Alexander vs Chandragupta

Who would win

  • Chandragupta

    Votes: 69 48.3%
  • Alexander

    Votes: 74 51.7%

  • Total voters
    143
How can you refute (i.e prove) alternative history to be correct (or incorrect)?

Especially on an internet forum.
This is like saying you can't either prove or refute a Tang dynasty army steamrolling a Middle Kingdom Egyptian army because they never faced each other. There are indeed AH scenarios that you can indeed refute or prove.

Then there's of course how Alexander surviving is pure ASB given he had a punctured lung combined with other wounds.
 
CHAPTER I. ENCAMPMENT.
ON a site declared to be the best according to the science of
buildings, the leader (náyaka), the carpenter (vardhaki), and the
astrologer (mauhúrtika) should measure a circular, rectangular, or
square spot for the camp which should, in accordance with the
available space, consist of four gates, six roads, and nine divisions.
Provided with ditches, parapets, walls, doors, and watch
towers for defence against fear, the quarters of the king, 1,000
bows long and half as broad, should be situated in one of the nine
divisions to the north from the centre, while to the west of it his
harem, and at its extremity the army of the harem are to be situated.
In his front, the place for worshipping gods; to his right the
departments of finance and accounts; and to his left the quarters of
elephants and horses mounted by the king himself. Outside this and
at a distance of 100 bows from each other, there should be fixed
four cart-poles (sakatamedhi) pillars and walls. In the first (of these
four divisions), the prime minister and the priest (should have their
quarters); to its right the store-house and the kitchen: to its left the
store of raw products and weapons; in the second division the
quarters of the hereditary army and of horses and chariots: outside
this, hunters and keepers of dogs with their trumpets and with fire;
also spies and sentinels; also, to prevent the attack of enemies,
wells, mounds and thorns should be arranged. The eighteen
divisions of sentinels employed for the purpose of securing the
safety of the king should be changing their watches in turn. In order
to ascertain the movements of spies, a time-table of business
should also be prepared during the day. Disputes, drinking, social
gatherings, and gambling should also be prohibited. The system of
passports should also be observed. The officer in charge of the
boundary (of the camp) should supervise the conduct of the
commander-in-chief and the observance of the instructions given
to the army.
* The instructor (prasástá) with his retinue and with
carpenters and free labourers should carefully march in front on the
road, and should dig wells of water.
[Thus ends Chapter I, “Encampment,” in Book X, “Relating to
War,” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and
twenty-ninth chapter from the beginning.]
 
CHAPTER II. MARCH OF THE CAMP; AND
PROTECTION OF THE ARMY IN TIMES OF DISTRESS
AND ATTACK.
HAVING prepared a list of the villages and forests situated
on the road with reference to their capacity to supply grass,
firewood and water, march of the army should be regulated
according to the programme of short and long halts. Food-stuffs
and provisions should be carried in double the quantity that may be
required in any emergency. In the absence of separate means to
carry food-stuffs, the army itself should be entrusted with the
business of carrying them; or they may be stored in a central place.
In front the leader (náyaka); in the centre the harem and the
master (the king); on the sides horses and bodyguards (báhútsára);
at the extremity of the (marching) circular-array, elephants and the
surplus army; on all sides the army habituated to forest-life; and
other troops following the camp, the commissariat, the army of an
ally, and his followers should select their own road: for armies who
have secured suitable positions will prove superior in fight to those
who are in bad positions.
The army of the lowest quality can march a yojana (5 5/44
miles a day); that of the middle quality a yojana and a half and the
best army two yojanas. Hence, it is easy to ascertain the rate of
march. The commander should march behind and put up his camp
in the front.
In case of any obstruction, the army should march in
crocodile array in the front, in cart-like array behind, and on the
sides in diamond-like array (i.e., in four or five rows, each having
its front, rear and sides) and in a compact array on all sides. When
the army is marching on a path passable by a single man, it should
march in pin-like array. When peace is made with one and war is to
be waged with another, steps should be taken to protect the friends
who are bringing help against enemies, such as an enemy in the
rear, his ally, a madhyama king, or a neutral king. Roads with
obstructions should be examined and cleared. Finance, the army,
the the strength of the armies of friends, enemies, and wild tribes,
the prospect of rains, and the seasons should be thoroughly
examined.
When the protective power of fortifications and stores (of the
enemies) is on its decay, when it is thought that distress of the hired
army or of a friend's army (of the enemy) is impending; when
intriguers are not for a quick march; or when the enemy is likely to
come to terms (with the invader), slow march should be made;
otherwise quick march should be made.
Waters may be crossed by means of elephants, planks spread
over pillars erected, bridges, boats, timber and mass of bamboos, as
well as by means of dry sour gourds, big baskets covered with
skins, rafts, gandiká (i), and veniká (i).
When the crossing of a river is obstructed by the enemy, the
invader may cross it elsewhere together with his elephants and
horses, and entangle the enemy in an ambuscade (sattra).
He should protect his army when it has to pass a long desert
without water; when it is without grass, firewood and water; when
it has to traverse a difficult road; when it is harassed by an enemy's
attacks; when it is suffering from hunger and thirst after a journey;
when it is ascending or descending a mountainous country full of
mire, water-pools, rivers and cataracts; when it finds itself crowded
in a narrow and difficult path; when it is halting, starting or eating;
when it is tired from a long march; when it is sleepy; when it is
suffering from a disease, pestilence or famine; when a great portion
of its infantry, cavalry and elephants is diseased; when it is not
sufficiently strong; or when it is under troubles. He should destroy
the enemy's army under such circumstances.
When the enemy's army is marching through a path
traversable by a single man, the commander (of the invader's army)
should ascertain its strength by estimating the quantity of
food-stuffs, grass, bedding, and other requisites, fire pots
(agninidhána), flags and weapons. He should also conceal those of
his own army.
* Keeping a mountainous or river fortress with all its
resources at his back in his own country he should fight or put up
his camp.
[Thus ends Chapter II, "March of the Camp; and Protection of the
Army in Times of Distress and Attack" in Book X, "Relating to
War" of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and
thirtieth chapter from the beginning.]
 
