16 



THE NiTIPRAKAilKA. 



It contains especially valuable information about the com- 

 position of the army, the use made of its various branches as 

 elephants, chariots, cavalry and infantry, the employment of 

 artisans for military purposes, and an enumeration of the 

 most necessary provisions. "We find in it also discussed such 

 subjects as the qualifications required for officers, a system of 

 promotion according to seniority, pension-grants to faithful 

 servants and their relicts, and other similar interesting topics. 



In the opening verses (3-11) the various military arrays 

 are enumerated ; upwards of thirty are mentioned. 32 The 

 battle-order is described in the following manner : — * 

 Arrange- 12. A king, who ranges in battle-order the elephants in 

 troops. front, the chariots behind, the horses on both sides and in the 

 rear the infantry, ought to be victorious. 



13. According to the undertaking the king should send 

 to the front the chariots, elephants, horses and infantry, or 

 the horses, chariots, elephants and infantry, or the infantry, 

 horses, chariots and 



14. elephants, together with their attendants, having 

 arranged them in proper order and having fixed on the right 

 place and time. 



Ke view of 15. An excellent king, who has got his troops ready for 

 war and is intent on an expedition, should, standing in the 

 centre, review them and then send them forward. 



15 J. Anxious for an engagement with the enemy, he should 

 march towards him. 

 Disposi- 16 1 . He should place in the midst of the army the shield- 

 men, bearers, small-swordsmen, runners and volunteers, (in fact) 

 the strongest men and the most efficient soldiers. 



Thants 17 ^' He stoul(i render fit for fighting the elephants 

 e ep an s * which are five years old, and those which are ten, thirty 

 and fifty years old, as well as those i i rut. 



31 See Weapons, p. 6, and Madras Journal, p. 172. 



