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  MUSEUMS

Museums in Central Zone

State Museum Bhopal

 

Weapons Gallery

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State Museum

 

Weapons play an important part in the life of man. The development of man is also understood by the chronological development of weapons. During the earlier times man might have used his fists and teeth besides horns of animals and later the branches of trees. The history of man is understood by the use of stone tools in the earlier periods of human development. The stone tools that survived the ravages of time are helpful in the reconstruction of the long journey of mankind. In the earliest period these tools were used only for hunting. With the passage of time there were more competitions and as per the requirement man started to refine the tools for employing it in particular conditions. The taming of fire during the Middle Palaeolithic period brought about fundamental changes in the life style of early man.

 

In fact fire was one more weapon in the armory of ancient man by which he could keep the wild animals at bay. Later, he also developed arrowheads of stone and could hunt animals successfully. The most dramatic, however was the discovery of the metals, which gave further thrust to the power of the weapons. With the lapse of time the dominance of archery reduced. Artillery steadily rose to prominence and those who were relying on bows and arrows were defeated.

The Marafhas used a combination of arms. Although they adopted new types of weapons they did not boycott the older types. Their armaments represent ali the phases of development of weapons. Thus the weapons include those of stone, bow and arrow, sword, spear, mace, shield and artiliery types.

The weapons of the Holkars and Scindias kept in this gallery remind one of their glorious history. Under the leadership of the Peshwa, the Holkar army used stone as missiles in mountainous regions. These were used successfully and made an impact like bullets from the gun.

Shivaji first used this technique. The Holkars were armed with different types of swords. There were different types of daggers in vogue during the Holkar period. Yashwantrao Holkar I engaged the Pindaris in his army. Their main weapon was the Maratha spear which had a length of 12 -18 feet.

These spears are classified under three categories viz: Ballam, Barchha and Bha/a. During the third war of Panipat under the leadership of Sadashiv Shau, Malharrao Hoikar used these spears along with swords, bow and arrow. The Holkars used various types of weapons and implements, like: axes, shields, swords, etc. during the battles and wars of the period. Although IItutmish had introduced the cannons, Babur first established its dominant role in warfare. The Holkars followed suit and got cast many cannons. The largest numbers of cannons were cast during the rule of MaharajYashwantrao Holkar  at his capital Bhanpura, which were used by Malharrao Holkar II and Harirav Holkar besides during the revolution of 1857.

Some of the important guns of the Holkar period are: Matchlock, Flintlock, Carabine, Musket and rifles. The several types of guns used by the Scindias are also displayed