CHAPTER III. FORMS OF TREACHEROUS FIGHTS;
ENCOURAGEMENT TO ONE'S OWN ARMY AND FIGHT
BETWEEN ONE'S OWN AND ENEMY'S ARMIES.
HE who is possessed of a strong army, who has succeeded in
his intrigues, and who has applied remedies against dangers may
undertake an open fight, if he has secured a position favourable to
himself; otherwise a treacherous fight.
He should strike the enemy when the latter's army is under
troubles or is furiously attacked; or he who has secured a
favourable position may strike the enemy entangled in an
unfavourable position. Or he who possesses control over the
elements of his own state may, through the aid of the enemy's
traitors, enemies and inimical wild tribes, make a false impression
of his own defeat on the mind of the enemy who is entrenched in a
favourable position, and having thus dragged the enemy into an
unfavourable position, he may strike the latter. When the enemy's
army is in a compact body, he should break it by means of his
elephants; when the enemy has come down from its favourable
position, following the false impression of the invader's defeat, the
invader may turn back and strike the enemy's army, broken or
unbroken. Having struck the front of the enemy's army, he may
strike it again by means of his elephants and horses when it has
shown its back and is running away. When frontal attack is
unfavourable, he should strike it from behind; when attack on the
rear is unfavourable, he should strike it in front; when attack on one
side is unfavourable, he should strike it on the other.
Or having caused the enemy to fight with his own army of
traitors, enemies and wild tribes, the invader should with his fresh
army strike the enemy when tired. Or having through the aid of the
army of traitors given to the enemy the impression of defeat, the
invader with full confidence in his own strength may allure and
strike the over-confident enemy. Or the invader, if he is vigilant,
may strike the careless enemy when the latter is deluded with the
thought that the invader's merchants, camp and carriers have been
destroyed. Or having made his strong force look like a weak force,
he may strike the enemy's brave men when falling against him. Or
having captured the enemy's cattle or having destroyed the enemy's
dogs (svapadavadha?), he may induce the enemy's brave men to
come out and may slay them. Or having made the enemy's men
sleepless by harassing them at night, he may strike them during the
day, when they are weary from want of sleep and are parched by
heat, himself being under the shade. Or with his army of elephants
enshrouded with cotton and leather dress, he may offer a
night-battle to his enemy. Or he may strike the enemy's men during
the afternoon when they are tired by making preparations during
the forenoon; or he may strike the whole of the enemy's army when
it is facing the sun.
A desert, a dangerous spot, marshy places, mountains,
valleys, uneven boats, cows, cart-like array of the army, mist, and
night are sattras (temptations alluring the enemy against the
invader).
The beginning of an attack is the time for treacherous fights.
As to an open or fair fight, a virtuous king should call his
army together, and, specifying the place and time of battle, address
them thus: "I am a paid servant like yourselves; this country is to be
enjoyed (by me) together with you; you have to strike the enemy
specified by me."
His minister and priest should encourage the army by saying
thus:
"It is declared in the Vedas that the goal which is reached by
sacrificers after performing the final ablutions in sacrifices in
which the priests have been duly paid for is the very goal which
brave men are destined to attain." About this there are the two
verses--
* Beyond those places which Bráhmans, desirous of getting into
heaven, attain together with their sacrificial instruments by
performing a number of sacrifices, or by practising penance are the
places which brave men, losing life in good battles, are destined to
attain immediately.
* Let not a new vessel filled with water, consecrated and covered
over with darbha grass be the acquisition of that man who does not
fight in return for the subsistence received by him from his master,
and who is therefore destined to go to hell.
Astrologers and other followers of the king should infuse
spirit into his army by pointing out the impregnable nature of the
array of his army, his power to associate with gods, and his
omnisciency; and they should at the same time frighten the enemy.
The day before the battle, the king should fast and lie down on his
chariot with weapons. He should also make oblations into the fire
pronouncing the mantras of the Atharvaveda, and cause prayers to
be offered for the good of the victors as well as of those who attain
to heaven by dying in the battle-field. He should also submit his
person to Bráhmans; he should make the central portion of his
army consist of such men as are noted for their bravery, skill, high
birth, and loyalty and as are not displeased with the rewards and
honours bestowed on them. The place that is to be occupied by the
king is that portion of the army which is composed of his father,
sons, brothers, and other men, skilled in using weapons, and having
no flags and head-dress. He should mount an elephant or a chariot,
if the army consists mostly of horses; or he may mount that kind of
animal, of which the army is mostly composed or which is the most
skillfully trained. One who is disguised like the king should attend
to the work of arraying the army.
Soothsayers and court bards should describe heaven as the
goal for the brave and hell for the timid; and also extol the caste,
corporation, family, deeds, and character of his men. The followers
of the priest should proclaim the auspicious aspects of the
witchcraft performed. Spies, carpenters and astrologers should also
declare the success of their own operations and the failure of those
of the enemy.
After having pleased the army with rewards and honours, the
commander-in-chief should address it and say:--
A hundred thousand (panas) for slaying the king (the enemy);
fifty thousand for slaying the commander-in-chief, and the
heir-apparent; ten thousand for slaying the chief of the brave; five
thousand for destroying an elephant, or a chariot; a thousand for
killing a horse, a hundred (panas) for slaying the chief of the
infantry; twenty for bringing a head; and twice the pay in addition
to whatever is seized. This information should be made known to
the leaders of every group of ten (men).
Physicians with surgical instruments (sastra), machines,
remedial oils, and cloth in their hands; and women with prepared
food and beverage should stand behind, uttering encouraging
words to fighting men.
The army should be arrayed on a favourable position, facing
other than the south quarter, with its back turned to the sun, and
capable to rush as it stands. If the array is made on an unfavourable
spot, horses should be run. If the army arrayed on an unfavourable
position is confined or is made to run away from it (by the enemy),
it will be subjugated either as standing or running away; otherwise
it will conquer the enemy when standing or running away. The
even, uneven, and complex nature of the ground in the front or on
the sides or in the rear should be examined. On an even site,
staff-like or circular array should be made; and on an uneven
ground, arrays of compact movement or of detached bodies should
be made.
Having broken the whole army (of the enemy), (the invader)
should seek for peace; if the armies are of equal strength, he should
make peace when requested for it; and if the enemy's army is
inferior, he should attempt to destroy it, but not that which has
secured a favourable position and is reckless of life.
* When a broken army, reckless of life, resumes its attack, its
fury becomes irresistible; hence he should not harass a broken
army (of the enemy).
[Thus ends Chapter III, "Forms of Treacherous Fights;
Encouragement to One's Own Army, and Fight Between One's
Own and Enemy's Armies," in Book X, "Relating to War," of the
Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and thirty-first chapter
from the beginning.]
 
