Revisiting the Ancient Indian Laws of Warfare and Humanitarian Laws

May 2, 2021 indiadmin 0 Comments

The ethics of war and the humane principles, related to the treatment of the vanquished, of the Vedic period, is buried under the debris of time. With the constant building up of war-oriented ideologies and power play pervading the minds of many in the current international system, it becomes a necessity to regress a little and understand if war was an unsaid norm or regarded as a ruler’s last option during the ancient period. In this context, it is also primal to analyze the extent to which the concepts in Hinduism have helped in the development of international humanitarian laws, the focus being to limit the suffering caused by war.

The Bhagavad Gita links chaturvarnya, or the four-class system in the society, to svadharma (an individual’s duty), svabhaava (inborn nature), and guna ( a natural tendency). The Kshatriya or the warrior class, based on the Kshatram Dharmam, was incharge of the protection of the society by fighting in wartime and governing in peacetime. The svadharma of this warriorc ommunity was to serve the country by participating in war. Nevertheless, the elite warrior class followed the path of dharma(righteousness) and was fully aware of the qualities of chivalry and nobility without inflicting an iota of damage to the principles of humanity.

The rules that governed a Kshatriya‘s conduct were broadly divided into saadharana svadharma (general rules) and svadharma(special rules). The primary and significant code of a warrior was pragyanam rakshanam i.e., to defend one’s country and be detached to the worldly pleasures that might be detrimental in defending the state. The laws of war that existed then were based on the dictums mentioned in the sacred texts, primarily the Dharmasutras and the Dharmashastras. These texts codified the laws that govern the waging of wars and the moral precepts, thus paving a way for the inception of the international humanitarian laws.

The modern humanitarian laws date back to middle nineteenth century but in reality, they root in the tradition of Sindhu valley,particularly the issue of Dharmayuddha and Adharmayuddha, declaration of war, special privileges to Hanuman as doot(messenger) in the Ramayana, etc.[1] The concept of Dharmayuddha is one of the strong pieces of thread that connectsSanathana Dharma and the ethical aspects of war evident from the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. The connection canalso be found in the Rig Veda, Manusmriti, and Kautilya‘s Arthashastra, although it was considered initially that “the source ofthe ‘Hindu law of armed forces’ was only Upanishads.” [2]

Kautilya, being a shrewd pragmatist, emphatically stressed the need for kind treatment of the vanquished people and their princes. He promised them security of their cattle and reinstatement of those who were “possessed of good treasury and army.”[3]. An efficient propounder of policies for the king, Sukra went a step ahead and laid down salaries and allowances for the defeated princes and their dependents.[4] He recommended leaving them free by fixing the quantum of tribute.[5]

These notions or ideals followed by the ancient political scholars can be traced to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949. As for the kind treatment of the vanquished people and their princes, Part II of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War can be associated. Part II of the same deals with the General Protection of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 13 regarding the humane treatment of prisoners.

The ancient literature annotates that “where submission was proffered, a quarter was readily given; the people of the country were permitted the exercise of their own creeds and laws, and natives were sometimes placed in responsible situations of the government.”[6] If the term ‘quarter’ used here is interpreted in terms of money, it can be linked with Part III, Section IV dealing with the Financial Resources of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 58 regarding ready money. If the term ‘quarter’ is interpreted in terms of conditions of stay, it can be linked with Part III, Section II, Chapter II dealing with the Quarters, Food and Clothing of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 25 regarding quarter.

The rule of international humanitarian law not to attack civilians during warfare is similar to that purported in the Manusmriti. Manu lays down that “one who surrenders or is without arms or is sleeping or is naked, or with hair united (i.e.unprepared) or an onlooker (non-combatant) must never be killed,” irrespective of whether the opponent was a believer or anarya or a yavana (alien non-believer) or whether he was fighting a just war or not.[7] It can be well understood from this rule that the civilians, prisoners of war, and the warriors who are unprepared can be covered under this rule and cannot be killed.

According to Manu, “persons walking on the road, not participating in the conflict, or mere travelers, or those who are engaged in eating and drinking or pursuing their special avocations or activities or diplomatic errands and of course the Brahmins, unless they are engaged in war” were not to be killed. This can be traced to the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, Part I dealing with the General Provisions and specifically, Article 4 regarding the definition of protected persons.

