War in Ancient India c8.s1.24

c8.s1.24

Thus the Commander-in-Chief, differently known as Pradhāna Senāpati, Sarvasenāpati and Mahāsenāpati, was the head of the military department of the State. His primary duty lay⁶⁴ in attending to the training and efficient organisation of the army and in enforcing discipline. Though he was invested with the status of a high minister, he was not a member of the council, if we are to rely on the authority of the *Nitivākyāmṛta*⁶⁵ and the *Śukranīti* where this officer does not figure in the list of ministers. He occupied the key position in a campaign and his success or defeat decided the fate of the engagement. Hence it is ruled that the soldier who killed a Commander-in-Chief, or captured him alive, would earn the name of a hero and would be entitled to all honours.⁶⁶