CHAPTER IV. BATTLEFIELDS; THE WORK OF
INFANTRY, CAVALRY, CHARIOTS, AND ELEPHANTS.
FAVOURABLE positions for infantry, cavalry, chariots, and
elephants are desirable both for war and camp.
For men who are trained to fight in desert tracts, forests,
valleys, or plains, and for those who are trained to fight from
ditches or heights, during the day or night, and for elephants which
are bred in countries with rivers, mountains, marshy lands, or
lakes, as well as for horses, such battlefields as they would find
suitable (are to be secured).
That which is even, splendidly firm, free from mounds and
pits made by wheels and foot-prints of beasts, not offering
obstructions to the axle, free from trees, plants, creepers and trunks
of trees, not wet, and free from pits, ant-hills, sand, and thorns is
the ground for chariots.
For elephants, horses and men, even or uneven grounds are
good, either for war or for camp.
That which contains small stones, trees and pits that can be
jumped over and which is almost free from thorns is the ground for
horses.
That which contains big stones, dry or green trees, and
ant-hills is the ground for the infantry.
That which is uneven with assailable hills and valleys, which
has trees that can be pulled down and plants that can be torn, and
which is full of muddy soil free from thorns is the ground for
elephants.
That which is free from thorns, not very uneven, but very
expansive, is an excellent ground for the infantry.
That which is doubly expansive, free from mud, water and
roots of trees, and which is devoid of piercing gravel is an excellent
ground for horses.
That which possesses dust, muddy soil, water, grass and
weeds, and which is free from thorns (known as dog's teeth) and
obstructions from the branches of big trees is an excellent ground
are bred in countries with rivers, mountains, marshy lands, or
lakes, as well as for horses, such battlefields as they would find
suitable (are to be secured).
That which is even, splendidly firm, free from mounds and
pits made by wheels and foot-prints of beasts, not offering
obstructions to the axle, free from trees, plants, creepers and trunks
of trees, not wet, and free from pits, ant-hills, sand, and thorns is
the ground for chariots.
For elephants, horses and men, even or uneven grounds are
good, either for war or for camp.
That which contains small stones, trees and pits that can be
jumped over and which is almost free from thorns is the ground for
horses.
That which contains big stones, dry or green trees, and
ant-hills is the ground for the infantry.
That which is uneven with assailable hills and valleys, which
has trees that can be pulled down and plants that can be torn, and
which is full of muddy soil free from thorns is the ground for
elephants.
That which contains lakes, which is free from mounds and
wet lands, and which affords space for turning is an excellent
ground for chariots.
Positions suitable for all the constituents of the army have
been treated of. This explains the nature of the ground which is fit
for the camp or battle of all kinds of the army.
Concentration on occupied positions, in camps and forests;
holding the ropes (of beasts and other things) while crossing the
rivers or when the wind is blowing hard; destruction or protection
of the commissariat and of troops arriving afresh; supervision of
the discipline of the army; lengthening the line of the army;
protecting the sides of the army; first attack; dispersion (of the
enemy's army); trampling it down; defence; seizing; letting it out;
causing the army to take a different direction; carrying the treasury
and the princes; falling against the rear of the enemy; chasing the
timid; pursuit; and concentration--these constitute the work of
horses.
Marching in the front; preparing the roads, camping grounds
and path for bringing water; protecting the sides; firm standing,
fording and entering into water while crossing pools of water and
ascending from them; forced entrance into impregnable places;
setting or quenching the fire; the subjugation of one of the four
constituents of the army; gathering the dispersed army; breaking a
compact army; protection against dangers; trampling down (the
enemy's army); frightening and driving it; magnificence; seizing;
abandoning; destruction of walls, gates and towers; and carrying
the treasury--these constitute the work of elephants.
Protection of the army; repelling the attack made by all the
four constituents of the enemy's army; seizing and abandoning
(positions) during the time of battle; gathering a dispersed army;
breaking the compact array of the enemy's army; frightening it;
magnificence; and fearful noise--these constitute the work of
chariots.
Always carrying the weapons to all places; and
fighting--these constitute the work of the infantry.
The examination of camps, roads, bridges, wells and rivers;
carrying the machines, weapons, armours, instruments and
provisions; carrying away the men that are knocked down, along
with their weapons and armours---these constitute the work of free
labourers.
* The king who has a small number of horses may combine
bulls with horses; likewise when he is deficient in elephants, he
may fill up the centre of his army with mules, camels and carts.
[Thus ends Chapter IV, “Battlefields; the Work of Infantry,
Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants,” in Book X, “Relating to War,”
of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and
thirty-second chapter from the beginning.]
 

Skallagrim

Banned
Then there's of course how Alexander surviving is pure ASB given he had a punctured lung combined with other wounds.

I've pointed out your misapplication of the term "ASB" before, as well as many of the other flaws in your overly determinist claims. You stopped responding when I refuted all your unfounded claims one by one. I see that you're of the sort that stops answering when corrected, and then just repeats the same flawed claims elsewhere. Learning capacity: apparently zero.
 
