Indian epics abound in detail on military strategies ,tactics and details of Battle formations of the army.
In preparation of the Mahabharata War, Lord Krishna used all the guile of Military Strategies.
Some of the Strategies.
Preventing Vidhura from entering the Battle field.
Sidelining Karna till the tenth day or the death of Bhishma.
Allotting his Vrushni Sena to Kauravs and Himself standing by the side of the Pandavas.
Misguiding on the Full Moon Day for the War Ritual of sacrifice.
Prevention of Karna from using the Nagastra twice;of making him fight only with Arjuna’of preventing him from using the Brahmastra;
making Karna part with his Punya pala on the Battle field;disarming his Kavacha and Kundala Armor;preveting him from attacking any of the pandavas other than Arjuna.
Use of Sikandi against Bhishma.
Announcement of the death of Aswathama by Yudhistira to kill Drona.
Hiding of the Sun by His Sudarshana to draw out Jayathratha.
There were some of the tactics by Lord Krishna used by Lord Krishna in preparation and during the Mahabharata War at Kurukshetra.
He was also instrumental in forming the Battle plans.
Indian Epics used advanced Battle Formations in War.
The List .
- Krauncha vyuha (heron formation)
- Makara vyuha (crocodile formation)
- Kurma vyuha (tortoise or turtle formation)
- Trishula vyuha (trident formation)
- Chakra vyuha (wheel or discus formation)
- Kamala vyuha or Padma vyuha (lotus formation)
- Garud vyuha (eagle formation)
- Oormi vyuha (ocean formation)
- Mandala vyuha (galaxy formation)
- Vajra vyuha (diamond or thunderbolt formation)
- Shakata vyuha (box or cart formation)
- Asura vyuha (demon formation)
- Deva vyuha (divine formation)
- Soochi vyuha (needle formation)
- Sringataka vyuha (horned formation)
- Chandrakala vyuha (crescent or curved blade formation)
- Mala vyuha (garland formation)
Each formation was met bya counter formation by the other side.
For instance , the Sarpa Vyuha was met with Garuda Vyuha(Serpent formation against Eagle.
The Heron Formation was usually met with Garuda or eagle Formation’Eagle is a Natural Enemy of Heron.
Note the Swoop of the Garuda, nullifying and swamping the posture of the Heron.
There were also courses to get into and out of each formation.
These were fought while being taught the Dhanur Vidya .
Source;
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Hello Sir, Thanks For this Valuable Information.I need full detailed information about war formations.if you have any references and articles please send the links.
Thankyou Sir.
Will be writing on this shortly.Source Ramayan of Valmiki and Vyasa Bharta
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