Public Administration in Ancient India c18.36

c18.36

The direction of military affairs was, at the time of Megasthenes’s visit, in the hands of a governing body of thirty members. This body was grouped into six committees of five members each, they being in charge of the four divisions of the army, and the commissariat and the naval department. “One division is appointed,” says Strabo, “to co-operate with the admiral of the fleet, another with the superintendent of the bullock-trains which are used in transporting engines of war, food for the soldiers, provender for the cattle, and other military requisites. They supply servants who beat the drum, and others who carry gongs; grooms also for the horses, and mechanists and their assistants. To the sound of the gong they send out foragers to bring in grass, and by a system of rewards and punishments ensure the work being done with despatch and safety. The third division has charge of the foot-soldiers, the fourth of the horses, the fifth of the war chariots, and the sixth of the elephants. There are royal stables for the horses and elephants, and also a royal magazine for the arms, because the soldier has to return his arms to the magazine, and his horse and elephant to the stables . . . In addition to the charioteer there are two fighting men who sit up in the chariot beside him. The war-elephant carries four men—three who shoot arrows, and the driver.”¹