CHAPTER V. THE DISTINCTIVE ARRAY OF TROOPS IN
RFSPECT OF WINGS, FLANKS, AND FRONT;
DISTINCTION BETWEEN STRONG AND WEAK
TROOPS; AND BATTLE WITH INFANTRY, CAVALRY,
CHARIOTS AND ELEPHANTS.
HAVING fortified a camp at the distance of five hundred
bows he should begin to fight. Having detached the flower of the
army and kept it on a favourable position not visible (to the
enemy), the commander-in-chief and the leader should array the
rest of the army. The infantry should be arrayed such that the space
between any two men is a sama (14 angulas); cavalry with three
samas; chariots with four samas; and elephants with twice or thrice
as much space (as between any two chariots). With such an array
free to move and having no confusion, one should fight. A bow
means five aratnis (5 x 54 = 120 angulas). Archers should be
stationed at the distance of five bows (from one line to another); the
cavalry at the distance of three bows; and chariots or elephants at
the distance of five bows.
The intervening space (aníkasandhi) between wings, flanks
and front of the army should be five bows. There must be three men
to oppose a horse (pratiyoddha); fifteen men or five horses to
oppose a chariot or an elephant; and as many (fifteen) servants (
pádagopa) for a horse, a chariot and an elephant should be
maintained.
Three groups (aníka) of three chariots each should be
stationed in front; the same number on the two flanks and the two
wings. Thus, in an array of chariots, the number of chariots
amounts to forty-five, two hundred and twenty-five horses, six
hundred and seventy-five men, and as many servants to attend
upon the horses, chariots and elephants--this is called an even array
of troops. The number of chariots in this array (of three groups of
three chariots each) may be increased by two and two till the
increased number amounts to twenty-one. Thus, this array of odd
numbers of chariots gives rise to ten odd varieties. Thus the surplus
of the army may therefore be distributed in the above manner.
Two-thirds of the (surplus) chariots may be added to the flanks and
the wings, the rest being put in front. Thus the added surplus of
chariots should be one-third less (than the number added to the
flanks and wings). This explains the distribution of surplus
elephants and horses. As many horses, chariots, and elephants may
be added as occasion no confusion in fighting.
Excess of the army is called surplus (ávápa); deficiency in
infantry is called absence of surplus (pratyávápa); excess of any
one of the four constituents of the army is akin to surplus
(anvávápa); excess of traitors is far from surplus (atyávápa); in
accordance with one's own resources, one should increase one's
army from four to eight times the excess of the enemy's army or the
deficiency in the enemy's infantry.
The array of elephants is explained by the array of chariots.
An array of elephants, chariots, and horses mixed together may
also be made: at the extremities of the circle (array), elephants; and
on the flanks, horses and principal chariots. The array in which the
front is occupied by elephants, the flanks by chariots, and the
wings by horses is an array which can break the centre of the
enemy's army; the reverse of this can harass the extremities of the
enemy's army. An array of elephants may also be made: the front
by such elephants as are trained for war; the flanks by such as are
trained for riding; and the wings by rogue elephants. In an array of
horses, the front by horses with mail armour; and the flanks and
wings by horses without armour. In an array of infantry, men
dressed in mail armour in front, archers in the rear, and men
without armour on the wings; or horses on the wings, elephants on
the flanks, and chariots in front; other changes may also be made so
as to oppose the enemy's army successfully.
The best army is that which consists of strong infantry and of
such elephants and horses as are noted for their breed, birth,
strength, youth, vitality, capacity to run even in old age, fury, skill,
firmness, magnanimity, obedience, and good habits.
One-third of the best of infantry, cavalry and elephants should
be kept in front; two-thirds on both the flanks and wings; the array
of the army according to the strength of its constituents is in the
direct order; that which is arrayed mixing one-third of strong and
weak troops is in the reverse order. Thus, one should know all the
varieties of arraying the array.
Having stationed the weak troops at the extremities, one
would be liable to the force of the enemy's onslaught. Having
stationed the flower of the army in front, one should make the
wings equally strong. One-third of the best in the rear, and weak
troops in the centre--this array is able to resist the enemy; having
made an array, he should strike the enemy with one or two of the
divisions on the wings, flanks, and front, and capture the enemy by
means of the rest of the troops.
When the enemy's force is weak, with few horses and
elephants, and is contaminated with the intrigue of treacherous
ministers, the conqueror should strike it with most of his best
troops. He should increase the numerical strength of that
constituent of the army which is physically weak. He should array
his troops on that side on which the enemy is weak or from which
danger is apprehended.
Running against; running round; running beyond; running
back; disturbing the enemy's halt; gathering the troops; curving,
circling, miscellaneous operations; removal of the rear; pursuit of
the line from the front, flanks and rear; protection of the broken
army; and falling upon the broken army--these are the forms of
waging war with horses.
The same varieties with the exception of (what is called)
miscellaneous operations; the destruction of the four constituents
of the army, either single or combined; the dispersion of the flanks,
wings and front trampling down; and attacking the army when it is
asleep--these are the varieties of waging war with elephants.
The same varieties with the exception of disturbing the
enemy's halt; running against; running back; and fighting from
where it stands on its own ground--these are the varieties of waging
war with chariots.
Striking in all places and at all times, and striking by surprise
are varieties of waging war with infantry.
* In this way, he should make odd or even arrays, keeping the
strength of the four constituents of the army equal.
* Having gone to a distance of 200 bows, the king should take his
position together with the reserve of his army; and without a
reserve, he should never attempt to fight, for it is by the reserved
force that dispersed troops are collected together.
[Thus ends Chapter V, "The Distinctive Array of Troops in
Respect of Wings, Flanks and Front; Distinction between Strong
and Weak Troops; and Battle with Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and
Elephants,” in Book X, “Relating to War,” of the Arthasástra of
Kautilya. End of the hundred and thirty-third chapter from the
beginning.]
 
