War in Ancient India c11.t1.69

c11.t1.69

Daṇḍa: We now pass on to Daṇḍa, the last mode of policy according to the epic tradition. Daṇḍa is not actual punishment or opening of hostilities. It is a diplomatic war, not an armed contest. It is a threat of war, generally applied as a last resort before the actual commencement of fighting. Recourse was had to this policy if the three, sāma, dāna and bheda, had been applied separately or conjointly, and had been found ineffective to achieve the purpose. According to Kauṭalya this policy of daṇḍa should be followed in the case of stronger powers. Sometimes a threat of war might lead to open battle.⁸⁸ This is the use of diplomacy in war. Different modes of daṇḍa are mentioned.⁸⁹ One was to capture the enemy in open fight. The second was to subdue him by resorting to treacherous warfare. The third was to strike him by planning a secret conspiracy. The last was to besiege his fortress to create panic and to capture him during the tumult and confusion caused by the fall of the fortress. If the conquered king behaves better, he should be reinstated.