Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
[Ch. III
another. It provides the informations that the chariot-force of king Küņika-Ajātaśatru was strengthened by the introduction of two war engines, viz. Mahāśilākanjaka? (a big stone-catapult) and Rathamusala,' a chariot having no horse, no charioteer, no soldier but having a musala (club or mace) fitted to it. Uniqueness of this weapon in the history of the ancient Indian army is not found anywhere else.
The importance of chariots as referred to in the Bhs and other Jaina texts was also realized by the Arthaśāstras for the
protection of the army, repelling the attack made by all the four (columns) constituents of the enemy's army, seizing and abandoning (positions) during the time of battle, gathering a dispersed army, breaking the compact array of enemy's army, frightening it, etc." Infantry
According to the Bhs the infantry was the fourth column of the army, consisting of a large number of trained and disciplined soldiers mostly recruited from the common people. The account of foot soldiers as given in this canonical work is also corroborated by those of other Jaina texts."
According to the Arthasāstra the infantry "carried weapons to all places" and fought on all fronts.
It is clear from the study of the evidences furnished by all sources that the infantry was the most important fighting force for close-fighting and ultimate success in any war, because it bore the brunt of the first attack of the enemy in collaboration with the cavalry and fought its way to final victory in the face of stubborn resistance offered by the rival forces.
An army or a country of an enemy power may be attacked and harassed by the other columns of the fighting force, but it cannot be conquered without the service of a strong infantry.
i Bhs, 7, 9, 300. 16, 7, 9, 301. . Arthasastra, 371, p. 399. 4 Bhs, 7, 9, 300; 9, 33, 385; 7, 9, 301. o Ovõiya Suya, 31, p. 132 ; Vivāga Suya, 2, p. 13, 6 Arthaśāstra, 371, p. 399,