Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s5.10

c11.s5.10

These are hereditary (maula), mercenary (bhṛtaka), belonging to guilds (śreṇi), those of an ally (mitra), those of an enemy (amitra), and those of forest-tribes (aṭavi). The first maula refers in all probability to the standing army, for it is said to be dependent on the king for maintenance and also liable to be constantly drilled. In other words it was in the continuous employ of the state. The other troops were recruited whenever necessary and dismissed as soon as the threatened crisis was over. This is further confirmed by the account of Megasthanes who remarks, ‘This class of fighting men when not engaged in active service pass their time in idleness and drinking. They are maintained at the king's expense and hence are always ready when occasion calls to take the field, for they carry nothing of their own with them but their own bodies.¹ To quote Arrian again: ‘They have only military duties to perform. Others make their arms, others supply them with horses, and they have others to attend them in their camp, who take care of their horses, clean their arms, drive their elephants, prepare their chariots and act as their charioteers. As long as they are required to fight the fight, and when peace returns they abandon themselves to enjoyment, the pay which they receive from the state being so liberal that they can with ease maintain themselves and others besides.’ It is thus manifest that the institution of a standing army dates its existence from the beginnings of the Maurya history, if not earlier.