CHAPTER VI. THE ARRAY OF THE ARMY LIKE A
STAFF, A SNAKE, A CIRCLE, OR IN DETACHED
ORDER; THE ARRAY OF THE ARMY AGAINST THAT
OF AN ENEMY.
WINGS and front, capable to turn (against an enemy is what
is called) a snake-like array (bhoga); the two wings, the two flanks,
the front and the reserve (form an array) according to the school of
Brihaspati. The principal forms of the array of the army, such as
that like a staff, like a snake, like a circle, and in detached order, are
varieties of the above two forms of the array consisting of wings,
flanks and front.
Stationing the army so as to stand abreast, is called a
staff-like array (danda).
Stationing the army in a line so that one may follow the other,
is called a snake-like array (bhoga).
Stationing the army so as to face all the directions, is called a
circle-like array (mandala).
Detached arrangement of the army into small bodies so as to
enable each to act for itself, is termed an array in detached order
(asamhata).
That which is of equal strength on its wings, flanks and front,
is a staff-like array.
The same array is called pradara (breaking the enemy's array)
when its flanks are made to project in front.
The same is called dridhaka (firm) when its wings and flanks
are stretched back.
The same is called asahya (irresistible) when its wings are
lengthened.
When, having formed the wings, the front is made to bulge
out, it is called an eagle-like array.
The same four varieties are called "a bow," "the centre of a
bow," "a hold," and "a strong hold," when they are arranged in a
reverse form.
That, of which the wings are arrayed like a bow, is called
sanjaya (victory).
The same with projected front is called vijaya (conqueror);
that which has its flanks and wings formed like a staff is called
sthúlakarna (big ear); the same with its front made twice as strong
as the conqueror, is called visálavijaya (vast victory); that which
has its wings stretched forward is called chamúmukha (face of the
army); and the same is called ghashásya (face of the fish) when it is
arrayed in the reverse form.
The staff-like array in which one (constituent of the army) is
made to stand behind the other is called a pin-like array.
When this array consists of two such lines, it is called an
aggregate (valaya); and when of four lines, it is called an invincible
array--these are the varieties of the staff-like array.
The snake-like array in which the wings, flanks and front are
of unequal depth is called sarpasári (serpentine movement), or
gomútrika (the course of a cow's urine).
When it consists of two lines in front and has its wings
arranged as in the staff-like array, it is called a cart-like array; the
reverse of this is called a crocodile-like array; the cart-like array
which consists of elephants, horses and chariots is called
váripatantaka (?)--these are the varieties of the snake-like array.
The circle-like array in which the distinction of wings, flanks
and front is lost is called sarvatomukha (facing all directions), or
sarvatobhadra (all auspicious), ashtáníka (one of eight divisions),
or vijaya (victory)--these are the varieties of the circle-like array.
That, of which the wings, flanks and front are stationed apart
is called an array in detached order; when five divisions of the
army are arranged in detached order, it is called vajra (diamond),
or godha (alligator); when four divisions, it is called udyánaka
(park), or kákapadi (crow‟s foot); when three divisions, it is called
ardhachandrika (halfmoon), or karkátakasringi (?)--these are the
varieties of the array in detached-order.
The array in which chariots form the front, elephants the
wings, and horses the rear, is called arishta (auspicious).
The array in which infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants
stand one behind the other is called achala (immovable).
The array in which elephants, horses, chariots and infantry
stand in order one behind the other is called apratihata
(invincible).
Of these, the conqueror should assail the pradara by means
of the dridhaka; dridhaka by means of the asahya; syena
(eagle-like array) by means of chápa (an array like a bow); a hold
by means of a strong-hold; sanjaya by means of vijaya;
sthúlakarna by means of visálavijaya; váripatantaka by means of
sarvatobhadra. He may assail all kinds of arrays by means of the
durjaya.
Of infantry, cavalry, chariots and elephants, he should strike
the first-mentioned with that which is subsequently mentioned; and
a small constituent of the army with a big one.
For every ten members of each of the constituents of the
army, there must be one commander, called padika; ten padikas
under a senápati; ten senápatis under a náyaka, (leader).
The constituents of the array of the army should be called
after the names of trumpet sounds, flags and ensigns. Achievement
  • of success in arranging the constituents of the army, in gathering
the forces, in camping, in marching, in turning back, in making
onslaughts, and in the array of equal strength depends upon the
place and time of action.
* By the display of the army, by secret contrivances, by fiery spies
employed to strike the enemy engaged otherwise, by witch-craft,
by proclaiming the conqueror's association with gods, by carts, by
the ornaments of elephants;
* By inciting traitors, by herds of cattle, by setting fire to the camp,
by destroying the wings and the rear of the enemy's army, by
sowing the seeds of dissension through the agency of men under
the guise of servants;
* Or by telling the enemy that his fort was burnt, stormed, or that
some one of his family, or an enemy or a wild chief rose in
rebellion--by these and other means the conqueror should cause
excitement to the enemy.
* Thearrow shot by an archer may or may not kill a single man; but
skilful intrigue devised by wise men can kill even those who are in
the womb.
[Thus ends Chapter VI, “The Array of the Army like a Staff, a
Snake, a Circle, or in Detached Order; The Array of the Army
against that of an Enemy,”in Book X, “Relating to War,” of the
Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and thirty-fourth
chapter from the beginning. With this ends the tenth Book
“Relating to War” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]
From: Kautilya. Arthashastra. Translated by R. Shamasastry.
Bangalore: Government Press, 1915, 437-453.
 
