Weapons - Their History and Features across the Culture and Time [Part-1]

 Hello Everyone !!

From the dawn of civilization, weapons have been more than mere instruments of war — they have embodied power, faith, artistry, and identity. Across cultures and centuries, they appear not only as tools of survival and conquest but also as sacred symbols in scriptures, religious texts, and epic tales. The thunderbolt of Zeus, the bow of Arjuna, the sword of Solomon, or the spear of Odin — each reflects a society’s values, fears, and aspirations.

As humanity advanced, weapons evolved from stone and bronze to steel and gunpowder, eventually shaping the course of modern history. They became markers of technological progress, geopolitical dominance, and cultural identity. Yet, beyond their destructive potential, weapons often carried ceremonial, spiritual, and symbolic weight — serving as emblems of justice, divine will, or national pride.

This series will explore the fascinating journey of weapons across time: their origins in myth and legend, their role in ancient civilizations, and their transformation into the complex instruments of modern warfare. By tracing their history, we uncover not just the evolution of battle, but the story of humanity itself — our creativity, our conflicts, and our enduring quest for meaning through the tools we wield.

Dhanurveda :

# The 5 branches of Archery :--

I) Prayog-vidhi
Using hurling or launching a weapon

II) Upsanhara-vidhi
To recall or withdraw the arrow already launched

III) Avarti-vidhi
To prevent distressing effects of thrown arrow/ astra

IV) Prayaschita-vidhi
The ability of archer to bring back to life any innocents killed by his weapon

V) Priatighat-vidhi
The ability to absorb powers of an incoming arrow/ astra, repulse and turn it back to the attacker.

# The Astras were operated by mantras chant, fire, gas, electricity and machines

# The 3 categories of Shastras (hand-held and thrown weapons) :--
Cutting/ blade, stab, blunt

# The 4 categories of battle :-- 

Category-I : (Shukra-neeti text)

• Daivikam
• Asuram
• Manavam
• Bahuyuddha

Category-II : 

• Daivika (divine weapons)
• Asuram (nalika weapons)
• Manavam (astra, shastra)

Category-III : (Agni-purana text)

• Uttama (bow & arrows)
• madhyam (Prasa/ sword)
• adhama (sword)
• adhama-adhama (unarmed combat)

Category-IV (Shukra-neeti)

• Uttama (divine weapons)
• madhyama (firearms)
• adhama (shastra)
• adhama-adhama (unarmed combat)

# Archery :--

• Arrow heads were made of iron and shaft made of reed and bamboo
• Name of the warrior was carved on them
• With a fine bow, an arrow could attain a speed of 80 miles/sec and could kill an enemy at a distance of 180-metre
• Forbidden arrows to use are fire-arrow and poisoned
• 10 types of arrow-heads were used in the Mahabharata war
• There are 10 styles of archery mentioned in the text

# Shastras :--

   -- Amukta weapons (20 types)

Vajra, pattisa sword, Isu (hand sword), Parashu, Gosiras spear, Asidhenu dagger, Lavitra sickle, Kunta dart, sthuna, prasa, Pinaka (trident), gada, mudgara, sira, musala, pattisa, Maustika (fist sword), parigha (battering ram), Mayukhi staff, Sataghni

   -- Mukta weapons (12 types)

Bow & arrows, Sataghni, bindipala (club), sakti (spear), drughana (staff/ club), tomara club, nalika, laguda (club), pasa, chakram, dantakanta, musundi club.

# Ancient India Warfare Facts :

• The bows of gods are heavier and superior to those of humans. [Dhanur veda, 1744]
• A bow of 5-1/2 cubits is considered best and the type is divine one [Dhanur veda, 1745]
• That divine bow was held originally by Lord Shiva (Satyuga) → Rama (Treta yuga) → Drona → Arjuna → Satyaki in Dwapar yuga.
• 1 Akshauhini = 21,870 soldiers
• 1 maha-Akshauhini = 2,44,121
• Astra (all Mukta weapons), Shastra (all Amukta weapons)
• The 3 kinds of weapons :-- (Neeti Prakashaka text, 9-12th cen.)
  Mukta, amukta, mantra-mukta
• The 2 categories of weapons :-- (Yukti Kalapatru text, 11-12th cen.)
  Masikam, Nirmayam
• The 5 ways of overcoming any warrior :--
  I) Cut down his bow/ string of bow
  II) Destroy his chariot
  III) Cut down the armor
  IV) Kill chariot horses
  V) Kill the charioteer
• The 7 categories of warriors :--
  I) Pagi (foot soldier/ infantry)
  II) Ardha rati (1 chariot warrior)
  III) Rathi (capable of attacking 5,000 chariot warriors)
  IV) Ati-rathi (capable of attacking 12 rathis)
  V) Maha-rathi (capable of attacking 12 Ati-rathi)
  VI) Ati-maharathi (capable of attacking 12 Maha-rathis)
  VII) Maha-maharathi (capable of attacking 24 Ati-maharathi)
• Maha-rathis are master of all forms of weapons, combat skills, vyuha (battlefield formation) and strategies
• Predominant weapons used by different castes :-- (Dhanur veda, 1720)
  I) Brahmin - Bow & arrows
  II) Kshatriya - sword
  III) Vaishya - lance
  IV) Shudra - mace & clubs
• Different methods of fighting :--
  Fighting with hands has its 7 divisions being carried out by -- (Dhanur veda, 1721)
  1. Bow & arrows
  2. Chakram
  3. lance
  4. sword (32 movements)
  5. knife/ Churika
  6. Mace/ gada (20 ways of handling)
  7. Bare hands
• The 4 types of preceptors :-- (Dhanur veda, 1722)
  1. Saptayuddha - well versed in the 7 forms of fighting
  2. Bhargava - well versed in 4 forms 
  3. Yoddha - well versed in 2 forms
  4. Ganaka - well versed in 1 form
• The 6-fold Army :--
  Chariot, elephant, horse, infantry, Commissariat, Admiralty 

