Army’s Project Udbhav aims to uncover ‘Indic heritage of statecraft’ from ancient texts

Project Udbhav, a collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI), aims to explore ancient Indian texts on statecraft, warcraft, diplomacy, and grand strategy. The goal is to rediscover India’s rich heritage in these areas. As part of this initiative, a military heritage festival will be held on October 21 and 22. This festival intends to educate future leaders about comprehensive national security, with a special focus on India’s strategic culture, military history, education, modernization of security forces, and the concept of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

The project’s main focus is to delve deep into India’s historical narratives in the fields of statecraft and strategic thinking. It encompasses various aspects, including indigenous military systems, historical texts, regional kingdoms, thematic studies, and an in-depth examination of Kautilya’s works.

To kickstart these discussions, a panel met on September 29 to explore the evolution of Indian military systems, war strategies, and strategic thinking. This discussion not only reviewed current research but also outlined the path ahead.

This initiative by the Indian Army underscores its recognition of India’s age-old wisdom in statecraft, strategy, diplomacy, and warfare. Project Udbhav aims to connect the dots between historical and contemporary aspects of these disciplines.

The ultimate goal is to understand the profound depth of indigenous military systems, how they evolved, the strategies passed down through generations, and the enduring strategic thought processes that have guided the land for millennia.

But Project Udbhav goes beyond just rediscovering these historical narratives. It also aims to develop an indigenous strategic vocabulary deeply rooted in India’s rich philosophical and cultural tapestry. The intention is to fuse ancient wisdom with modern military pedagogy.

Starting in 2021, an extensive study has been underway to compile Indian stratagems based on ancient texts. A book has been published as part of this study, featuring 75 selected aphorisms from these texts. It is titled “Paramparik Bhartiya Darshan…Ranniti aur Netriyta ke Shashwat Niyam,” which translates to

“Traditional Indian Philosophy…Eternal Rules of Warfare and Leadership.” This book is intended to be read by all ranks of the Indian Army.

In the recent panel discussion, the primary focus was on the study of ancient texts ranging from the fourth century BCE to the eighth century CE. This included works by Kautilya, Kamandaka, and the Kural.

By reintroducing these classical teachings into contemporary military and strategic domains, the Indian Army aims to equip its officers with the ability to apply ancient wisdom in modern scenarios. Additionally, this approach fosters a deeper understanding of international relations and foreign cultures.

In summary, Project Udbhav is a significant collaborative effort between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI) to explore India’s ancient texts on statecraft, warcraft, diplomacy, and grand strategy. The project aims to rediscover India’s rich heritage in these areas and bridge the gap between historical and contemporary knowledge. Through this initiative, the Indian Army intends to develop an indigenous strategic vocabulary and empower its officers with the wisdom of the past for modern challenges in national security and international relations.

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