Book XII, "Concerning a Powerful
Enemy"
CHAPTER I. THE DUTIES OF A MESSENGER.
WHEN a king of poor resources is attacked by a powerful
enemy, he should surrender himself together with his sons to the
enemy and live like a reed (in the midst of a current of water).
Bháradvája says that he who surrenders himself to the strong,
bows down before Indra (the god of rain).
But Visáláksha says that a weak king should rather fight with
all his resources, for bravery destroys all troubles; this (fighting) is
the natural duty of a Kshatriya, no matter whether he achieves
victory or sustains defeat in battle.
No, says Kautilya, he who bows down to all like a crab on the
banks (of a river) lives in despair; whoever goes with his small
army to fight perishes like a man attempting to cross the sea
without a boat. Hence, a weak king should either seek the
protection of a powerful king or maintain himself in an
impregnable fort.
Invaders are of three kinds: a just conqueror, a demon-like
conqueror, and a greedy conqueror.
Of these, the just conqueror is satisfied with mere obeisance.
Hence, a weak king should seek his protection.
Fearing his own enemies, the greedy conqueror is satisfied
with what he can safely gain in land or money. Hence, a weak king
should satisfy such a conqueror with wealth.
The demon-like conqueror satisfies himself not merely by
seizing the land, treasure, sons and wives of the conquered, but by
taking the life of the latter. Hence, a weak king should keep such a
conqueror at a distance by offering him land and wealth.
When any one of these is on the point of rising against a weak
king, the latter should avert the invasion by making a treaty of
peace, or by taking recourse to the battle of intrigue
(mantrayuddha), or by a treacherous fight in the battle-field. He
may seduce the enemy's men either by conciliation or by giving
gifts, and should prevent the treacherous proceedings of his own
men either by sowing the seeds of dissension among them or by
punishing them. Spies, under concealment, may capture the
enemy's fort, country, or camp with the aid of weapons, poison, or
fire. He may harass the enemy's rear on all sides; and he may
devastate the enemy's country through the help of wild tribes. Or he
may set up a scion of the enemy's family or an imprisoned prince to
seize the enemy's territory. When all this mischief has been
perpetrated, a messenger may be sent to the enemy, (to sue for
peace); or he may make peace with the enemy without offending
the latter. If the enemy still continues the march, the weak king
may sue for peace by offering more than one-fourth of his wealth
and army, the payment being made after the lapse of a day and
night.
If the enemy desires to make peace on condition of the weak
king surrendering a portion of this army, he may give the enemy
such of his elephants and cavalry as are uncontrollable or as are
provided with poison; if the enemy desires to make peace on
condition of his surrendering his chief men, he may send over to
the enemy such portion of his army as is full of traitors, enemies
and wild tribes under the command of a trusted officer, so that both
his enemy and his own undesirable army may perish; or he may
provide the enemy with an army composed of fiery spies, taking
care to satisfy his own disappointed men (before sending them over
to the enemy); or he may transfer to the enemy his own faithful and
hereditary army that is capable to hurt the enemy on occasions of
trouble; if the enemy desires to make peace on condition of his
paying certain amount of wealth, he may give the enemy such
precious articles as do not find a purchaser or such raw products as
are of no use in war; if the enemy desires to make peace on
condition of his ceding a part of his land, he should provide the
enemy with that kind of land which he can recover, which is
always at the mercy of another enemy, which possesses no
protective defences, or which can be colonized at considerable cost
of men and money; or he may make peace, surrendering his whole
state except his capital.
* He should so contrive as to make the enemy accept that
which another enemy is likely to carry off by force; and he should
take care more of his person than of his wealth, for of what interest
is perishing wealth?
[Thus ends Chapter I, "The Duties of a Messenger, and Request for
Peace," in Book XII, “Concerning a Powerful Enemy,” of the
Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and thirty-sixth
chapter from the beginning.]
 
