Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s5.19

c11.s5.19

Besides the four-fold division of the army the fragments of Megasthanes throw welcome light on the existence of a separate department for navy and another for transport and commissariat. Megasthanes remarks: 'There is a third governing body which directs military affairs. This also consists of six divisions, with five members to each. One division is appointed to co-operate with the admiral of the fleet, another with the superintendent of the bullock-trains which are used for 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 mechanics and their assistants. To the sound of the gong they send 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 soldiers have to return their arms to the magazine, and his horse and elephant to the stables. They use the elephants without bridles. The chariots are drawn on the march by oxen, and the horses are led along by a halter that their legs may not be galled and inflamed nor their spirits damped by drawing chariots. In addition to the charioteer there are two fighting men who sit in the chariot beside him. The war-elephant carries four men—three who shoot arrows, and the driver.' ¹