History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c30.s1: Concept of Fortification

v1.c30.s1.1

The erection of a physical barrier between oneself and an anticipated enemy is the basic concept of fortification. The nature of the barrier changes with reference to the thing to be protected and the danger to it perceived by its protectors. To cite an example, the object of protection could be a temporary camp and the danger apprehended might be of wild animals; or, it could be a whole city and the danger might be posed by an army equipped with artillery. In the case of the former, a train of carriages chained to each other and small screens of tough branches or bamboos in between, would be enough whereas in the case of the latter strong stone walls of considerable height and thickness would be needed. However, the basic concept is the same - a physical barrier. The fortification is thus static, purely defensive in purpose and is in the nature of a well thought-out reaction to a given set of circumstances. Since these might change, and the nature and size of the objects to be defended might change, the nature of fortification would undergo a corresponding change.