Nitiprakasika (Critical Analysis)
by S. Anusha | 2016 | 34,012 words
This page relates ‘Pre-war Strategy (Introduction)’ of the study on the Nitiprakasika by Vaisampayana which deals primarily with with Dhanurveda, i.e., the science of war, weapons and military strategies of ancient Indian society. It further contains details on Niti-shastra, i.e., the science of politics and state administration but most verses of the Nitiprakashika deal with the classification and description of different varieties of weapons, based on the four groups of Mukta, Amukta, Muktamukta and Mantramukta.
Pre-war Strategy (Introduction)
A country if it has to be protected from the onslaught of neighbours has always to be vigilant about its safety. The enemy’s attack or disturbances within the country have to be handled in such a way that the country does not feel their effect. To be in such a position, the king should always be ready for war even during times of peace. Disturbances, though minor in their magnitude, shall arise suddenly even when the country is ruled well and is prosperous. Hence, a king should always be prepared for unforeseeable exigencies and keep his army in fit conditions at all times. For this purpose all the four factions of the army should always be under training and surveillance and be kept ready for action. The text deals will all such strategies as not only applicable to peace times but also to the period before actual war. Hence, in this section dealing with pre-war strategy, the preparations that are to be made when there is a plan to wage war against an enemy are discussed.