introduction to evolution of warfare
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INTRODUCTION TO EVOLUTION OF WARFARE
1. Introduction. Armed conflict was a fact of life, long before the first recorded
engagement. Humans first recognized the value of stones or sticks as implements and
used these ‘weapons’ in the search for food, place to live, or in satisfying his inherent
desire to dominate. Later the primitive man discovered that a stone with a sharp edge
or a stick with a pointed end could be more lethal than the ordinary round stone or
blunt club. This was the beginning of the evolutionary process of warfare and the
pattern was set for discovery, improvement and use of weapons with tactics especially
devised to suit their capabilities. This pattern has been followed throughout the history
and has resulted into the complex nature of warfare as we see it today. Some
important milestones in the evolution of warfare through the ages are as follows:-a. 5000 B.C. - Emergence of First Society. In 5000 B.C world’s first society
emerged in Egypt. Fighting was limited to small skirmishes with weapons
made of stone.
Figure: 1 First Ancient Society
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b. 3100 B.C. - Bronze Age and Start of Warfare. Bronze Age was
characterized with the use of copper and bronze for the manufacture of
weapons. Around 3000 B.C world’s first armies appeared in the ancient
Egypt.
c. 1200 B.C - Iron Age. In 1200 B.C use of Iron was mastered by the
ancient man. As a result, harder and more reliable implements and
weapons were hammered into shape while softer cast bronze weapons
gradually became obsolete. Due to availability of iron in large quantity,
large number of weapons were manufactured and art of warfare increased
dramatically.
Figure : 4 Iron Age Dagger, Axe Head and Arrows
Figure: 2 Bronze Age Spearheads Figure: 3 Egyptian Pharoh Rameses IIdepicted in battle
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d. 4th Century A.D - Beginning of Medieval Warfare. In 4th century A.D use
of stirrups enabled the employment of cavalry as a shock element. Fighting
concepts changed from employment of massed infantry to charge by
cavalry and this led to the beginning of medieval era.
e. 10th Century A.D - Development of Gunpowder. Gunpowder was
developed during the Song Dynasty in China in 10th century A.D. This
invention had a huge impact on the evolution of warfare.
Figure: 5 10th century stirrup Figure: 6 Cavalry Charge in MedievalEra
Figure: 7 Chinese Experimenting with the Gunpowder
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f. 15th Century A.D - Widespread Use of Gunpowder. Widespread use of
gunpowder began in the 15th century A.D. As a result new weapons
including artillery guns and muskets appeared in battlefield.
g. 18th Century A.D - Industrial Revolution. Major advancements in
manufacturing, transportation and technology were made during industrial
revolution. As a result rifled breech loading infantry weapons, high velocity
breech loading artillery guns, modern tanks, metal warships, submarines,
and aircrafts entered the battlefield.
Figure : 8 The Dardanelles Gun Cast in 1464 Figure : 9 Japanese Arquebus
Figure : 10 Factories in the Industrial Age Figure : 11 A Glimpse of Industrial Warfare
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h. Post 1945 - Atomic Age. The Atomic Age is the period of history following
the detonation of the first nuclear weapon ‘Little Boy’ on Hiroshima. After
the bombing, many nations focused on acquisition and development of
nuclear weapons thus changing the warfare profoundly.
i. 21st Century A.D - Information Age. The information age is the current
age which is characterized by the fast transfer of information using highly
advanced communication means. In present age, the concept of network
centric warfare has emerged which aims at integrating the commanders,
sensors and shooters thus reducing the reaction capability.
Figure: 15 Network Centric Warfare
Figure: 14 ‘Little Boy’ The First Atomic Weapon Figure: 13 Bombing of Hiroshima