Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c13.s2.1

c13.s2.1

Details regarding the equipment of the Infantry may be derived from a variety of sources. According to Arrian, “the foot soldiers carry a bow of equal length with the man who bears it. This they rest upon the ground and pressing against it with their left foot, thus discharge the arrow, having drawn the string far backwards; for the shaft they use is little short of being three yards long and there is nothing which can resist an Indian archer’s shot—neither shield nor breastplate nor any stronger defence, if such there be. In their left hand they carry bucklers of undressed ox-hide, which are not so broad as those who carry them but are about as long. Some are equipped with javelins instead of bows, but all wear a sword which is broad in the blade, but not longer than three cubits, and this, when they engage in a close fight (which they do with reluctance) they wield with both hands to fetch down a lustier blow.”