Project Udbhav: To rediscover ‘Indic heritage of statecraft’ from ancient texts

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why in News?
• What is Project Udbhav?
• What is the Significance of the Project Udbhav?
• News Summary Regarding Project Udbhav

Why in News?

• The Indian Army has started an initiative, named Project Udbhav, to rediscover the profound Indic heritage of statecraft and strategic thoughts.

What is Project Udbhav?

• Project Udbhav was started in 2021 by the Indian Army in collaboration with the United Service Institution of India, a defence think-tank.
• It is an initiative to rediscover the profound Indic heritage of statecraft and strategic thoughts derived from ancient Indian texts of statecraft, warcraft, diplomacy and grand strategy.
• It focuses on a broad spectrum including Indigenous Military Systems, Historical Texts, Regional Texts and Kingdoms, Thematic Studies, and intricate Kautilya Studies.
• This pioneering initiative stands testimony to the Indian Army’s recognition of India’s age-old wisdom in statecraft, strategy, diplomacy, and warfare.

What is the Significance of the Project Udbhav?

• At its core, Project Udbhav seeks to bridge the historical and the contemporary to integrate age-old wisdom with modern military pedagogy.
• By reintroducing these classical teachings into contemporary military and strategic domains, the Army aims -
  • To nurture its officers to apply ancient wisdom in modern scenarios and
  • To allow a more profound understanding of international relations and foreign cultures.
• It seeks to understand the profound depths of indigenous military systems, their evolution, strategies that have been passed down through the ages, and the strategic thought processes that have governed the land for millennia.
• The Project is not limited to just rediscovering these narratives but also to also develop an indigenous strategic vocabulary, which is deeply rooted in India’s multifaceted philosophical and cultural tapestry.

News Summary Regarding Project Udbhav:

• A study to compile Indian stratagems based on ancient texts has been ongoing since 2021, and a book has been released listing 75 aphorisms selected from ancient texts.
• Recently, a dialogue on the study of ancient texts from the 4th century BCE to the 8th century CE, with a focus on Kautilya, Kamandaka, and the Kural has been undertaken under the Project.
• In connection with the Project, USI will conduct a Military Heritage Festival on October 21 and 22, to acquaint future thought leaders -
  • With the dynamics of comprehensive national security,
  • With special emphasis on India’s strategic culture, military heritage, education, modernisation of security forces and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Q1) What is the United Service Institution of India (USI)?

USI is a national security and defence services think tank based in New Delhi, India. It describes its aim as the furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the defence services.

Q2) What is Project Shaurya Sankalan?

Taking inspiration from 'Digital India Vision', the Indian Army conceived Project 'SHAURYA SANKALAN' to preserve the rich and glorious history of the Indian Army.

Source: Army’s Project Udbhav to rediscover ‘Indic heritage of statecraft’ from ancient texts