# Indian Martial Arts in Texts :

• Dhanur veda (Agni Purana)
• 130 classes of weapons (military accounts of Gupta empire)
• 107 vital spots of body (Sushruta samhita)
• Malla purana (13th cen.)
• Silambam (4th cen. BC Sangam literature)
• Kalaripayattu martial arts (3rd cen. BC)

# Weapons used by Rakshasas in Ramayana :

Club, lance, mace, bow & arrow, axe, spear, sword, Chakram, power-dart, power bolt, harpoons

# Weapons used by the Exotic tribes :

1. Devas :--

Bow & arrows, sword, spear, dart, chakra, Mayavi/illusionary powers

2. Nagas :--
Bow & arrows, sword, axe, Mayavi powers

3. Gandharva :--

Bow & arrows, mace, dart, spear, axe, sword, broadsword

4. Asura, Daityas, Danava, Rakshas :--

Bow & arrows, club, hammer, noose, iron-bar, lance, mace, spear, power dart, power bolt, harpoon, musala, trident, axe, hatchet, sword, scimitar, daggers, Chakram, Mayavi powers

# Firearms and Cannons in Scriptures :

• Called "Shataghni"
• Cannons deployed in Ayodhya [Ramayana I.5.11]
• Mahabharata verses :--
  -- Viduragamana parva (I.199)
  --  Hand-cannons and handguns (I.226.25)
  -- Big catapults and cannons used by Raksasas in Khandava dahan (I.1.CCXXIX)

# Indian Melee Weapons : (Silambam and Kalari)

Maduvu (deer horn knife), Aruval (billhook), kattu-katai (spiked knuckleduster), knife, Katar, Kuttuval dagger, Sedikuchi (pair of 3' sticks)

# Rajput Warriors : (Deadliest Warriors TV)
    -- Year active - 900 AD
    -- Height - 5'10
    -- Weapons :--
        Khanda (sword), gurj mace, tabar (axe), bhuj (knife), Chakram, katar (push-dagger)

# Maratha Warrios : 

    -- Years active - 1674-1818

    -- Average height - 5'6

    -- Weapons :--
        Firangi (sword), club, spear, daggers, bow & arrow, Bagh-nakh, axe, Gurj (mace), dand-patta (gauntlet sword), Katar, Bichwa, Jambiya dagger, khanjar

# Gada/ mace club :

• Made of iron
• 4 types are Rakshepa, vikshepa, abhikshepa, parikshepa
• 20 ways of handling
• The 3 varieties -- (Artha Shastra text, 2.18)
  Musala, yasti, gada
• Length -- 22.5" to 37.5" [Ausansa Dhanurveda text, Pg# 39-40)
• It has 12 techniques [Agni Purana, 252.11-12]

# Asi/ sword :

• Made of iron
• 32 types of movements
• Dimension - 50"x4"
• It has 8 characteristics -- affording wealth, cruel, fearful, fiery, giving victory, powerful, source of maintaining Dharma, unassailable

# Parashu/ battle axe :

• Length -- 36"-60"
• Blade of steel and wooden handle
• 6 ways of handling it
• It couldbe double-edge, single-edge with spike

Sikh Melee Weapons :

Katar dagger, kard (knife), Bagh-nakh, Kirpan, kara (steel bracelet), trident-head

Mughal Weapons :

# Sword & shield, mace, battle ax, spear, Katar dagger, Jamadhar, khanjar, peshkabz

# Ranged :--
Bow & arrows, matchlock gun, rocket, pistol, cannon

Angels (Christianity) - Sword

Thank you for Reading !!