A ready source of historical perspective on the armies of the past as well as contemporary times this unique book contains well-researched scientific information on the foods and rations of armies as well as the role of science and technology in instituting significant improvements in their foods and provisioning, both in times of war and peace.

The principal aim of the book is to trace the historical development of armies; describe the evolution of their peace time and combat foods; and to examine the supply and delivery systems prevalent at different periods of time, in India and elsewhere. It closes with a chapter that showcases the research carried out by Defence research and Development Organisation (DRDO) laboratories in developing food for the Indian Armed Forces. The information presented in the book has been painstakingly gathered from a huge mass of scattered published and unpublished sources.

D. Vijaya Rao has been a research scientist at Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore, India.