Opinions and Reviews Sir Mortimer Wheeter ‘most admirable book... fila gxp and coves a wide range of historical and archaeological materia. Prof, AL, Basham: ignfcant contributions to know- xge and will remain standard textbook onthe subject for many Sears Dr Singh is particularly to be commended for his brillant command of the Engl language Prof, H. W.F. Saag, London “Your thesis, wherever Tam competent to judge, is very sound, and throughout is mort interesting and written in an elegant and Tei styles” Pro. EH, Warmington, London an excellent piece of work..showing sound scholarship, and careful aceuracy..an important contribution to knowledge, Prof. T. Burrow, Oxford in J-R.A-S, London The literary sources have been exhaustively stadid and quoted, andthe book conrtitetesa valuable work of referece..m addition {a literary evidence archaeological eidence has ben largely used. tis interesting to learn thatthe date For the introduction of ioa ia India bas to be pushed back earir than was previously thought, Since tis brings the archaeological and literary evidence into The work is distinguished for accuracy, as well as in many respects an original approach tothe subject." Prof R.S. Sharma, in J.ES.1.0. Hore, elephant, chariot, copper and iron are subjects which have to be tackled propery if we want to understand the material background of early Indian warfare. De Singh's book goes a long vray in doing tis, and undoubtedly be has something new to say on ach one ofthese pots. What i further important it that he links ‘up litay technology wth roca organisation ..An examination of| the inpact of military equipment and technology on soil structure isa weloome featare of the book Without doubt it an impressive piece of historical writing and shows Dr Singh asa historian of great promise.” MOTILAL BANARSIDAS Ancient Indian EEC SARVA DAMAN SINGH{Kem rA0RS that follow the author has pieced together all the available Srchacologeal data and madea thorough ‘ody ofthe entte range of Vedic literature fina bid to present forthe fist ime as ‘complete picture of warfareas these ‘sources permit. He deals witha period so far given sant attention, or none a ll. He stops where virtually ll the other writers onthe subject begin. ‘The Epic and Buddhist material hasbeen used to support, elucidate and complete the picture of the early period. The archaeological evidence hasbeen uted as fully as posible to add the weight of material proof to literary testimony. The ‘author explores the onsestcation of horses and elephants and their se for nilitary purposes; the invention of ‘wheeled Veicles and the bttle-chariot; the wie of metals for the manufacture of ‘weapon the nature of ancient arms and srmour; forts and fortfeations; military ‘order and orgaaistion; and the uneasy birth ofa moral consciousness evidenced {nthe development ofa code of war. nthe words ofa distinguished reviewer, “Vedic verses obviously do reflect the direct ‘human experience of thir authors, and in his selection of them Dr. Singh has constant appeal to thetsstimony of reali which objective archaeology bas ‘provided; the Vedas thereby stand Tevetled ss more generally reliable cultural source materlal thn they ae frequently ‘Supposed to be... Singhs clear statement leaves usin debt.” SBN s1-208-086-4 a. 95ANCIENT INDIAN WARFARE With Special Reference to the Vedic Period SARVA DAMAN SINGH ‘WITH A FOREWORD By SIR MORTIMER WHEELER, cur MOTILAL BANARSIDASS etki Varanasi Pama Bangalore Madras