The Rashtrakutas and their Times c19.s1.44

c19.s1.44

The army must have been accompanied by numerous camp followers. Quite a large battalion of cooks, washermen, sweepers, watermen, cartmen, etc., must have been necessary to meet its various needs. It seems that in Northern India slaves were employed for these menial duties; Al Utbi informs us that the victory, which the Hindus had almost secured against Mahmud of Ghazni in the battle of Ohind was lost by them owing to the revolt of the slaves in the household, who attacked them in the rear while the battle was at the critical stage. (29) We do not know whether this unsound practice was followed by the Rāṣṭrakūṭas in their military administration. The reputation for great efficiency, which the army possessed, and the numerous victories that stand to its credit would suggest that it was all composed of free men; slaves could hardly have found a place in it even for menial duties.