Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s2.1

c11.s2.1

The political condition of ancient India was such that it necessitated strong defences for a kingdom. The defences of a kingdom ordinarily constituted impregnable fortresses and a highly trained army. The fortifications were of a varied character. Water, mountain, desert and forests served as defences.² Generally the capital of every kingdom was fortified strongly. With the construction and other features of fortification we are not at present concerned.¹ Of these water and mountain fortifications served best as defences for centres thick with population, whilst the other kinds, the desert and forest fortifications were intended to ward off dangers arising from unknown wilds and woods.² The category of fortifications including deserts and forests (காவற்காடு) was largely prevalent also in South India in ancient times. There is evidence to show that there were a number of harrying wars among the different states which were a source of trouble and disturbance to the civil population. As the paramount keepers of peace kings in South India felt the necessity for fortifications and it is not surprising that even villages were fortified. Some of them had impregnable fortresses surrounded by deep moats, unscalable walls and tall towers. There is then evidence to show that siege warfare played a significant part not only in North India but also in South India. At least the conception of the ancient world was that fortresses alone are the best sources of defence and that king who had a fort to shelter himself was considered a strong and efficient monarch. The usefulness of siege warfare continued to the end of the middle ages and the beginnings of modern times. Only when the use of gunpowder became popularized, it was felt that sieges were of no avail. Sieges could not be undertaken if there was no efficient army. The ancient Indian army consisted of the four-fold division: cavalry, infantry, chariots, and elephants. There was a special arsenal department (आयुधागार) which supplied the wants of both the defenders of the fortress and the other members of the army. The arsenal department had a store of machines, all kept in order. There were also minor weapons of warfare which were supplied to soldiers. Some of these weapons were *śakti* (spear), *śūla* (trident), *tomara* (iron club), *bhin-divāla* (javelin), *gada* (mace), *śatagni* (cannon), besides swords, bows, and arrows of innumerable varieties in addition to armour of iron and skins.¹