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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