Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
by Mrs. Nandita Sarmah | 2014 | 67,792 words
This page relates ‘Part 9.1: Infantry (padati):’ of the English study on the Harshacharita: A Sanskrit (poetical work) which can be studied as a Historical book of Indian society during the 7th century. It was originally written by Banabhatta who based his Harsacarita on the life of the Gupta emperor Harshavardhana. This study researches the religion, philosophy, flora and fauna and society of ancient India as reflected in the Harsha-Charita.
Part 9.1: Infantry (padāti):
[Full title: Arms, Army and Warfare (1): Infantry (padāti)]
The armed sentinels in contempt were seen in the royal court (rājadvāra).[1] They were standing in the front door of the royal palace to guard the people coming through the main door, and reported to the king.[2] In the time of king’s yātrā, the infantry provided the advance guard of an army.[3] Bāṇa mentions the cāṭabhaṭa were used as the vanguard.[4] They were the first to march ahead among all the armies with the army flags in their hands.[5] The infantry vanguard of the army carried the large shields and long spears.[6] They protected the life of commanders and military officers who used the chariots. It is seen that the infantry not only harassed the people who wanted to visit the king in the path of yātrā but also used to beat them often.[7] The daṇḍadhara soldiers even harassed the brāhmaṇas too.[8] In the writings of Hieun Thsang there are examples of the infantry of the 7th century A.D. He mentions that they were experts in the use of all the weapons of war.[9]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
unmukhapādātapratipālyamānājñāpātai …..rājadvāram, Ibid.,VII.p.111
[3]:
……sahasramātreṇa padātibalena sanāthamaśvavṛndaṃ sandadarśa, Ibid.,I.p.9
[4]:
cārucārabhaṭasainyanyasyamānanāsiramaṇḍalāḍambarasthūlasthāsake, Ibid.,VII. p.109
[5]:
puraḥpradhāvadadhvajavāhini, Ibid.,VII. p.110
[6]:
puraścañcaccāmarakirmīrakārdaraṅgacarmamaṇḍalamaṇḍano….. ...cārabhaṭabharitabhuvanāntaraiḥ, Ibid.
[7]:
ārgāgramanirgatai….puraḥsaraja…..prakupitapracaṇḍadaṇḍivitrāsanavidrutairduragatairapi …narendranihitadṛstibhirasato’pi.., Ibid.,VII.p. 113
[8]:
kvacit …vetrivetravitrāsyamāna…vikrośadvivādibrāhmaṇam, Ibid.,VII.p.114