Hindu Polity: A Constitutional History of India in Hindu Times c43.97

c43.97

The Senāpati is evidently the Minister of War. He is very important in the government of Chandragupta, coming third in precedence, taking his place above the Yuvarāja. In the Śukranīti he is called 'Sachiva'. Probably the Senāpati was both the military leader in the field and the military member in the Council as is suggested in the Rāmāyaṇa, II. 100. 31. But in the time of Kauṭilya the two offices were distinct (§ 309) and they remained distinct in later times. In the Śukra-nīti he is a civilian officer, as the eight ministers were transferred from one portfolio to the other and they all occupy equal rank (§ 320).