CHAPTER II. BATTLE OF INTRIGUE.
IF the enemy does not keep peace, he should be told :--
"These kings perished by surrendering themselves to the
aggregate of the six enemies; it is not worthy of you to follow the
lead of these unwise kings; be mindful of virtue and wealth; those
who advise you to brave danger, sin and violation of wealth, are
enemies under the guise of friends; it is danger to fight with men
who are reckless of their own lives; it is sin to cause the loss of life
on both sides; it is violation of wealth to abandon the wealth at
hand and the friend of no mean character (meaning the addresser
himself); that king has many friends whom he will set against you
with the same wealth (that is acquired with your help at my
expense), and who will fall upon you from all sides; that king has
not lost his influence over the Circle of the madhyama and neutral
States; but you have lost that power over them who are, therefore,
waiting for an opportunity to fall upon you; patiently bear the loss
of men and money again; break peace with that friend; then we
shall be able to remove him from that stronghold over which he has
lost his influence. Hence, it is not worthy of you to lend your ear to
those enemies with the face of friends, to expose your real friends
to trouble, to help your enemies to attain success, and to involve
yourself in dangers costing life and wealth."
If without caring for the advice, the enemy proceeds on his
own way, the weak king should create disaffection among the
enemy's people by adopting such measures as are explained in the
chapters, "The Conduct of Corporations," and "Enticement of the
enemy by secret contrivances." He should also make use of fiery
spies and poison. Against what is described as deserving protection
in the chapter, "Safety of his own person," fiery spies and poisoners
should be employed (in the enemy's court). Keepers of harlots
should excite love in the minds of the leaders of the enemy's army
by exhibiting women endowed with youth and beauty. Fiery spies
should bring about quarrels among them when one or two of them
have fallen in love. In the affray that ensues they should prevail
upon the defeated party to migrate elsewhere or to proceed to help
the master (of the spies) in the invasion undertaken by the latter.
Or to those who have fallen in love, spies, under the guise of
ascetics, may administer poison under the plea that the medical
drugs given to them are capable of securing the object of love.
A spy, under the guise of a merchant, may, under the plea of
winning the love of an immediate maid-servant of the beautiful
queen (of the enemy), shower wealth upon her and then give her
up. A spy in the service of the merchant may give to another spy,
employed as a servant of the maid-servant, some medical drug,
telling the latter that (in order to regain the love of the merchant),
the drug may be applied to the person of the merchant (by the
maid-servant). On her attaining success (the maid-servant) may
inform the queen that the same drug may be applied to the person
of the king (to secure his love), and then change the drug for
poison.
A spy, under the guise of an astrologer, may gradually delude
the enemy's prime minister with the belief that he is possessed of
all the physiognomical characteristics of a king; a mendicant
woman may tell the minister's wife that she has the characteristics
of a queen and that she will bring forth a prince; or a woman,
disguised as the minister's wife, may tell him that, "The king is
troubling me; and an ascetic woman has brought to me this letter
and jewellery."
Spies, under the guise of cooks, may, under the pretence of
the king's (the enemy's) order, take some covetable wealth (to the
minister) meant for use in an immediate expedition. A spy under
the guise of a merchant may, by some contrivance or other, take
possession of that wealth and inform the minister of the readiness
of all the preparations (for the expedition). Thus by the
employment of one, two, or three of the strategic means, the
ministers of each of the combined enemies may be induced to set
out on the expedition and thus to be away from the inimical kings.
Spies, under the service of the officer in charge of the enemy's
waste lands, may inform the citizens and country people residing in
the enemy's fortified towns of the condition of the officer's
friendship with the people, and say: "The officer in charge of the
waste lands tells the warriors and departmental officers thus:--'The
king has hardly escaped from danger and scarcely returns with life.
Do not hoard up your wealth and thereby create enemies; if so, you
will all be put to death.'" When all the people are collected
together, fiery spies may take the citizens out of the town and kill
their leaders, saying: "Thus will be treated those who do not hear
the officer in charge of the waste lands." On the waste lands under
the charge of the officer, the spies may throw down weapons,
money and ropes bespattered with blood. Then other spies may
spread the news that the officer in charge of the waste lands
destroys the people and plunders them. Similarly, spies may cause
disagreement between the enemy's collector-general and the
people. Addressing the servants of the collector-general in the
centre of the village at night, fiery spies may say: "Thus will be
treated those who subject the people to unjust oppression." When
the fault of the collector-general or of the officer in charge of the
waste lands is widely known, the spies may cause the people to
slay either of them, and employ in his place one of his family or
one who is imprisoned.
* Spreading the false news of the danger of the enemy, they
(spies) may set fire to the harem, the gates of the town and the
store-house of grains and other things, and slay the sentinels who
are kept to guard them.
[Thus ends Chapter II, "The Duties of a Messenger and Battle of
Intrigue," in Book XII, “Concerning a Powerful Enemy,” of the
Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of “Battle of Intrigue.” End of the
hundred and thirty-seventh chapter from the beginning.]
 
CHAPTER III. SLAYING THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
AND INCITING A CIRCLE OF STATES.
SPIES in the service of the king (the enemy) or of his
courtiers may, under the pretence of friendship, say in the presence
of other friends that the king is angry with the chiefs of infantry,
cavalry, chariots and elephants. When their men are collected
together, fiery spies, having guarded themselves against night
watches, may, under the pretence of the king's (the enemy's) order,
invite the chiefs to a certain house and slay the chiefs when
returning from the house. Other spies in the vicinity may say that it
has been the king's (the enemy's) order to slay them. Spies may also
tell those who have been banished from the country: "This is just
what we foretold; for personal safety, you may go elsewhere."
Spies may also tell those who have not received what they
requested of the king (the enemy) that the officer in charge of waste
lands has been told by the king: "Such and such a person has
begged of me what he should not demand; I refused to grant his
request; he is in conspiracy with my enemy. So make attempts to
put him down." Then the spies may proceed in their usual way.
Spies may also tell those who have been granted their request
by the king (the enemy) that the officer in charge of waste lands has
been told by the king: "Such and such persons have demanded their
due from me; I have granted them all their requests in order to gain
their confidence. But they are conspiring with my enemy. So make
attempts to put them down." Then the spies may proceed in their
usual way.
Spies may also tell those who do not demand their due from
the king that the officer in charge of waste lands has been told:
"Such and such persons do not demand their due from me. What
else can be the reason than their suspicion about my knowledge of
their guilt? So make attempts to put them down." Then the spies
may proceed in their usual way.
This explains the treatment of partisans.
A spy employed as the personal servant of the king (the
enemy) may inform him that such and such ministers of his are
being interviewed by the enemy's servants. When he comes to
believe this, some treacherous persons may be represented as the
messengers of the enemy, specifying as "this is that."
The chief officers of the army may be induced by offering
land and gold to fall against their own men and secede from the
enemy (their king). If one of the sons of the commander-in-chief is
living near or inside the fort, a spy may tell him: "You are the most
worthy son; still you are neglected; why are you indifferent? Seize
your position by force; otherwise the heir-apparent will destroy
you."
Or some one of the family (of the commander-in-chief or the
king), or one who is imprisoned may be bribed in gold and told:
"Destroy the internal strength of the enemy, or a portion of his
force in the border of his country."
Or having seduced wild tribes with rewards of wealth and
honour, they may be incited to devastate the enemy's country. Or
the enemy's rear-enemy may be told : "I am, as it were, a bridge to
you all; if I am broken like a rafter, this king will drown you all; let
us, therefore, combine and thwart the enemy in his march."
Accordingly, a message may be sent to individual or combined
states to the effect : "After having done with me, this king will do
his work of you: beware of it. I am the best man to be relied upon."
* In order to escape from the danger from an immediate
enemy, a king should frequently send to a madhyama or a neutral
king (whatever would please him); or one may put one's whole
property at the enemy's disposal.
[Thus ends Chapter III, "Slaying the Commander-in-Chief and
Inciting a Circle of States,” in Book XII, “Concerning a Powerful
Enemy,” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya. End of the hundred and
thirty-eighth chapter from the beginnin
 
