Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

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AN EARLY HISTORY OF ORISSA
of Indian army in ancient period. Secondly, the fact that Khāravela was able to undertake, in the very second year of his reign, such a campaign in defiance of so powerful à rival king like Sātakarņi distinctly proves that he ascended the throne of Kalinga which was well-guarded by a strong armed force. In other words, the fighting army of Khāravela was, more or less, the fighting army of his predecessors.
Senā or army is a general term for denoting the fighting strength of a king, while senā and vāhana (troops and conveyance) are the two terms to distinguish the fighting warriors and soldiers from horses, elephants and chariots considered as vehicles and conveyances. We come across the use of all these technical terms in the Hāthigumphā inscription.
There is nothing distinctly 'on record to indicate whether, when and how king Khāravela increased the number and fighting equipment of his army. It may be easily inferred, however, from the eighth year's record ( line 9 ) that the troops and transports with which he attacked the people of Rājagriha did not suffice to withstand the fear of counter-attacks. He must have sufficiently reinforced his fighting army and increased its equipment before he marched out again in his twelfth year to produce consternation among the rulers of Uttarāpatha as well as to subdue Bahasatimita, the reigning king of Magadha. (Line 13)
Thus it may be seen that the Kalingan army of Khāravela was sufficiently well equipped and enormously on foot. The Epic car-warrior was attended by a retinue of foot-men, The same system was continued during the Maurya period and also in latter times. The size and equipment of the war-chariots went on to change from period to period.