How Dharma Shapes Strategic Thought On War in the Mahabharata

Download [PDF]

The Occasional Paper employs the dharmic viewpoint of the Mahabharata to derive the fundamental elements of ancient Indian strategic thought. It evaluates the role of dharma as it shapes war as a defining element of strategic thought. The Occasional Paper introduces a framework for a comprehensive understanding of the approach to war. It argues that the diverse scope of dharma successfully reconciles the seemingly contradictory conditions accompanying the conceptualization, preparation and conduct of wars. Finally, the core tenets that emerge from the Occasional Paper find resonance in India’s contemporary approach towards issues of national security.

About the Author

CV: Col Vivek Chadha (Retd) is a Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA). His research interests include counter-terrorism, military change, integration of the armed forces and ancient indigenous studies with a focus on The Mahabharata. He coordinates the activities of the Military Centre and is the Managing Editor of the Journal of Defence Studies. Col Chadha has authored seven books.