Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c8.18

c8.18

For the stabling of elephants a good number of officers was employed. A list of such officers set forth in the Arthaśāstra mentions the following: (i) चिकित्सक (elephant doctors); (ii) अनीकस्थ (elephant trainers); (iii) आरोहक (ordinary drivers or *mâhuts*); (iv) आघोरक (expert *mâhuts* able to control the pace and movement of elephants); (v) हस्तिपक (grooms or elephant keepers); (vi) औपचारिक (attendants); (vii) विपाचक (cooks); (viii) यावसक (grass suppliers); (ix) पादपाशिक (those who put fetters round their feet); (x) कुटीरक्ष (guards); (xi) उपशायिक (those who take care of the elephants at night).