Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c13.s2.27

c13.s2.27

Superintendent of Chariots: (*Rathādhyaksha*). As pointed out by Megasthenes, there was a separate Department of the War Office charged with the duty of maintaining the efficiency of the chariot as an element of the army. The Head of the Department was called the Superintendent of chariots (*Rathādhyaksha*) whose functions have been detailed by Kauṭilya [II. 33]. He had primarily to attend to the construction of the chariots according to standard sizes corresponding to seven different kinds of chariots then in use. The war-chariots (*sāṁgrāmika* or *parapurābhiyānika*) were ten *purushas* (probably =7½ ft) in height and 6 *hastas* or 9 ft. in width. The chariot manufacturers had to be adequately paid. The next important duty of the Superintendent was to maintain the efficiency of the training of the chariotmen in shooting arrows, hurling missiles and darts, charioteering, controlling the steeds, and, generally fighting from the chariot [*Ib.*].