War in Ancient India c12.24

c12.24

The duties of an ambassador, then, were many and varied. The lawgiver, Manu,¹² lays down these explicit functions. First, on him rests the ultimate declaration of war or peace.¹³ Secondly, he is to make or break alliances. Again, he is to sever the friendship of those who are not favourably disposed to his country and secure alliance with those who are, for all practical purposes, friendly if the conditions and circumstances so demand. He is further to ascertain the nature and scope of the enemy’s strength, his allies, followers, and his enemies. Lastly, he must so play his part in foreign lands as not to imperil his personal security. The very same duties are laid down by Kauṭalya¹⁴ also, which go to show that he is a faithful follower of the Dharmaśāstras. According to Kauṭalya the envoy should endeavour to secure the friendship of the enemy’s officers, study his military strength, forts, arsenals, army, and all his weak as well as favourable points. He must make an accurate survey of the whole ground leading to the enemy’s kingdom, then and there, marking the best vantage grounds for encampment, for operations, for retreat, and for the storage of provisions. Only with previous permission should an ambassador enter the capital city of his enemy. He must deliver the message exactly as entrusted to him even at the risk of his life, carefully observing at the same time how and in what spirit the enemy receives it.