Chinese soldiers armed with guandaos | Photo credit: Twitter
Key points
- Legend has it that this iconic weapon was named after the Chinese general Guan Yu, who lived around 2,000 years ago.
- However, the first documented use of Guandao dates back to the 11th century.
- Using it required elaborate practice, with the blade mounted on a long metal or wooden pole.
Chinese troops attempted to make a Galwan on the southern shore of Pangong Lake on Tuesday, but were repulsed by alert Indian soldiers who have occupied the dominant heights in the area.
Reports indicate that members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), frustrated that India has bordered on the southern side of Lake Pangong since August 30, tried to fight their way to the heights that are firmly in control of the Indian troops. (including soldiers). belonging to the mainly Tibetan Special Border Force).
Photos of Chinese troops armed with what looks like a modified version of a traditional Guandao, a pole-mounted knife blade, have gone viral. During the Galwan clash in June, Chinese soldiers were armed with iron-studded clubs, among other weapons. It is clear that this descent into medieval barbarism was not an isolated incident and appears to be part of China’s tactics of shock and awe in an area where no shots have been fired for 45 years.
Chinese troops may have been armed with the Pudao, a modern version of the Guandao. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
But despite being armed with Keep yourselves, the PLA troops who tried to invade the Indian post suffered a severe blow. The Indian troops sent clear verbal warnings that attempts to advance further would not end well for the PLA men.
Finally, common sense prevailed and the PLA troops hastily withdrew, but not before firing into the air, which was a flagrant violation of past agreements that had made LAC a no-fire zone for over four decades. .
the Guandao – and what makes it so deadly
the Guandao It is a Chinese pole weapon used in certain forms of Chinese martial arts. In Mandarin, it is known as Yanyuedao or reclining moon leaf.
Legend has it that this iconic weapon was named after the Chinese general Guan Yu, who lived around 2,000 years ago.
However, the first documented use of the weapon dates back to the 11th century.
Keep they come in many shapes and sizes. In the classic form, the wide blade of the trademark is shifted back and the backing leads to the tip. In earlier times, an ornament decorated with a mythical figure was attached to the hole in the spike.
For centuries, the Guandao it was used to lethal effects both on foot and on horseback in China’s long history of inter-kingdom warfare. Due to its massive blade and the strength of the handle, it could cut through leather and armor.
Using it required elaborate practice, with the blade mounted on a long metal or wooden pole. It was used to attack the opponent with a sweeping motion.
Primarily an attack weapon, it was also used to block and deflect using the rear handle and the back of the blade.
There has been a renewed interest in medieval and ancient Chinese weapons, and with elegant ornaments Keep are available online.
But it is quite possible that the kind of Guandao used by PLA is closer to the Could (‘attack blade’), which weighs less than a third of a Guandao and it is less effective. However, due to its light weight, the Could has room for a greater variety of movements.
However, regardless of whether the PLA troops are armed with a Guandao or a Pudao, The hardened mountain warriors of India are more than prepared for whatever the Chinese throw at them on the eastern heights of Ladakh.
