Essay name: Archaeology and the Mahabharata (Study)
Author:
Gouri Lad
Affiliation: Deccan College Post Graduate And Research Institute / Department of AIHC and Archaeology
This study examines the Mahabharata from an archaeological perspective. The Maha-Bbharata is an ancient Indian epic written in Sanskrit鈥攊t represents a vast literary work with immense cultural and historical significance. This essay aims to use archaeology to verify and contextualize the Mahabharata's material aspects.
Chapter 14 - Weapons
31 (of 123)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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Nothing is said about the size and the shape of
these carmas, except for a 'trikuta carma' (XII.160.49),
probably a triangular sheild with 3 edges. On the other
hand, 'trikuta' might also refer to three sharp projections
of metal jutting out from the outer surface, serving as
decorations as well as piercing knobs. A few sheilds as
noted above, were broader and larger than usual. These
kinds were not carried by the soldiers, but placed on
fortifications of cities like Dwarka (III.16.5) to protect
the walls effectively.
The sheild was used mainly as a protection and a
cover during sword-fights, to ward-off the blows of the
sword, and is therefore continuously paired with a sword
(1.102.17; II.66.14; III.120.17; V.162.20; VI.44.34; VII.
46.21; VIII.32.65; IX.25.15; XII.99.31).
The
However, it was also used as a cover against
arrows (VI.49.34). Arjuna faced the arrows of Angarpar峁嘺
Yak峁, armed only with a torch and a sheild (I.158.23).
In the same way Bhima fought his way out of a seige of
chariots, taking the arrows on his sheild (VI.50.25).
sheild in this capacity is referred to as 'saravarana' (VI.
56.17, 57.30; VII.35.23; 138.17). Skill at weilding the
sword and the sheild together is best illustrated by the
description of Abhimanyu's last-ditch fight, when he
whirled them both around with such speed, swiftness and
vigour, that his opponents were unable to make out the one
