a commission of thirty members, divided into six Boards each containing five members, to which departments were assigned as follows:—
Board I: Admiralty, in co-operation with the Admiral;
Board II: Transport, commissariat, and army service, including the provision of drummers, grooms, mechanics, and grass-cutters;
Board III: Infantry;
Board IV: Cavalry;
Board V : War-chariots;
Board VI: Elephants.
The strength of the force maintained by ('handra-gupta has been stated in Chapter I. Asoka.'s peaceful policy probably required a smaller military establishment, but nothing on the subject is recorded. The heaviness of the enemy's 'casualties in the Kalinga war indicates that Asoka must have employed a large force to reduce the country.
The arms, when not in use, were stored in arsenals, and ranges of stables were provided for the horses and elephants. Chariots, when on the march, were drawn by oxen in order to spare the horses. Each war-chariot, which had a team of either two or four horses harnessed abreast, carried two fighting-men, besides the driver. The chariot when used as a state conveyance was drawn by four horses. 'The victory of kings,' it was said, 'depends mainly upon elephants[1],'
- ↑ Arthraśâtra, Bk. ii, ch. 2. The author lays down that 'whoever kills an elephant shall be put to death.'
