The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’
About the Monograph
| This monograph offers a concise yet insightful survey of the major Eastern military philosophies that have shaped strategic behavior across centuries. Beginning with China’s rich tradition—from Sun Tzu’s Art of War to the Seven Military Classics—the work highlights how deception, indirectness, and contextual advantage became central features of Chinese strategic culture. It then examines India’s realist tradition through Kautilya’s Arthaśāstra, emphasizing statecraft, power maximization, and the mandala theory of interstate relations. Japan’s warrior ethos is explored through the lens of Musashi’s Book of Five Rings, reflecting discipline, directness, and the holistic “two-swords” approach. The analysis concludes with Islamic perspectives on conflict, including Quranic conceptions of war, jihad, and moral-psychological dimensions of warfare. Together, these traditions illuminate how diverse cultures conceptualize conflict, offering valuable lessons for contemporary strategists navigating today’s complex security environment. |