The Early History of the Deccan (Parts I–XI) v1.c9.s3.t3.3

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.