Seminar on Indian Strategic Culture Held at National Museum as Part of ‘Project Udbhav’

Shri Bhatt underscored the necessity of adapting to changing geopolitical landscapes and leveraging India's cultural heritage as a strategic asset.

A seminar-cum-exhibition on 'Historical Patterns of Indian Strategic Culture' was held at the National Museum in New Delhi on May 21, 2024, under the aegis of 'Project Udbhav'. Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt was the Chief Guest at the event, which showcased an exhibition titled 'Evolution of Indian Military Systems, Warfighting, and Strategic Thoughts, from Antiquity to Independence', and included the release of the 'Udbhav Compendium' and the book 'Alha Udal - Ballad Rendition of Western Uttar Pradesh'.

In his address, Shri Bhatt praised the Indian Army and the United Service Institution of India (USI) for their efforts in 'Project Udbhav', which seeks to extract strategic insights from India's ancient texts and traditions. He highlighted the project's role in enriching the understanding of unconventional warfare strategies, diplomatic practices, and ethical considerations, and stressed the importance of integrating these insights into modern military strategies.

Shri Bhatt underscored the necessity of adapting to changing geopolitical landscapes and leveraging India's cultural heritage as a strategic asset. He emphasized that the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat extends beyond economic self-reliance to include the adoption of Indian thought and values in contemporary decision-making, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Raksha Rajya Mantri lauded 'Project Udbhav' for fostering civil-military collaboration by bringing together academia, scholars, practitioners, and military experts. He noted that the project's findings would enhance the strategic capabilities of the Indian Army and demonstrate the enduring relevance of India's ancient wisdom.

Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande remarked that 'Project Udbhav' has highlighted significant intellectual convergences between Indian and Western scholars, and has explored India's tribal traditions, Maratha Naval legacy, and the heroics of military figures, including women. The project has delved into ancient texts such as the Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads, and Arthashastra, revealing the interconnectedness, righteousness, and ethical values central to India's military heritage.

The exhibition featured artifacts, prints, manuscripts, and miniature paintings from the National Museum's collections, illustrating the evolution of Indian military systems and strategic thoughts. It will remain open to the public for the next ten days.

The 'Udbhav Compendium (2023-2024)' serves as a record of the project's key findings and future directions for research on India's ancient military wisdom and statecraft. The event concluded with a panel discussion on 'Ancient Indian Traditions of Military Ethics and Culture', aimed at reviving and reassessing India's historical corpus of strategic wisdom.

Launched by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the Indian Military Heritage Festival on October 21, 2023, 'Project Udbhav' continues to bring together senior Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and scholars to deepen the understanding of India's strategic culture.