15.1. The fourfold division of army

(15) MILITARY AFFAIRS AND WARFARE—(a) FOURFOLD DIVISION OF ARMY—The army appears to have consisted of four divisions, viz., foot-soldiers (padati), war-chariots, cavalry, and elephants. The foot-soldiers marched with heavy steps.134 the 135 Dhanapala's Though Dr. P.C.Chakravarti thinks that the final disappearance of chariots from India's military system probably came about in the eighth century A.D., evidence would go against it inasmuch as a regular army, or a part of it, consisting of war-chariots has been specifically mentioned along with the elephants and horses in the Tilakamanjari of Dhanapala 'The cavalry consisted of a corps of specially bred good horses (jatyavaha), on which rode the Parikaras, the Menthas and the Vanthas, who dressed themselves tightly 136, 132. cf.Tilakamanjari, 298 (11-13) dattasi pitra mantri vargo tsahitene vigraho pasamaya | samprati tvatpradanamatrenaiva pratipanna samdhira yodhyadhipati se nama tervaja 542-4 ... 1 133. ibid., p.202(1)... 2014214444/14412-4119 azzinator.... 134. ibid., p.116(2ff.) samdarbha sarpatyadalinirddaya padapata pravartita kanda medini kampah --- | 135. Art of War in Ancient India,H.26. 136. cf. Tilakamanjari,p.84(16ff.)-3553& skaraana sion=3: ;371(15ff.). samvihito runabhibhih sresreni cakrah rahe va rudhinimiva yaudhanayuvaraja stha, yojaya nibhih na

678 137 and were expert at fast riding. The elephant corps seems to have formed the major arm of those days and they appear to have been elaborately equipped and employed in 138 great numbers. Of the military formations only two, viz,, Anikini and Vahini are mentioned. 139 They were commanded by an Anika-nayaka and a Vahinipati respectively. 140 The authority of the commander-in-chief (dandadhipa) extended over all the four arms of the military forees, including also the naval corps.