MoD | Raksha Mantri launches – PROJECT UDBHAV

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has launched ‘Project UDBHAV’ during the Indian Military Heritage Festival, in the presence of top military leadership, including General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of Air Staff, Vice Admiral SJ Singh, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, and other dignitaries.

‘Project UDBHAV,’ which translates to ‘origin’ or ‘genesis,’ is a collaboration between the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI) aimed at revisiting the roots of India’s ancient military thoughts.

This initiative acknowledges the ancient scriptures and writings of India, spanning centuries, which contain profound knowledge that can be beneficial for modern military strategies. The project’s objective is to synthesize this ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices, creating a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges. It seeks to integrate age-old wisdom with contemporary military pedagogy.

The ancient Indian knowledge system, rooted in a 5,000-year-old civilizational legacy, encompasses a vast body of intellectual texts, world’s largest collection of manuscripts, and a deep tradition of intellectual thinkers and schools of thought. ‘Project UDBHAV’ aims to facilitate a deep understanding of India’s knowledge systems and philosophies, exploring their enduring connections, relevance, and applicability in the modern era.

Ancient texts like Chanakya’s Arthashastra emphasize the importance of strategic partnerships, alliances, and diplomacy, aligning with modern military practices such as international cooperation and soft power projection. Similarly, the wisdom of Thirukkural, the classical Tamil text authored by Thiruvalluvar, advocates ethical conduct in all endeavors, including warfare, aligning with modern military codes of ethics.

The initiative also draws inspiration from prominent military campaigns and leaders in India’s history, such as Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka, Cholas, Lachit Borphukan’s Naval Battle of Saraighat in 1671, Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and more. ‘Project UDBHAV’ intends to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern military pedagogy through interdisciplinary research, workshops, and leadership seminars. It aims to enrich military training curricula by exploring under-explored thoughts and theories related to strategic thinking, statecraft, and warfare.

This project will culminate in January 2024 with a publication that documents and institutionalizes this knowledge, providing the Indian Army with a deeper understanding of its historical military sagacity and aligning it with the demands of contemporary warfare and diplomacy.

‘Project UDBHAV’ symbolizes the Indian Army’s commitment to nurturing a future where military might and strategic thinking are enhanced by India’s rich and strategic past. It sets the stage for a more robust, progressive, and future-ready Indian Army.