Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
by Mrs. Nandita Sarmah | 2014 | 67,792 words
This page relates ‘Part 9.3: Elephantry (gajarathi):’ 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 9.3: Elephantry (gajarathī):
[Full title: Arms, Army and Warfare (3): Elephantry (gajarathī)]
If the elephants became panicky, they made damages to their own army. Bāṇa notes that Harṣa’s royal stable was filled with king’s favorite horses as well as the state elephant named Darpaśāta.[1] In the time of Harṣa’s expedition, he came out from the fort with a female elephants.[2] The elephants were also used to work in carrying the stores at that time.[3] King Harṣa’s army camp (kaṭaka) was also filled with elephants and horses. The elephant caretakers were known as meṇṭhā.[4] They used to release the elephants and horses very early in the morning dew when the army was ready to march[5] with beautiful decoration.[6]
There were other groups, too, who travelled with the army troop. Such as—
- group of elephant keeper (meṇṭha),
- bachelors (baṇṭha),
- dullards (baṭhara),
- donkey boys (lambana),
- elephant riders (leśika),
- thieves,
- servants,
- porters (bhārika) etc.[7]
Again, several animals also helped the army troop. For example the donkeys, laden with bundles of clothes were used to carry the boys.[8]
According to the Amarakoṣa—
The oxen were used to carry the utensils.[10] According to Amarakoṣa-gantrī is a cart drawn by oxen.[11]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid.,II. p.31
[2]:
……prathamaprayāṇ…..kareṇukayā siddhayātrā…., Ibid.,VII. p.111
[3]:
[a] bhāṇḍagāravahanabāhyamānabahunālīvāhake, Ibid.,VII.p.109 [b] niṣādīniścalānekanekapāropyamāṇakośakalaśapīdāpīdasaṅkaṭāyamānasāmantaukasi, Ibid.
[4]:
Ibid.,p.110
[5]:
prabhuddhahāstikaśūnyīkriyamāṇaśaryyāgṛhe, suptotthitāśvīyavidhūyamānasaṭe, Ibid.,VII. p.109
[6]:
sajjīkṛtakareṇuka……mukhālepane, Ibid.,VII. p.110
[7]:
…..kikilāyamānairmeṇṭhavaṇṭhavaṭharalamvanaleśikaluṇṭhakaceṭacāṭacaṇḍālamaṇḍal-airāṇḍiraiḥ stūyamānam, Ibid.,VII. p.113
[8]:
sañcaraccelacakrākrāntacakrīvati, Ibid.,VII. p.110
[9]:
Amarakoṣa,VI.115
[10]:
cakracītkārigantrīgaṇagṛhyamāṇaprahatavartmani, Harṣacarita,VII. p.110
[11]:
Amarakoṣa, 8.52