War in Ancient India c9.s3.23

c9.s3.23

Kāmandaka belongs to the Kauṭalīyan school. He speaks of only five kinds of fortresses, water, (e.g. the modern water defences of the Meuse), hill, forest, (e.g. the present Ardennes Forest affording natural obstacles), barren plain, or desert.⁵¹ The recommendations made for providing defence and safety are the same as in Kauṭalīya. As a typical illustration of a fort as gathered from literary sources, the castle of Laṅkā figures prominently in the *Rāmāyaṇa*. Hanumān describes the city as he saw it.⁵² The doors were huge and massive and fastened with iron bolts. Above them were stationed several kinds of arms and machines to guard them from invaders. Hundreds of Śataghnis were found arranged in order at the entrance. The walls were unscalable, and their sides were decorated with numerous precious stones of high value. Surrounding these there was a deep and wide moat filled with pure water and containing several wild aquatic animals. There were four bridges over the moat, protected on both sides with huge destructive engines. The citadel was further defended by water, hill, and other artificial fortifications. It was fully garrisoned with horses, elephants, and hundreds of brave Rākṣasa warriors.