Public Administration in Ancient India c18.87

c18.87

The Vishnu Smriti 3 mentions forts of many kinds. Manu points out the necessity for possessing forts in the following passage: “One bowman placed on a rampart is a match in battle for one hundred (foes), one hundred for ten thousand; hence it is prescribed (in the Sāstras that a King shall possess) a fortress.” 4 He mentions desert-forts, forts built of stone and earth, forts protected by water or trees, forts protected by armed men, and hill-forts, of which hillforts are the best. The Mahābhārata also mentions various kinds of forts, and offers the King the following advice in regard to the arrangements of the fortress: “ When the King takes refuge in a fortress against a powerful invader, he should raise outer ramparts round his forts, fill the trenches with water, driving pointed stakes at the bottom and filling them with crocodiles and sharks. Over all the gates he should place destructive engines. He should store food, fuel, and all other requisites, and ensure the supply of water by constructing wells. He should construct depots, arsenals, camps, and quarters for soldiers, stabling for horses and elephants, supply himself with wealth, and collect stores of all sorts, such as food, oil, fat, honey, clarified butter, medicines, grass, arrows, fuel, swords, lances, fruits, etc.” 1