Chapter 5 - The Distinctive Array of Troops

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Summary: The Distinctive Array of Troops in Respect of Wings, Flanks and Front; Distinction Between Strong and Weak Troops; and Battle with Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants.

Having fortified a camp at the distance of five hundred bows, he should begin to fight. Having detached the flower of the army and kept it on a favourable position not visible (to the enemy), the commander-in-chief and the leader should array the rest of the army. The infantry should be arrayed such that the space between any two men is a śama (14 aṅgulas); cavalry with three śamas; chariots with four śamas; and elephants with twice or thrice as much space (as between any two chariots). With such an array free to move and having no confusion, one should fight. A bow means five aratnis (5 x 24 = 120 aṅgulas). Archers should be stationed at the distance of five bows (from one line to another); the cavalry at the distance of three bows; and chariots or elephants at the distance of five bows.

The intervening space (anīkasandhi) between wings, flanks and front of the army should be five bows. There must be three men to oppose a horse (pratiyoddhāraḥ [pratiyoddhṛ]); fifteen men or five horses to oppose a chariot or an elephant; and as many as (fifteen) servants (pādagopa) for a horse, a chariot and an elephant should be maintained.

Three groups (anīka) of three chariots each should be stationed in front; the same number on the two flanks and the two wings. Thus, in an array of chariots, the number of chariots amounts to forty-five; two hundred and twenty-five horses, six hundred and seventy-five men, and as many servants to attend upon the horses, chariots and elephants—this is called an even array of troops. The number of chariots in this array (of three groups of three chariots each) may be increased by two and two till the increased number amounts to twenty-one. Thus, this array of odd numbers of chariots gives rise to ten odd varieties. Thus the surplus of the army may therefore be distributed in the above manner. Two-thirds of the (surplus) chariots may be added to the flanks and the wings, the rest being put in front. Thus the added surplus of chariots hould [should?] be one-third less (than the number added to the flanks and wings). This explains the distribution of surplus elephants and horses. As many horses, chariots and elephants may be added as occasion no confusion in fighting.

Excess of the army is called surplus (āvāpa); deficiency in infantry is called absence of surplus^[1] (pratyāvāpa); excess of any one of the four constituents of the army is akin to surplus (anvāvāpa); excess of traitors is far from surplus (atyāvāpa); in accordance with one’s own resources, one should increase one’s army from four to eight times the excess of the enemy’s army or the deficiency in the enemy’s infantry.

The array of elephants is explained by the array of chariots. An array of elephants, chariots, and horses mixed together may also be made: at the extremities of the circle (array), elephants; and on the flanks, horses, and principal chariots. The array in which the front is occupied by elephants, the flanks by chariots and the wings by horses, is an array which can break the centre of the enemy’s army; the reverse of this can harass the extremities of the enemy’s army. An array of elephants may also be made: the front by such elephants as are trained for war; the flanks by such as are trained for riding; and the wings by rogue elephants. In an array of horses, the front by horses with mail armour; and the flanks and wings by horses without armour. In an array of infantry, men dressed in mail armour in front, archers in the rear, and men without armour on the wings; or horses on the wings, elephants on the flanks, and chariots in front; other changes may also be made so as to oppose the enemy’s army successfully.

The best army is that which consists of strong infantry and of such elephants and horses as are noted for their breed, birth, strength, youth, vitality, capacity to run even in old age, fury, skill, firmness, magnanimity, obedience, and good habits.

One-third of the best of infantry, cavalry and elephants should be kept in front; two-thirds on both the flanks and wings; the array of the army according to the strength of its constituents is in the direct order; that which is arrayed mixing one-third of strong and weak troops is in the reverse order. Thus, one should know all the varieties of arraying the army.

Having stationed the weak troops at the extremities, one would be liable to the force of the enemy’s onslaught. Having stationed the flower of the army in front, one should make the wings equally strong. One-third of the best in the rear, and weak troops in the centre—this array is able to resist the enemy; having made an array, he should strike the enemy with one or two of the divisions on the wings, flanks and front, and capture the enemy by means of the rest of the troops.

When the enemy’s force is weak, with few horses and elephants, and is contaminated with the intrigue of treacherous ministers, the conqueror should strike it with most of his best troops. He should increase the numerical strength of that constituent of the army which is physically weak. He should array his troops on that side on which the enemy is weak or from which danger is apprehended.

Running against; running round; running beyond; running back; disturbing the enemy’s halt; gathering the troops; curving, circling, miscellaneous operations; removal of the rear; pursuit of the line from the front, flanks and rear; protection of the broken army; and falling upon the broken army—these are the forms of waging war with horses.

The same varieties with the exception of (what is called) miscellaneous operations; the destruction of the four constituents of the army, either single or combined; the dispersion of the flanks, wings and front trampling down; and attacking the army when it is asleep—these are the varieties of waging war with elephants.

The same varieties, with the exception of disturbing the enemy’s halt; running against; running back; and fighting from where it stands on its own ground—these are the varieties of waging war with chariots.

Striking in all places and at all times, and striking by surprise, are varieties of waging war with infantry.

* In this way, he should make odd or even arrays, keeping the strength of the four constituents of the army equal.

* Having gone to a distance of 200 bows, the king should take his position together with the reserve of his army; and without a reserve he should never attempt to fight, for it is by the reserved force that dispersed troops are collected together.

[Thus ends Chapter V, “The Distinctive Army of Troops in Respect of Wings, Flanks and Front; Distinction Between Strong and Weak Troops; and Battle with Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants,” in Book X, “Relating to War” of the Arthaśāstra of Kauṭilya. End of the hundred and thirty-third chapter from the beginning.]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Pattibāhulya, excess of infantry is pratyāvāpa.