War in Ancient India c9.s3.43

c9.s3.43

The *Agnipurāṇa* specifies five defects as seriously impairing the strength and value of fortresses in general.⁶¹ These are (1) the drying and silting up of the ditch with sand and mud; (2) the bad and neglected condition of the ramparts and towers; (3) the continuance in use of old, worn-out and inefficient instruments and machines of warfare; (4) a neglected arsenal and (5) an insufficient garrison of soldiers. So it was the duty of a king to see that a fortress was properly maintained to stand an effective siege.