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Source: The post is based on the article “Can Generals Chanakya, Kamandaka, Thiruvalluvar Help?” published in “The Times of India” on 23rd October 2023.
Syllabus: GS1- Art and culture- literature from ancient times & GS3- Security
News: The article discusses the Indian army’s Project Udbhav, which uses ancient Indian texts for strategy lessons. It argues that while these texts offer valuable wisdom, modern warfare demands understanding contemporary tactics and technologies. Studying ancient texts alone won’t address today’s military challenges.
What is Project Udbhav?
Initiator: Launched by India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh.
Inspiration: Draws from significant ancient Indian treatises. Examples include: Chanakya’s Arthashastra, Kamandaka’s Nitisara, Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural.
Primary Objective: To extract lessons on statecraft, strategy, diplomacy, and warfare rooted in ancient Indian philosophy.
Connection to Modern Warfare: The project seeks to integrate ancient wisdom with contemporary military strategy.
Relevance: While Project Udbhav is a commendable academic pursuit enhancing understanding and pride in ancient wisdom, the article underscores a cautionary note. It emphasizes that the challenges of today’s warfare are vastly different and may not align entirely with the teachings of these old texts.
Why is there skepticism about relying on ancient texts?
Modern Complexity: Modern warfare has intricacies that ancient texts might not address.
Evolution of Warfare: Military strategy has evolved since the Napoleonic era, influenced by advancements like mobile artillery, muskets, and sophisticated logistics.
Influential Thinkers: Modern strategists like Carl von Clausewitz and Antoine-Henri Jomini have shaped current military strategies, focusing on the nuances of contemporary warfare.
Changing Battle Landscape: 19th-century innovations, such as rifles, machine guns, and the telegraph, revolutionized the battlefield, moving beyond the scope of ancient teachings.
Limited Practicality: Ancient proverbs, while wise, might not offer practical solutions or tactics for modern warfare’s vast and multifaceted domains.
Modern Warfare Challenges: With the advent of technologies like AI and advanced weaponry, warfare demands current understanding, possibly beyond the grasp of ancient wisdom.
Question to practice:
Critically examine the efficacy of using ancient Indian treatises like Chanakya’s Arthashastra and Thiruvalluvar’s Thirukkural in the formulation and execution of modern-day military strategy in the context of Project Udbhav.
