Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c13.21

c13.21

*Āṭavikas.* The importance of the wild tribes as the source of a gallant soldiery is adequately recognised by Kauṭilya. He says [VII. 10]: "The country full of forts, clans of robbers (*Chora-gaṇa*), Mlechchha people (like the *Kirāta* highlanders), and wild tribes (*Āṭavī*) is always a menace." Again, a king in despair (*utsāhahīna*) is advised to turn as a last source of strength to an army recruited from the fearless soldiers (*pravīra-purushāṇām*) of the warrior-clans (*śreṇī*), gangs of brigands (*choragaṇa*), the foresters (*Āṭavika*), and the Mlechchha tribes (like the Kirātas) [VII. 14]. Among these, again, Kauṭilya [VIII. 4] values the Āṭavikas more than the *Choras* or *Pratirodhakas*. These are used to nocturnal operations, hiding in forests (*rātri-satra-charāḥ*), and to petty plunder of rich individuals (*pradhāna-kopakāścha*). The Āṭavikas, on the other hand, are a settled people, proud of their country (*svadeśa-sthāḥ*), operating openly and in day-light (*prakāśā dṛiśyāścharanti*), engaging in open warfare (*prakā-śayodhinaḥ*) and publicly plundering property and killing people (*apahartāro hantāraścha*) like independent sovereigns (*rājasadharmāṇaḥ*), are many in number (*prabhūtāḥ*), and invincible (*vikrāntāḥ*). The Aṭavikas are also counted by Kauṭilya as a source of external danger (*bāhyakopa*) to the State along with the *Rāshṭramukhyas* (the provincial governors) and *Antapālas* [IX. 3]. These soldiers are best paid in kind (*kupya*) and in loot obtained in the enemy’s country [IX. 2].