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Political Conditions and Institutions
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A chariot was a very important means of conveyance in olden days. Excellent horses were yoked to it and it was provided with an accomplished charioteer. The king's chariots bore special names. For instance, the chariot of Pajjoya (Pradyota) was called Aggibhiru (fire proof) and was considered to be one of the four jewels.?
The elephant played an important part in the army as well as on certain royal occasions. The kings were very fond of elephants, and the state-elephants bore special names. We hear of the elephant Sechanāga over which a great battle was fought between Kūņika-Ajātaśatru and Halla and Vehalla. The Bhagavati3 refers to two other elephants of Kūņika, viz., Udāyin and Bhūtānanda. Nalagiri, another elephant which belonged to Pajjoya, was considered one of his four precious possessions. Bhadravatı belonged to Udayana who successfully carried off Vāsavadattā on its back from Ujjayini to Kośāmbi.5 King Udayana was an adept in the art of winning over elephants by music.c
While the third constituent of the army was the cavalry, the foot-soldier formed its main portion. The whole army was under the control of the Senapati whose duty was to enforce discipline among the soldiers.
Realizing the terrible loss of both men and money, people tried to avoid wars in general. They first tried the four diplomatic means, viz., Sama, dāna, danda, and bheda, failing which they had to declare war. Before the two parties actually entered into war, a Dūta or a courtier, who convcyed the royal proclamation to the opposite party, was deputed with the message. We learn that before entering into war with Chcdaga, Kūņiya sent his Dūta to his opponent thrice, finally giving him orders to place his left foot on the foot-stool of the cncmy (in a spirit of defiance) and deliver him the letter keeping it on
1. Ara, chi, II, p. 160. 2. Ara chil, II, p. 1707. 3. Bhag, 7.9. 4. dra. chi. II, p. 160.
Ava. chu, II, pp. 161 f. 6. Ibid, II, p. 161.
