War in Ancient India c9.s3.t1.1

c9.s3.t1.1

How the siege operations were conducted and what devices and tactics were adopted to get possession of the enemy’s fortresses may next engage our attention. Five methods seem to have been employed in capturing a fort.⁶² They were intrigue, *apasarpan* or pretending to retreat, *vamanam* or winning over the people, *paryu-vasanam* or actual siege, and *avamartha* or taking by assault. In Kauṭalya’s opinion, an invading king should not, all at once, commence the siege of the enemy’s fortress, for such a procedure would ultimately land him in trouble. So a regular siege must be preceded by a considerable reduction of the enemy’s forces. This alone would easily lead him to victory in the struggle.