The practice of taking prisoners of war dates back to the Aitareya Brahmana which records, once ten thousand women prisoners belonging to wealthy homes were brought from other countries and bestowed upon Brahmanas in token of the conquest of the quarters. The practice was universal and was known to the Hittites and the Assyrians. A large number of prisoners used to be put to the sword even during the Vedic age. If maidens were among the prisoners of war, they were courteously treated and were induced to marry persons of the conqueror’s choice. If they declined the offer, they were sent back to their homes under proper escort. Hospitality, the sacredness of the refugee, the law not to forget a kindness or a hurt, and not to refuse to fight when challenged, are some features of fair fighting according to the epic code.[8] This is much similar to the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, Part II dealing with the General Protection of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 14 regarding respect for the person of prisoners.

Also, taking the war casualties into account, the evidence available in the ancient Indian literature proves that it was the duty of the sovereign to look after the welfare of families of those who had laid down their lives at the altar of the state.

With respect to the principle of distinction, the laws of war in ancient India drew a clear distinction between the civilians and the belligerents. This same principle is found in Article 48 of Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), 8 June 1977, while Article 51 thereof protects civilians from military operations.

Furthermore, Manu laid down certain principles that should be followed by both warring parties such as combat between equals, prohibition of collective attacks against a single soldier, and the forbiddance of slaying a warrior who was temporarily ata disadvantage during battle. According to the Manu smriti, a conqueror must grant remissions on taxes and not loot the conquered territory. He must also not be vengeful but should offer an amnesty to those who surrender.

The rules laid down in the Rig Veda maintain that it is unjust to strike someone from behind, cowardly to poison the tip of the arrow, and heinous to attack the sick or old, children, and women. This can be related with the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of August 12, 1949, Part II dealing with the General Protection of Populations against Certain Consequences of War and specifically, Article 24 regarding measures relating to child welfare.

In the Ramayana, a classic example of the observance of humanitarian principles can be found when Lakshmana, in the war against Ravana, was forbidden by Rama to use a weapon of war which had the potential to destroy the entire race of enemy including those who did not bear arms, though Ravana was fighting an unjust war, Adharmayuddha. Another example can befound in the Mahabharata when Arjuna, observing the laws of war, refrained from using an ultra-destructive weapon Pasupathastra in a conventional war, for when fighting was restricted to ordinary conventional weapons, the use of extraordinary or unconventional types was immoral, besides contravening religious tenets or the recognized laws of warfare.[9] This is very much akin to the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, Part III, Section II,Chapter VI dealing with Discipline and specifically, Article 42 regarding the use of weapons.

It is true that the Rig Veda refers to Dasas (slaves) and the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata refer to enslavement of war prisoners but it is also equally true that Smriti (remembered texts that are a codified component of Hindu customary law,different from Shruti which encapsulate Dharma through listening or hearing), condemn slavery and the Agni Purana clearly forbids the enslavement of prisoners which again is similar to the Geneva Convention Relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War of August 12, 1949, Part II dealing with the General Protection of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 14 regarding respect for the person of prisoners.

Also, some of the humanitarian aspects of the warfare rules put forth in the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata have a striking similarity with the laws in the present international system notably, Chapter II dealing with the Quarters, Food and Clothing of Prisoners of War and specifically, Article 26 regarding food; Chapter III dealing with the Hygiene and Medical Attention and specifically, Article 30 regarding medical attention; and Article 31 regarding medical inspections. The prisoners of war were generally to be accorded generous treatment. In the epoch of the Brahmanas, the fettered prisoner was sent out of the king domand was permitted to remain on the outskirts. Sometimes the captive agreed to become a slave of the captor for a period of one year after which he became a free man. According to the Mudraaraakshasa, Kautilya set free the prisoners who were captured in war by the king Chandragupta.

