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The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t4: 4. Military India in the Seventh Century

The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t4

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4. Military India in the Seventh Century

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Bâṇa tells us in his biographical story-book, the *Harṣa-charita*,¹ that Emperor Harṣa made his debut with a solemn vow. "How can I rest", declared this *vijigîṣu* (aspirant to world-conquest) of the seventh century, "so long as my feet are not besmeared with an ointment found in every continent, consisting of the light of precious stones in the diadems of all kings?" Accordingly in 606 he set out on his career of triumph; and we know from Hiuen Thsang the figures as to the strength of Harṣa's army at two dates. It was at the head of 50,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry and 5,000 elephants that the Vardhana hero went forth "conquering and to conquer. But by the end of his first period of campaigns, continuously spread over five years and a half during which he brought Northern India to subjection, he was in command of 100,000 cavalry, and 60,000 elephants.² From Bâṇa's story we know, further, that Kuntala was a chief officer of the Vardhana cavalry, Simha-nâda was a *senâpati* (general), Avanti was the supreme minister of war and peace, and Skanda-gupta was commandant of the whole elephant troop.

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¹ pp. 177, 180, 187, 188, 189. *Vide* the description of mobilization, pp. 199—201, 206—209. See Harṣa's vow, p. 188.

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² *Si-Yuki*, Vol. I, p. 213.

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But the powerful army of Harṣa-vardhana's formidable adversary, Pulakeśî II, the Chalukya *sârva-bhauma* of Southern India, who compelled the northerner to know the limits of his ambition, is remembered today only by the triumphant resistance that he offered from the mountain-passes on the Narmada to the aggressor's southward march (620). Hiuen Thsang mentions only that the *forte* of the Deccan Emperor lay in the elephants. The Maratha monarch had, besides, a "fleet consisting of hundreds of ships". Purî, the Lakṣmî (the goddess), i. e. the queen of the Arabian Sea, is known to have been reduced by him as the result of naval engagements.³

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³ R. G. Bhandarkar's *Early Hist.*, sec. X.

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In the seventh century, probably both in Northern and Southern India, as we understand from Hiuen Thsang's general summary,⁴ the military force was divided into the traditional four arms, viz. infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants. The elephants were covered with strong armour and their tusks were provided with sharp spurs. The chariots were drawn by four horses abreast. Two attendants drove the chariot according to the command of the leader who sat between. The general issued orders from his chariot and was surrounded by a body of guards who kept close to his chariot wheels.

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⁴ *Si-Yu-ki*, Vol. I, p. 82, 83, 87.

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The cavalry spread themselves in front to resist an attack, and in case of defeat they carried orders to and fro. The infantry by their quick movements contributed to the defense. They carried a long spear and a great shield; sometimes they held a sword or sabre and advanced to the front with impetuosity. All their weapons were sharp and pointed.

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Soldiers were levied according to the requirements of the service; they were promised certain payments and were publicly enrolled.

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