State and Government in Ancient India c23.s4.33

c23.s4.33

A few words are necessary about the military forces of the Rāshṭrakūṭas. The emperors cherished constant ambitions to extend their territories and were always trying to translate these into reality ; therefore the Rāshṭrakūṭa military machine was both powerful and efficient. The administration always maintained a large army, but unfortunately we have no data to enlighten us on the exact strength of its infantry, cavalry and elephant corps. We may however well presume that the Rāshṭrakūṭa army could not have been less than half a million strong, as was the case with the army of Harsha. A considerable portion of the army was concentrated at the capital. But there used to be also an army of the South, usually under the Banavasi viceroy, and an army of the North, probably commanded by a prince of the blood royal. The standing armies were maintained for the protection of the empire from external enemies ; they used also to carry out aggressive expeditions when these had been decided on by the central government. The army was famous for its infantry divisions, though cavalry also played an important part. Some battalions consisted of men from military castes, the soldiers of which followed their profession as a matter of heredity; these usually enjoyed the reputation of crack divisions. Some battalions were supplied by feudatories and provincial governors. These used to be summoned when an important military venture had to be undertaken. Troops of the military castes received professional training in their villages before they joined the colours ; others were trained and led by adventurous mercenaries or *condottieri*, who were paid directly by the government for their work in this connection. The commissariat was organised with the help and cooperation of wealthy merchants. The army consisted of persons from all castes ; even Brāhmaṇas and Jains were represented on it. It is rather surprising to find that many of the famous Rāshṭrakūṭa generals like Baṅkeya, Śrīvijaya, Mārasiṁha, etc. were Jains by religious persuasion. They probably felt that the doctrine of Ahimsā in its extreme form was intended in practice for recluses and not for ordinary laymen.