Warfare and War Strategies in Purananooru

புராணனூறு - போர் மற்றும் போர் நிலைகள்

Abstract

War is a structured aggression aimed at defending against or vanquishing an opponent utilising the resources at one’s command. It is defined as an organised and often prolonged conflict that is carried out by states and/or non-state actors. War is an act of violence intended to compel our opponent to fulfil our will. Scholars who advocate views against war condemn it as licensed crime against humanity. Aggressive or warlike qualities are fruitful for a human being to survive and succeed in a competitive environment. Even apostles of peace like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King (Jr) and Nelson Mandela were men of steel in their relentless fight. Charles Darwin underlined evolution as the survival of the fittest and not necessarily the best. This Biblical remark is indeed interesting: “The life of man upon earth is warfare.” Against this background, an examination of warfare and war strategies enshrined in the ancient compilation Purananooru throws engaging light in understanding the bravery, tactics and ethics of ancient Tamil heritage. The objective of this booklet is to bring out a few aspects highlighting warfare and war strategies in this masterpiece. The English translations used in this essay have been taken from The Four Hundred Songs of War and Wisdom by George L Hart and Hank Heifetz. The main aim of this effort is to arouse in the somewhat apathetic Tamil youth of today, some interest and pride in their glorious past.