Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c14.79

c14.79

Kshatriyas. These correspond to the fifth class of Megasthenes in India’s population. In the words of Arrian: “It consists of the warriors who are second in point of numbers to the husbandmen but lead a life of supreme freedom and enjoyment. They have only military duties to perform. Others make their arms and others supply them with horses, and they have others to attend on them in the camp, who take care of their horses, clean their arms, drive their elephants, prepare their chariots and act as their charioteers. As long as they are required to fight, they fight, and, when peace returns, they abandon themselves to enjoyment—the pay which they receive from the State being so liberal that they can with ease maintain themselves and others besides.”