It was the policy of the ancient Hindus that once in the field of action, the enemy could be subjected to rigor. But after the cessation of hostilities, the victor should behave in such a way as to secure the advancement of all, including the subjects of the enemy’s kingdom.[10] The Arthashastra also has a policy which states that the subjects of the vanquished monarch were allowed to retain their own laws and customs, as any violation of these would result in a mass rebellion. In a way, the laws of war in ancient India with regard to occupied territory were more humane and broader than those of today.

As far as envoys were concerned, a discussion between Ravana and his brother Vibhishana in the Ramayana elucidates the inviolability of an ambassador. Ravana planned to kill ambassador Hanuman, who appeared at his court on behalf of Rama. His brother Vibhishana reminded him that if he did kill the ambassador, he would be acting against Rajadharma (the duty of kings).[11] This can be traced as a root to the present day conventions and practices with regard to the sanguine principles and privileges of an ambassador especially, with respect to the Vienna convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 regulating diplomatic immunities and privileges. Though a diplomat’s vision was only of a short duration in the ancient period and would end on completion of the agenda, it still holds relevance to the present day practices.

The ancient Indian literature has the potential for extraordinary development albeit at times, being considered as mythologicalby the Western scholars. As far as the international humanitarian laws are concerned, The Hague Conventions of 1899 and1907, Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 can be traced to the laws given in Manusmriti, epic codes and the war rules of Mahabharata, and the codes on diplomatic relations in Ramayana,respectively.

Sanathana Dharma recognizes the concept of humanitarian law in an indirect manner but with clarity. It restricts the means and the methods of warfare without causing harm to civilians or the protected persons. It indicates towards the forever demand of such regulation for the control of the armed race. The best example is the concept of Dharmayuddha which gives a humanitarian touch to warfare. It equally and sufficiently clears that, in terms of the ideals of humanitarianism of ancient India,the laws of war were more progressive.

In compliance with the Vedic literature, the crux regarding war is that it cannot be eradicated but ennobled. And this can be done only if men of good will foregather, if men forget the pride of race and birth which history, unfortunately, tries indirectly to preach,if men apply their minds honestly to the task of regeneration of mankind and if humanity adheres to the fundamentals of allreligions and strives to foster the spirit of brotherhood.

1.Agni Purana

2.Kautilya, Arthashastra

3.Manu, Manusmriti

4.Rig Veda

5.Sukra, Sukraniti

6.Vyasa, Mahabharata

7.The Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, International Committee of the Red Cross publicationEndnotes:[1] Gaurav Arora, Gunveer Kaur, Supritha Prodaturi, Vinayak Gupta, “International Humanitarian Law and Concept ofHinduism“, Zenith, International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 2 Issue 2, Feb. 2012, ISSN 22315780, p.2[2]. Francois Bugnion, “Customary International Humanitarian Law”, ISIL Yearbook of International Humanitarian and RefugeeLaw Vo. 7, p. 1[3] Kautilya, “Arthashastra”, Book VII, Ch. XVI[4] Gustav Salomon Oppert, “On the Weapons, Army Organisation, and Political Maxims of the Ancient Hindus: With SpecialReference to Gunpowder and Firearms”, Cornell University Library, 2009 p. 139[5] Ibid p. 114[6] Sir Henry Miers Elliot, “The History of India: As Told by Its Own Historians. The Muhammadan Period”, Volume 1 edited byJohn Dowson, Trübner and Company Publishers, 1867 p. 433 [7] Nagendra Singh, “India and International Law”, S. Chand & Co., New Delhi, p. 4

[8] V.R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, “War in ancient India”, Motilal Banarsidass Publications, New Delhi, 1987 p. 72

[9] Penna, op. cit., p. 191-192

[10] Vyasa, “Mahabharata”, Shanti Parva, 96.12-13

[11] Manoj Kumar Sinha, “Hinduism and International Humanitarian Law”, International Review of the Red Cross, Volume 87,No. 858, June 2005, p.292

Article is written by Radhika RV, who holds a Post Graduate degree in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai. She can be reached at her LinkedIn and Twitter and is originally published in www.indrastra.com (http://www.indrastra.com/2017/03/Revisiting-Ancient-Indian-Laws-of-Warfare-Humanitarian-Laws-003-03-2017-0060.html) is reproduced with due acknowledgement of their and authors copy rights.

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