Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s8.1

c11.s8.1

In regard to actual wars three kinds are generally distinguished. These are open battle (प्रकाशयुद्ध), secret battle (कूटयुद्ध) and silent battle (तूष्णीयुद्ध). The characteristics of the first are to fight in broad open daylight and at the appointed locality; of the second to threaten in one direction and assault from the other, or destroy the enemy when in trouble or by bribes; and of the third to win over the leaders of the enemy by intrigue and other means.² The latter are also known by the terms *mantrayuddha*, *vyāyāmayuddha*, and *śakaṭa yuddha*. The first is righteous warfare fought at the specified time and place. The minister, the *purohita*, astrologers and others urge the army to action by their inspiring appeal in the name of religion and country. The day before the battle the king fasts and prays to God to endow him with success. Soothsayers predict the auspicious time for the commencement of an engagement. In the field of battle where actual operations take place elephant-men fight with elephant-men, footmen with footmen, horsemen with horsemen, and chariots with chariots. This is seen in the war of the *Mahābhārata* and is also found mentioned in the Kalinga War described in the later Tamil work *Kalingattuparaṇi*. This was not a hard and fast rule. It may be that a particular force at a particular place may be deficient and at that time an elephant could be opposed by five horses or fifteen men and four horses. Three footmen are said to equal one cavalry soldier.¹ In the view of the *Kauṭalīya* that king who possesses a well disciplined force, who has removed the thorns in his path and who has secured a favourable position, and takes to fair fight,² is a veritable master of strategy.