Military System in Northern India (study)
by Prabhakar Tyagi | 2015 | 78,956 words
This is a study dealing with the Military System in Northern India (606 A.D-1206 A.D). It is shown how self-preservation instincts has led to the development of weapons and strategies to defend territory and nation. The thesis focuses on Northern India from the reign of Harsha to Qutubuddin Aibek. It is further discussed how strategic planning and ...
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Part 6 - The Mace (in ancient Indian warfare)
Mace (club), a very heavy weapon of close-combat, was a prominent weapon of ancient India. According to Plutarch, Alexander “received a blow on his neck from a club” during the storming of the Malloi capital.[1] Ancient works describe three varieties of the clubs namely, musala (pointed rod made of khadira), yashti (similar to musala) and gada (a long and heavy rod). It was made of iron as well as wood.[2] But according to the Nitiprakashika, it was made of sharp iron, had broad head with 100 spikes and its sides were also fitted with spikes. “It is a formidable weapon, four cubits long, and its body equals a carriage-axle in measure. The head is adorned with a crest; it is covered with a golden belt, and is able to crush elephants and mountains.”[3] Twenty different motions are ascribed to the gada. By means of gunpowder it was also thrown out as a projectile.[4]
Shukra describes the mace as of octagonal in shape, of breast’s height and having strong handle.[5] The Ausanasa Dhanurveda prescribes fifty, forty and thirty angulas length for the best, the middling and the worst mace, respectively. As far as its shape is concerned it could be pear-shaped, quadrilateral and like the palmyra root.[6] Lot of strength and stamina was the first requisite for wielding of the mace which had peculiar movements and manoeuvres of its own. It could be hurled at the foe from a distance as well as could engage the enemy at a close proximity. It could be revolved about in the midst of foes and could smite the enemy in front.[7] Twenty movements listed by the Salyaparva[8] have also been adopted with approval by Nitiprakasika.[9] Besides, musala, yashti and gada of the Arthasastra, G.N. Pant includes, parigha, mudgara, sthuna, laguda, musundi (bhusundi) and drughana also under the general category of maces. While describing the army of Harsa on march, Bana mentions “furiously running crowds armed with clubs...” and striking hares like polo-balls.[10]
The use of mace as a weapon was considered very respectable and the epithet of gadahasta was adopted by a number of kings. One such instance is provided by Dewai stone inscription of Bhima (921-60 AD).[11]
In a war between Mahipala and Masud, when the latter was talking to Sharfu-l-Mulk, Gopala, son of Mahipala gave him a severe blow with his mace. As a result, Masud broke his nose and lost two of his teeth.[12]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
AS., Bk. II, Ch. XVIII.
[2]:
Niti, V, 29-30; Oppert, Gustav, op. cit., p. 20.
[3]:
Sukraniti, Ch. IV, Sec. VII, 1.424; Chakravarty, op. cit., p. 169.
[4]:
Ausanasa Dhanurveda, pp. 39-40.
[5]:
MBH, Adiparva, 68, 12.
[6]:
Ibid, 57, 1666.
[7]:
Nitiprakashika, V, 31-34.
[8]:
Bana, op. cit., p. 188-209.
[9]:
Ep. Ind., 219, p. 299.
[10]:
Haihar Niwas Dwivedi, Dill Ke Tomar (736-1193 AD), Vol. I. Hindi, Gwalior, p. 233.
[11]:
Nitiprakashika, V. 15.17; II, 19.
[12]:
RV, I. 168.3.