The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c9.s3.t3: Army and Navy
The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c9.s3.t3
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Army and Navy
v1.c9.s3.t3.1
The power of Pulakēśin’s army was proved, as we learn also from Hiuen Tsang, in the successful resistance it offered against Harshavardhana’s attempts to extend his sway to the south of the Narmadā. In the century that followed, the same army won renown in many wars, and it became in later times the proud boast of the Rāṣṭrakūṭas that they had risen to eminence after Dantidurga had defeated the Karṇāṭaka army (of the Chālukyas) which had tasted victory in so many encounters.
v1.c9.s3.t3.2
That a naval force of some strength was maintained by the Chālukyan monarchs we may infer from the operations against Revatidvīpa and Purī; we have unfortunately no detailed notice of this navy in any of our sources.
v1.c9.s3.t3.3
In the life of Hiuen Tsang compiled by his pupil Hwui-li¹ from the notes of the master, we read further: ‘In this country, therefore, the troops and cavalry are carefully equipped, and the rules of warfare thoroughly understood and observed. Whenever a general is dispatched on a warlike expedition, although he is defeated and his army destroyed, he is not himself subjected to bodily punishment, only he has to exchange his soldier’s dress for that of a woman, much to his shame and chagrin. So, many times, those men put themselves to death to avoid such disgrace.’ This curious practice of disgracing soldiers by compelling them to wear women’s clothes is attested by Chōḷa inscriptions relating to the Chālukyan wars of the eleventh century.
v1.c9.s3.t3.4
¹ Beal, Life, pp. 146-7.