A new exhibition in Mumbai showcases India's unique medieval weapons

A hero stone Viragal

History buffs in Mumbai have a great opportunity to go back in time at St Xavier's College. The institute's Department of Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology (AIHC&A) is hosting an exhibition of weaponry artefacts dating back to 15th and 16th-century India, in collaboration with Museum Society of Mumbai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Titled Shastrastra, the collection showcases the history of war through sets of weapons and sculptures.

Armour dating back to 18th-century South India. Pics Courtesy/Dr Anita Rane-Kothare; Sunil Kadam (weapons); Faroque Todywala (sculptures, armour)

"It is part of Vividha 2026, a two-day academic and cultural programme that spotlights India's ancient martial heritage. On display are ancient and medieval Indian weapons, which portray how warfare traditions and the craftsmanship of weapons have evolved. There will also be a few traditional handicraft stalls to showcase India's artisanal heritage," reveals Dr Anita Rane-Kothare, Vice Chairman, Museum Society of Mumbai, Associate Professor and former Head, Department of AIHC&A, St Xavier's College, and convenor of the exhibition.

Dr Anita Rane-Kothare

She adds that these artefacts reveal ancient war techniques used in India at some point, from Maratha to Persian warfare. "The inclusion of 12 Maratha forts as UNESCO World Heritage Sites prompted me to curate these weapons. Each of them is real, from swords and shields to different types of daggers; also included are a few miniature Mewar paintings." She reveals more about the exhibition name, "Interesting to note: These weapons qualify as ‘shastra', which constitutes actual physical weapons; ‘astra' on the other hand, is a warfare tactic." In modern terms, a gun is a ‘shastra', she explains, but warfare using Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an ‘astra'. "Often, these concepts are mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics," she informs.

Ankush, a sharp Indian goad, used to control and direct elephants

Dr Rane-Kothare reflects on curating this exhibition, "I've added a section on hero stones that pay respects to warriors who've lost their lives. The exhibit displays weapons, which can be used to defend, but the deeper message to audiences is to abandon violence and the use of weapons to incite evil." She signs off on a thought-provoking note: "If anything, these weapons show how civilisations have never changed. War has always existed; it merely assumes varying forms. Weapons must be used for a cause, to benefit the world and contribute towards peace."

Swords and a shield (Dhal-Talwar) on display at the exhibit

ON January 28 and 29; 10 am to 4 pm
AT Palacios Hall, St Xavier's College, Mahapalika Marg, Dhobi Talao.
ENTRY Free