Indian Army turns to ancient texts to prepare for wars of the future
Indian Army, with a strength of 12 lakhs, is embarking on a journey to tap into the rich reservoir of ancient Indian wisdom in statecraft, strategy, diplomacy, and warfare to prepare itself for the challenges of the future.
This endeavor, known as "Project Udbhav," represents an initiative by the Army to rediscover India's heritage of statecraft and strategic thought as drawn from ancient Indian texts. In collaboration with the United Service Institution of India (USI), the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) conducted its inaugural hybrid seminar under this project, titled «Evolution of Indian military systems, war-fighting, and strategic thought – current research in the field and way forward.»
While the project has garnered interest and support, some veterans have raised questions about the applicability of deep-rooted Indian strategic concepts in the context of modern and future conflicts.
Nonetheless, the Army remains optimistic about Project Udbhav, emphasizing its mission to bridge the historical and the contemporary by delving into India's rich historical narratives in statecraft and strategic thinking.
This initiative aligns with the government's directive to modernize and shed «vestiges of the colonial era» in the armed forces.
Project Udbhav takes a comprehensive approach, encompassing indigenous military systems, historical texts, regional texts and kingdoms, thematic studies, and a focus on the works of ancient strategists like Kautilya. Its aim is not only to rediscover these narratives but also to develop an indigenous strategic vocabulary deeply rooted in India's diverse philosophical and cultural heritage, which can be integrated into modern military education.
The project, which began in 2021, has
