The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t9.4

c11.t9.4

For want of positive evidence it is not possible yet to single out a Gustavus Adolphus of ancient India as *the* genius of Hindu military science and art from among the score of "world-conquerors" down to the *Gaṅgâikonda* Chola (1013—1108). Nor can any of the extant Sanskrit texts on warfare and war-office be definitely fathered on one or other of the historic emperors, generals, or presidents of military colleges. But to all writers¹ on strategy, tactics, battle-array, fortification, and arms and accoutrements, whether for the *dhanur-vedas* and *nîti-śâstras*, or for the *Manu-Samhitâ* and the *Mahâbhârata*, the military and naval chapters of the *Artha-śâstra* must have been but the postulates of the science of warfare and national defense. And these every theorist had to accept as the A, B, C of his investigation on "world-peace", or as Stockton, the American militarist, would have it euphemistically, on "peace insurance".²