New Delhi: Rediscovering ancient Indian statecraft, warcraft and strategies — that is what the Army plans to do through its newly launched ‘Project Udbhav’.
Taking its cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2021 speech urging the armed forces to “rid themselves of legacy systems and practices that have outlived their utility and relevance”, the Army concluded a hybrid panel discussion Friday under Project Udbhav.
The discussion, held in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India (USI), was on the topic ‘Evolution of Indian Military Systems, Warfighting and Strategic Thought—Current Research in the Field and Way Forward’.
In his address at the Combined Commanders’ Conference in Kevadia, Gujarat in March 2021, Modi stressed the importance of enhancing indigenisation in the national security system — not just in sourcing equipment and weapons but also in the doctrines, procedures and customs.
Significantly, Project Udbhav aims to “rediscover the profound Indic heritage of statecraft and strategic thoughts derived from ancient Indian texts of statecraft, warcraft, diplomacy and grand strategy”, a press release from the Ministry of Defence said.
The initiative stood testimony to the Indian Army’s recognition of the country’s “age-old wisdom in statecraft, strategy, diplomacy and warfare”, the press statement said.
“At its core, Project Udbhav seeks to bridge the historical and the contemporary. The goal is to understand the profound depths of indigenous military systems, their evolution, strategies that have been passed down through the ages, and the strategic thought processes that have governed the land for millennia,” the statement said, adding that the overall aim “is to integrate age-old wisdom with modern military pedagogy”.
The scope of Friday’s discussion encompassed discussions on ancient texts from the 4th century BCE to the 8th century CE, with a focus on Kautilya, Kamandaka, and the Kural (Classic Tamil text, Thirukkural), the statement said.
The discussion comes at a time when the Indian armed forces are taking several measures to decolonise. Last year, the Army decided to end colonial practices such as horse-driven buggies at functions and pulling out ceremonies, which involves the vehicle of an officer getting pulled by the officers and troops in the unit on their posting or retirement. It also decided to review the names of regiments, buildings, roads, and uniform ceremonies.
The army has also been supporting a project that comprises compiling Indian stratagems based on ancient texts. A book called Paramparik Bhartiya Darshan…Ranniti aur Netriyta ke Shashwat Niyam — translated in English as Traditional Indian Philosophy…Eternal Rules of Warfare and Leadership — was published in 2022. It lists 75 aphorisms selected from ancient texts.
It’s not only the Army that’s making changes to its practices. At the launch of INS Vikrant — India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier — last September, Modi unveiled a new naval ensign (flag) that reportedly drew inspiration from the Maratha king, Shivaji. The ensign had dropped the vertical red stripe denoting the Cross of St George, which has been around since the colonial era. Instead, it now bears the Navy’s own emblem and motto.
In addition, the Indian Navy is also considering allowing specific traditional Indian attire in messes, wardrooms and institutes.
(Edited by Uttara Ramaswamy)
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