Defence Architecture in Early North Karnataka c18.s5.t1.13

c18.s5.t1.13

Somēśvara the author not only refers to the usual types of forts given down from the time of Kauṭilya but also mentions of some more varieties by bringing their number to nine. He gives a good account of locations different materials and qualitative durability of forts. The stone, the brick, the wood and the clay are the important materials for the relevant types of forts. The Giridurga (Fig.83) and Jaladurga (Fig. 87) should be constructed of stones only. The Vanadurga and Merud (Mrittika) durga should be made of bricks and clay. The Naradurga should be made of by arranging soldiers at the time of emergency. Among the normal fortifications, while Giridurgas and Jaladurgas stand with first rank, the second place is occupied by forest forts, clay forts as well. The forts created by arranging the array of soldiers i.e. Naradurgas are of third rate and most unsafe. According to Dr. Shama Sastry, R. (pp.3-4) "it is more or less a copy of the Arthasastra".