Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book chapters examines the presence of some commonalities at certain moments of time, there has been no typical Indian or Chinese Way of Warfare throughout history. It explores the prevailing view that only the West produced non-religious military theories that were crucial constituents of the Western Way of Warfare. The book focus on ancient Chinese and Indian military thought. Both ancient China and India evolved complicated secular theories of warfare. Although technology is a major factor in world historical development, we do not want to fall into the trap of technological determinism. The British East India Company (EIC) and Kandy represented two differing military cultures: a high technology professional standing army geared for decisive battles versus a people's militia designed for guerrilla warfare.