Ancient wisdom and modern warfare
While ancient wisdom is nothing to scoff at, and must be profitably imbibed, World now is a different battlefield; it needs updating. — Dr. Jaya Kakkar
The earliest wars in India were perhaps fought during Indus Valley Civilization; this hypothesis is confirmed by the fact that they built forts to defend themselves. Subsequently the Aryans battled against the natives. Later, during the ancient period, epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata detail the warfare trade of those times. In all periods wars of various denominations have been fought and the then accounts of these wars provide the craft of war prevailing during those times. Soldiers and animals were trained on one hand and strategies and tactics were designed to defeat the economy on the other.
During ancient times lot of emphasis was placed on physical fitness. Plus there was a rich tradition of games to maintain both mental and physical agility. There were specific games created around military tactics and strategy, such as Chaturanga, Ashtapada (Chess), archery, etc. Moreover, the officers, men, and handlers were taught subjects specific to their job.For example, a horse handler would learn about animal behavious, its control, etc. Officers were required to have knowledge about warfare, law and justice … Soldiers were taught how to fight as individuals and as combat units. At Gurukuls Dhanurveda or the art of fighting with weapons was taught to select few.
Military strategy was developed in the form of military science, which finds description in Agni Purana, Arthashastra, and other texts. Recently Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the project Udbhav which seeks to draw upon ancient Indian philosophy for drawing relevant lessons in the areas of diplomacy, statecraft, strategy, and warfare. Thus treatises like Arthashastra, Nitisara, Thirukkural, and others will be studied and analysed in great depth to learn significant axioms. This is in line with present regime’s thinking that our ancient past was very rich repository of knowledge and wisdom that needs to be re-explored, revisited, and rehabilitated. But can these ancient thinkers, such as Chanakya and Kamandaka, come to the aid of modern generals? Or is that these texts will be of little help – except for a self congratulatory message – in managing modern warfare? The Indian army with all vanity has decided to go deeper into “the profound depths of indigenous military systems, their evaluation, strategies … and the strategic thought processes that have governed the land for millennia.” Further it intends to “reintroduce classical teaching” and revitalize (ancient) knowledge creation.”
Undeniably Arthashastra contains valuable insights into state building, geo-strategy and military warfare. Likewise for some other texts, including those from south. But interestingly Army says that the classical texts written before the 8th century will be studied for this purpose. Why not texts after this period, especially in view of the fact that later periods (such as 11th and 15th centuries) were witness to great military transformations. No doubt Arthashastra can serve as a primer for state building. But not in present context. Arthashastra considers no cost big enough (such as assassinations, extreme violence, etc.) to ensure victory. Thus mainly two objections; how far Arthashastra can be contextualized in a modern democracy? And, two, are the polities and texts ruling after the ‘classical period of 8th century’ - as defined by Indian army – irrelevant to draw important lessons for modern statecraft? To be sure, it was medieval kingdoms that witnessed the developments of advanced cavalry, gunpower tactics, etc.; many of these have been adapted by Indian army. Hence focus nearly on ancient times seems somewhat shortsighted.
But the most weighty objections comes in the form of the fact that ancient texts were written about the state as it should be, not a state as it was. All of them kept in mind a totalitarian state which had a single minded pursuit; to continue and expand its boundaries at all costs. And yet all is not irrelevant. Such studies will be of use.
Wars, as they are conducted toady find their origin in the Napoleonic era whore mobile artillery, infantry, and cavalry were supported by engineers and logistics infrastructure. Later came the more sophisticated arms like rifle, machine guns, along with telegraph and better mean of transport. This changed both the battlefield and military tactics. Generals and admirals who conduct operations in today’s battle space continue to be guided by the strategies devised by military thinkers who studied this new form of war.
Later the world saw two major – world – wars which devastated many countries and reshaped their armies and respective strategies. To this was added the discovery of nuclear weapons which initiated the era of the cold war as against active physical engagements against one another. Not that such physical skirmishes/battles/wars have vanished all together – witness recent Russian – Ukraine and Israel – Hamas conflicts. Right since early 1950s many dependent nations and even independent ones, were witness to insurgencies. Indeed India has been continuously engaged in intra and inter border conflicts. Canadian Sikhs (some of them) support movement for Independence from India and dream of forming a Khalistan separate from India.
The short point is that now war is being fought on many fronts, including with one’s owns at times. There is no physical space, there is, in sight that can be demarcated as war zone. In the event no volume of human mind or technology support (Artificial Intelligence) can come to the aid of the ruling disposition in countering the enemy of the nation. No strategy is comprehensive enough, much less the ancient wisdom. The ancient wisdom may infact fail to provide you the workable strategy or tactical aid to guide a General or an admiral. There are simply too many fronts to be guarded. It is a very complex world. Hence ancient text can provide at based additional insights.
As we said the physical space is not limited to some limited ground; indeed its vast domain may not even be comprehensible. The array of arms and weapons, and their lethality, is mind boggling. Technology involved is advancing by the day. This has resulted in availability of innumerable permutation and combination of creative means to an opponent to equal/defeat us. The net lesson to draw therefore is that while ancient wisdom may be of some use, we infact require (political) leaders who are well versed in modern statecraft and (military) general who understand modern warfare.
To be sure, one must study ancient texts for their academic wisdom; one can even sharpen one’s intellect with them. But on the ground our leaders must study today’s global best practices and thoughts. There is a need to supplement knowledge about modern warfare with past wisdom, from all periods ancient and medieval.
Share This
