Many specimens of weapons have been discovered in the ruins of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, most of which were mainly used for hunting. A. D. Pusalker lists that remains of “axes, spears, daggers, bows, arrows, maces, slings, perhaps catapults and swords” have been found. They were made of copper or bronze. Daggers and knives are long and leaf-shaped, either single- or double- edged. Arrow heads were thin and had long barbs. Maces similar to those used in Egypt and Mesopotamia at that time were also used; these were made of alabaster, sandstone or limestone.    

With the coming of the Aryans, the Indus valley civilisation was phased out and India was in the Vedic age until the rise of Buddhism and Jainism in the 6^th century.  The land was soon subdivided into different dynasties and kingdoms, and skirmishes often took place to capture territory.

The Rigveda, one of four books that tell us about this period, mentions the state of warfare at that time. The dominant weapon was the bow and arrow. The arrowheads were made of metal. Accounts of poisoned horn arrowheads are also known. Lances, spears and slings were used along with swords and axes. As for armour, leather guards for the forearms were used to prevent rope burn fron the bowstring. Chain mail and helmets are also mentioned.

Siege warfare mainly consisted of setting fire to walls of opposing territory. However, a “moving fort” has been mentioned which might have been a battering ram or siege machine of sorts.

Armour and shields: Armour of metal and leather became widespread with the invasions from the north-west (200 BCE – 200 CE). Shields had a frame of bent cane and were covered with either metal or leather. Helmets were rarely used; the Indian soldiers relied on the thick folds of cloth of the turbans they wore.

 Accounts of the Mauryan period (ca. 320 – 180 BCE) describe bows as being made of bamboo; they were about five feet long and shot cane arrows. Swords were made in different styles, the two-edged long sword being a favourite. Lances, maces and battle-axes were also used.

War elephants are first described in the Magadha kingdom (ca. 5^th century BCE). They were specially trained and walked ahead of the infantry, breaking through enemy lines and flattening walls, gates and barriers. They wore leather armour and often had metal-tipped tusks.  One account describes swords attached to elephants’ trunks which wreaked havoc on a large scale.

 Most siege weaponry, mainly seen after the Mauryan kingdom, was borrowed from the west and as such was not unique. A special feature of Indian warfare was the use of incendiary fireballs, missiles and bombs to set fire to enemy camps.