Sun Tzu; the earliest known Chinese military philosopher whose thoughts have influenced the strategic doctrines of many nations

In the 4^th century AD, Sun Tzu wrote a Chinese classic book, ‘Ping-fa’ (The Art of War) which is one of the earliest books on military strategy. For many centuries this book remained the cornerstone of the Chinese military strategy and also had a deep influence on Japanese military thoughts. During modern times Mao Zedong closely studied this book and sought guidance while he led the socialist revolution in China. Today not only the revolutionary but also the conventional military leaders and even those involved in business and industry like to study the guiding principles given in ‘The Art of War’.

There is some evidence that Sun Tzu served in the army of the king of Wu. He was one of those leaders who captured the Chu’u capital of Ying. In other accounts, Sun Tzu received credit for the defeat of the northern Chinese states of Chi’i and Chin. One of the most repeated stories about Sun Tzu is his using Wu’s concubines as ‘soldiers’ to demonstrate to his king how soldiers should perform various military drills and movements.

For centuries after its introduction, the Chinese and later the Mongolians studied and followed the contents of ‘The Art of War’. Warfare, far from an exact science, defies definitive rules and directions and adapts poorly to the academic classroom. Nevertheless ‘The Art of War’ is the record of the first effort to provide rational thought as the basis for planning and conduct of the battle. Though much of the advice of Sun Tzu seems very simple, the wars conducted over the history have repeatedly violated even the most fundamental principles given by him.

The two basic tenants of ‘The Art of War’ are; 1) to prepare adequately for defense in order to repel any attack, and 2) to seek ways to defeat the enemy. An important aspect of the later objective, and perhaps the most difficult to implement, is to seek methods to defeat an enemy without actually engaging him in battle. Sun Tzu believed that the skillful strategies should be able to subdue the enemy’s army without engaging it, to take his cities without laying siege to them and to overthrow his State without staining the swords with blood.

According to Sun Tzu, military might is the last resort. Before engaging in combat, one should try other tactics such as spreading rumors in the enemy camp, bribing and influencing opposing leaders and undermining the enemy’s morale and his capabilities. Sun Tzu emphasized on detailed reconnaissance and gathering of information about the enemy and terrain before undertaking the battle. He also noted, “No country has ever benefited from a protracted war” and advocated that rapid and decisive offensives must be launched for positive results. The valued readers may like to evaluate the protracted war of the US against terrorism today and its outcome in the light of the principle put forward by Sun Tzu about sixteen centuries ago!

The valuable axioms from ‘The Art of War’ include “Know your enemy, know yourself and your victory will be inevitable”. Sun Tzu said, “Avoid strength, attack weakness”. His analysis of successful commanders is equally straightforward: “They defend when their strength is inadequate and they attack when their strength is abundant”.

Although Sun Tzu wrote the actual text for conventional warfare, but during the developments in 20^th century the book acquired much credibility as a manual of guerrilla warfare as well. Apart from Mao Zedong, General Giap also read it to benefit in Vietnam War. British military writer B.H. Liddell Hart, while comparing Clausewitz with Sun Tzu has remarked that Sun Tzu has clearer vision, more found insight and eternal freshness. The Art of War is simple, readable and continues to provide an efficient outline for any study of the elusive art of war.

In the end a famous axiom of Sun Tzu is worth quoting when he said while underscoring the value of surprise and deception in warfare, “He will win who prepares himself and takes the enemy unprepared”.