The Mauryan Polity c9.s3: Sec. iii. Ethics of War

The Mauryan Polity c9.s3

Language: English

c9.s3.t1 kūṭayuddha — 4 parts
c9.s3.t2 attention to the sick and the wounded — 2 parts
c9.s3.t3 Non-combatants unmolested — 5 parts

Sec. iii. Ethics of War

c9.s3.1

Though wars were fought on a large scale in Ancient India, still they were resorted to only as the last means. When once war was declared, the warrior was expected to fight to the finish. All glory was to the soldier who died in the field of battle. Appeal was so made by the Purohita to the soldiers as to stimulate their heroic spirit. It is said that the valourous soldiers who give up their lives in righteous warfare reach the worlds of heaven much more quickly than the Brahmans who wish to attain heaven through performance of sacrifices and austerities.³ The idea is that once in the field, the soldier must not desert it or even retreat.

c9.s3.2

³ Bk. X, ch. 3.

kūṭayuddha

c9.s3.t1.1

A detailed reference to the *kūṭayuddha* or warfare by deceit by the author of the *Arthaśāstra* has made some scholars draw the conclusion that the *Arthaśāstra* attaches importance to that kind of warfare where considerations of morality are subordinated to those of expediency and practical gain.¹ But later on it is stated that even in the *Arthaśāstra*, the *kūṭayuddha* occupies only a secondary or less honourable place.² The *Arthaśāstra* being a text-book on polity considers all the aspects of that polity. In speaking on the different kinds of warfare it is natural for the author to refer to every one of them and supply such details as were then available to him. This does not mean that the *kūṭayuddha* is recommended at all times. This kind of warfare is justified only in certain cases, and under peculiar conditions. Kauṭalya advocates only fair fighting and this is seen from the way in which he discusses the different methods of capturing a fortress. He condemns incendiarism by saying that the use of fire is an offence against God inasmuch as it would cause destruction to men, grains, cattle, gold, raw materials, etc.³

c9.s3.t1.2

¹ S. V. Viśvanātha, *Inter. Law*, p. 121.

c9.s3.t1.3

² *Ibid.*, p. 124.

c9.s3.t1.4

³ aviśvāsyo hyagniḥ daivapīḍanam ca| apratisaṃghāta praṇidhānyapaśuhiraṇyakupyadravyakṣayakaraḥ|—Bk. XIII, ch. 4.

attention to the sick and the wounded

c9.s3.t2.1

Special attention was devoted to the sick and the wounded. Physicians accompanied the army with surgical instruments (*śastra*), mechanical appliances (*yantra*), healing balm (*sneha*), dressing cloth (*vastra*), and nurses (*striyaḥ*). They took their stand in the rear and inspired the soldiers.⁴

c9.s3.t2.2

⁴ Bk. X, ch. 3. Cp. *Śānti*, 95, 12.

Non-combatants unmolested

c9.s3.t3.1

Another feature of the ancient warfare was that the non-combatants were left unmolested. Megasthenes says: "Nor would an enemy coming upon a husbandman at work on his land do him any harm, for men of this class being regarded as public benefactors are protected from all injury. The land thus remaining unravaged and producing heavy crops supplies the inhabitants with all that is requisite to make the life very enjoyable."¹ Again with regard to the treatment of the conquered, Kauṭalya is of opinion that the conquered people should not be disturbed from the observance of their own laws and customs (*dharma*).² This is perhaps in keeping with what Aśoka says concerning the unsubdued borderers. 'The King desires that they should not be afraid of me, that they should trust me and should receive from me happiness and not sorrow. The king will bear patiently with us so far as it is possible to bear with us........the king is to us even as a father: he loves us even as he loves himself: we are to the king even as his children.'³ It is ordained that the family members of the slain soldier should not be deprived of their property or lands. On the other hand they must be reinstated.⁴ There is thus a record of humane laws of war expounded by Kauṭalya in accordance with tradition and corroborated by the Greek contemporary writer.

Linked texts (2)

Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit
Mahābhārata — Vyāsa, Sanskrit