The Indian Great War-Bow plays a very large role in its mythology and national identity, but has largely disappeared from the pages of its history. A vast number of greatest Indian heros - from gods like Rama and Shiva, to mortal heros like Arjuna and Karna - boast the Great Indian War-Bow as their primary weapon. Indians outside Indian armies - like Cyrus the Great's Army, for example - were largely famed for their infantry (or chariot mounted infantry) armed with massive war-bows. Leadership - as gods (protecting Dharma), mortal princes, or mere captains - depended on the archer's prowess.
But within Indian history itself one finds only instances of bamboo bows used by very low-class/low-priority troops. Wonder why is that? Why no history of Indian Cercy or an Indian Agincourt? India had always had its worst enemies in form of superior horsemen, so why did it not deploy those war-bows in great numbers?
TECHNICAL QUESTION: Does the very high humidity of most of India render the bow useless except in seasons an army is sure to find dry weather? |