Hindu Administrative Institutions c11.s9.3

c11.s9.3

In post-Vedic days the commander-in-chief (*pradhāna senāpati*) was the important officer of the army. Usually he was assisted by a council of war who advised him on all the military arrangements of a campaign or an engagement. That this war-council was a feature of the ancient Hindu administration is seen from the *Rāmāyaṇa*³ where Rāvaṇa is said to have held a council on the eve of his battle with Rāma. The *Arthaśāstra* mentions the following duties of the commander-in-chief. He must be thoroughly versed in all kinds of tactical and strategical modes of warfare, skilful in handling weapons of war, and deciding action or inaction in the circumstances of the situation. He must also study the advantage or otherwise of the ground, the time, and the strength of his force, sow seeds of dissension among the enemy's troops. He should collect his own army engaged in different directions, order an advance or retreat and assail fortresses.¹ He must look to the discipline of the army whether in camp, or on the march, or in the engagement. Formed regiments (*vyūha*) were designated by the names of trumpets, boards, standards or flags.²