History of Mediaeval Hindu India (being a History of India from 600 to 1200 A.D.) v1.c13.4

v1.c13.4

Harsha's army on the march has been graphically described by Bāṇa, who in the Harsha Charita at least, is remarkably true to fact and nature. It would not be improper if we give here a few extracts from that description though it must be admitted that very many passages in it cannot be well understood at this distance of time and in the present state of our imperfect knowledge of the Sanskrit of things used in the army. "One prahara (3 hours) before sunrise exactly, the royal marching drum began to send forth its sound, and shortly after a pause, there were eight distinct strokes given on it intimating that the army was to march that day eight kos (or 16 miles). Other royal sounding instruments followed namely the Nāndi (or triumphal drum), Kunja, Kāhala and Śankha (or conch). The army was immediately in a bustle, people got up and struck off their small tents, boxes were filled with the marching materials and other paraphernalia. Elephants were roused from their sleep and taken out of their sleeping places and harnessed. Horses too were roused and taken out and made ready. Mad elephants were moved out of the way with heavy iron chains clanking behind them, as their hind legs dragged them. Families of Kulaputras (relatives) and Sāmantas (chiefs) were got into bullock carts or on elephants and moved. The royal kitchen servants with their paraphernalia and animals of food (Harsha appears to have been a flesh-eater in his young days) and with pots of milk and other preparations covered and sealed, walked fast and pushed people here and there. The princes in attendance, well attired and seated on female elephants, with umbrellas on their heads and with foot soldiers walking about them, hurried to the gate of the royal camp."