The Mauryan Polity c13.s12.140

c13.s12.140

(*g*) On military officials Megasthenes writes: "Next to the city magistrates there is a third governing body which directs military affairs. This also consists of six divisions with five members 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 mechanists and their assistants. To the sound of the gong they send out foragers to bring in grass and by a system of rewards and punishments ensure the work being done with despatch and safety.”[1] In the *Arthaśāstra* again there is no mention of a kollegium to carry on military affairs. Either it was the imagination of Megasthenes or more probably something like it was in practice. It is to be admitted that there is no express mention of a commander of fleet but it is reasonable to presume that the *nāvādhyakṣa* was the officer-in-charge of fleet as well as other vessels devoted to commercial and other uses. Among the ships mentioned, men-of-war also figure,—vessels bound for the enemies' country. Evidently it signifies the existence of a navy. The fact that Kauṭalya does not give details of the navy shows that land-engagements were more common than sea-fights which were perhaps few and far between.[2]