The Mauryan Polity c9.s4.1

c9.s4.1

The army primarily constituted of the Kṣatriyas, well-trained and well-disciplined. In discussing the merits and demerits of forces consisting of the Brahmans, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, and Śūdras respectively, Kauṭalya would attach no value to an army composed of Brahmans. He would prefer only a pure Kṣatriya host, though under certain circumstances a mixed host could be recruited which would be only bales of cotton signifying thereby the uselessness of that army. Much discrimination was urged in the matter of recruitment. There were of course the hereditary troops (maula) and these certainly constituted the standing army to which there is the evidence of Diodorus.¹ According to this authority this army was paid a handsome salary and was regularly supplied with arms, ammunitions, etc., by the state. This corresponds to the Kauṭaliyan arsenal department under the lead of the Āyudhāgārādhyakṣa. Under the latter’s management weapons of war and other accessories to a military expedition were manufactured and kept in store for the supply of soldiers whenever there was an occasion for it. What these were and what the nature of the equipment was are given in detail.² The reference to the Board of supply and commissariat in the Greek records can be fitly compared with this department of the Arthaśāstra.