This book is the first ever endeavour of its kind to introduce the importance of Military Bands in the public and private lives of humankind, in State government, and in international relations including war and peace. The term ‘Military Band’, which is erroneously taken to mean Bands held by the armed forces, has a much broader meaning that includes, but is in no way limited to, the defence forces’ bands. Every Band, using brass or woodwind instruments, within the military or without, is known as a ‘Military Band’. This term is more current in the South Asian context while the Western usage, it may be called a ‘Concert Band’.

The present work unearths the enigma behind the Bands, brings home their essentiality in national life and explores the majesty that the Bands bring to presidential inaugurations and street fairs and to battlegrounds and sports field alike. Finally, the book muses on the future role of Military Bands for conflict resolution and for promotion of peace in general.