War in Ancient India c12.105

c12.105

It is further prescribed that in meeting his spies the king should be well armed, as he should meet them only at night. Dishonest and misbehaving spies were subject to punishment. But true and honest officials were protected during the period of their active service. In this way Kauṭalya speaks of a number of spies in different disguises and professions who were entrusted with onerous responsibilities and obligations and on whose work rested the weal or woe of the conqueror's kingdom. The description shows an elaborate network of the spy system.