Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c6.170

c6.170

The ever-present possibility of war leads the Mahābhārata to make suggestions on military subjects and lay down laws of actual warfare which occasionally conflict with the relentless realism of Āpaddharma. The real stability of a kingdom consists not only in extent of dominion and amount of treasure but also in the loyalty of subjects and contentment of officers and servants. So far as possible, a king should try to gain his points without battles. Victories won by battle are not highly spoken of by the wise. Only after his own kingdom is consolidated should a king proceed to war. The government must be very careful in the selection of envoys. These should possess the qualifications of birth, eloquence, cleverness, sweet speech, a good memory and faithfulness in giving messages. It is a heinous sin to kill an ambassador. The Mahābhārata does perceive the desirability of avoiding war but in view of its probability it suggests measures of defence. Fortification is an integral part of sovereignty. The capital should be defended by citadels and stocked with everything. There are six varieties of citadels—those in forests or on hills, those on ordinary soil, those built of mud, water-citadels and human citadels. People should be encouraged to seek shelter in forts. In pursuit of strategic designs, whole villages might be transplanted to minor towns or to the skirts of great cities. Secrecy should be observed in the location of depots, arsenals, camps, quarters of soldiers and trenches as in that of streets, by-paths, houses, and gardens of retirement and pleasure. On entering foreign territory, a king should say to the people, "I am your king: I shall always protect you. Give me the just tribute or encounter me in battle." If he is accepted, well and good. Otherwise the people ought to be coerced. The crops on the hostile territory should be destroyed. Of course, dissensions should be produced in the enemy's camp.