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OPINION DECEMBER 01, 2023 | The Indian Eye 10

Mahabharata:

A Strategic Overview of

the Indian Epic

The Mahabharata is not a prescriptive text nor is it a myth or a tale, nor is it merely a story about war and

warfighting. The epic is guided by the overarching principle of idealism and its functional implementation
through realism. It focuses on the concept of dharma as guidance for force application

VIVEK CHADHA seen from the prism of history and This Brief will attempt to ad- been one of the pioneer institutions
sociological development and there- and studies on these subjects have
he recent past has witnessed fore are “more a guide for political dress some of the misgivings been on for well over a decade. Inter-
an animated debate around leadership”. Three, “fascination with voiced in opposition to the estingly, user response to research at
Tthe relevance of ancient Indi- the study of ancient texts is at best an MP-IDSA further suggests that these
an texts for modern militaries. Mul- academic exercise in self-pride”. study of ancient Indian texts themes have consistently remained
tiple opinions were voiced soon after The misgivings voiced by some and simultaneously highlight amongst the most read, indicating
the launch of Project Udbhav by the senior commentators and military interest from a wide cross-section of
Indian Army. The project “aims to professionals raised fundamental their strategic significance, us- national and international audiences.
delve into India’s military history, questions regarding the study of an- ing the Mahabharata as a case It is pertinent to quote the US
strategy, and strategic concepts, fos- cient texts, especially by military of- War College course guide in this
tering an indigenous strategic culture ficers at two levels. Is the Indian en- study. context. The curriculum includes the
rooted in our rich heritage”. deavour to study ancient texts unique study of “ancient masters” to better
The critique that emerged point- and founded on a questionable intel- The answer to the first question understand their thoughts on “the
ed out misgivings at multiple levels. lectual foundation? Further, is the is perhaps easier to formulate. The nature and character of war, and
This included “the irrelevance of an- study of ancient texts relevant in study of ancient texts is neither new about strategy”. It goes on to say that
cient weapons, tactics and military modern times, wherein, warfare has nor a recent initiative. The Manohar “we do so not simply to find historical
planning for a ‘tech-heavy battle- undergone a perceptible change in Parrikar Institute for Defence Stud- perspective, but because these theo-
field’”. Two, ancient texts should be character? ies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) has Continued on next page... >>

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