Chandragupta Maurya and His Times c7.90

c7.90

At a distance of 4 *daṇḍas* from the innermost ditch was to be constructed a rampart (*vapra*) of pressed mud, 6 *daṇḍas* in height and 12 in width, solidified by the tramp of elephants and cattle, and further consolidated by the planting on it of thorny bushes and poisonous creepers. The rampart was to be surrounded by parapets (*prākāra*) of bricks and square towers (*aṭṭālaka*). Between each tower was to be a cloister (*pratolī*). Between the tower and the cloister was to be a stand (*indrakośa*) to accommodate three archers (*tridhānushkādhishṭhānam*). There were secret passages between the parapets and ramparts (*devapatha* and *chāryā* and *chhannapatha*). These were also provided with openings (*dvāra*) and gates (*gopuram*). On the rampart were to be constructed at intervals hollows (*kulyā*) for the storage of weapons of all kinds, such as spades (*kuddāla*) of stone, axes (*kuṭhārī*), arrows (*kāṇḍa*), goads for elephants (*kalpanā*), clubs (*musṛṇṭhi*), bayonets (*mudgara*), missiles (*daṇḍa*), discus (*chakra*), machines (*yantra*), weapons fitted with spikes of iron (*śataghni*), weapons of steel (*kārmārikāḥ*), tridents (*śūla*), bamboos fitted with iron points, explosives (*agnisaṁyogāḥ*) and the like.