CHAPTER IV. SPIES WITH WEAPONS, FIRE, AND
POISON; AND DESTRUCTION OF SUPPLY, STORES
AND GRANARIES.
THE conqueror's spies who are residing as traders in the
enemy's forts, and those who are living as cultivators in the
enemy's villages, as well as those who are living as cowherds or
ascetics in the district borders of the enemy's country may send
through merchants, information to another neighbouring enemy, or
a wild chief, or a scion of the enemy's family, or an imprisoned
prince that the enemy's country is to be captured. When their secret
emissaries come as invited, they are to be pleased with rewards of
wealth and honour and shewn the enemy's weak points; and with
the help of the emissaries, the spies should strike the enemy at his
weak points.
Or having put a banished prince in the enemy's camp; a spy
disguised as a vintner in the service of the enemy, may distribute as
a toast hundreds of vessels of liquor mixed with the juice of the
madana plant; or, for the first day, he may distribute a mild or
intoxicating variety of liquor, and on the following days such
liquor as is mixed with poison; or having given pure liquor to the
officers of the enemy's army, he may give them poisoned liquor
when they are in intoxication.
A spy, employed as a chief officer of the enemy's army, may
adopt the same measures as those employed by the vintner.
Spies, disguised as experts in trading in cooked flesh, cooked
rice, liquor, and cakes, may vie with each other in proclaiming in
public the sale of a fresh supply of their special articles at cheap
price and may sell the articles mixed with poison to the attracted
customers of the enemy.
Women and children may receive in their poisoned vessels,
liquor, milk, curd, ghee, or oil from traders in those articles, and
pour those fluids back into the vessels of the traders, saying that at
a specified rate the whole may be sold to them. Spies, disguised as
merchants, may purchase the above articles, and may so contrive
that servants, attending upon the elephants and horses of the
enemy, may make use of the same articles in giving rations and
grass to those animals. Spies, under the garb of servants, may sell
poisoned grass and water. Spies, let off as traders in cattle for a
long time, may leave herds of cattle, sheep, or goats in tempting
places so as to divert the attention of the enemy from the attack
which they (the enemy) intend to make; spies as cowherds may let
off such animals as are ferocious among horses, mules, camels,
buffaloes and others beasts, having smeared the eyes of those
animals with the blood of a musk-rat (chuchundari); spies as
hunters may let off cruel beasts from traps; spies as snake charmers
may let off highly poisonous snakes; those who keep elephants
may let off elephants (near the enemy's camp); those who live by
making use of fire may set fire (to the camp, etc.). Secret spies may
slay from behind the chiefs of infantry, cavalry, chariots and
elephants, or they may set fire to the chief residences of the enemy.
Traitors, enemies and wild tribes, employed for the purpose, may
destroy the enemy's rear or obstruct his reinforcement; or spies,
concealed in forests, may enter into the border of the enemy's
country, and devastate it; or they may destroy the enemy's supply,
stores, and other things, when those things are being conveyed on a
narrow path passable by a single man.
Or in accordance with a preconcerted plan, they may, on the
occasion of a night-battle, go to the enemy's capital, and blowing a
large number of trumpets, cry aloud: "We have entered into the
capital, and the country has been conquered." After entering into
the king's (the enemy's) palace, they may kill the king in the tumult;
when the king begins to run from one direction to another,
Mlechchhas, wild tribes, or chiefs of the army, lying in ambush
(sattra), or concealed near a pillar or a fence, may slay him; or
spies, under the guise of hunters, may slay the king when he is
directing his attack, or in the tumult of attack following the plan of
treacherous fights. Or occupying an advantageous position, they
may slay the enemy when he is marching in a narrow path passable
by a single man, or on a mountain, or near the trunk of a tree, or
under the branches of a banian tree, or in water; or they may cause
him to be carried off by the force of a current of water let off by the
destruction of a dam across a river, or of a lake or pond; or they
may destroy him by means of an explosive fire or poisonous snake
when he has entrenched himself in a fort, in a desert, in a forest, or
in a valley. He should be destroyed with fire when he is under a
thicket; with smoke when he is in a desert; with poison when he is
in a comfortable place; with crocodile and other cruel beasts when
he is in water; or they may slay him when he is going out of his
burning house.
* By means of such measures as are narrated in the chapter,
"Enticement of the Enemy by Secret Means" or by any other
measures, the enemy should be caught hold of in places to which
he is confined or from which he is attempting to escape.
[Thus ends Chapter IV, "Spies with Weapons, Fire and Poison; and
Destruction of Supply, Stores and Granaries,” in Book XII,
“Concerning a Powerful Enemy,” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.
End of the hundred and thirty-ninth chapter from the beginning.]
 

Skallagrim

Banned
While I always enjoy some background reading, @Kaushlendra pratap singh -- could you perhaps stop posting large textwalls, and just provide a link to the source you're taking it from? I'm sure this text is available online. If you absolutely want to post it all here, please put it behind spoiler tags.
 

Derek Pullem

Kicked
Donor
This is like saying you can't either prove or refute a Tang dynasty army steamrolling a Middle Kingdom Egyptian army because they never faced each other. There are indeed AH scenarios that you can indeed refute or prove.

Then there's of course how Alexander surviving is pure ASB given he had a punctured lung combined with other wounds.
I am not sure what you are saying - are you saying that the opinions of one internet forum conclusively prove that another internet forum is wrong.

You cannot prove anything in alternate history. You can demonstrate it is very very unlikely (ASB) but Alexander's survival of multiple wounds was considered ASB at the time and was a large part in the cult that grew up after his death.
 
CHAPTER V. CAPTURE OF THE ENEMY BY MEANS OF
SECRET CONTRIVANCES OR BY MEANS OF THE
ARMY; AND COMPLETE VICTORY.
CONTRIVANCES to kill the enemy may be formed in those
places of worship and visit, which the enemy, under the influence
of faith, frequents on occasions of worshipping gods, and of
pilgrimage.
A wall or a stone, kept by mechanical contrivance, may, by
loosening the fastenings, be let to fall on the head of the enemy
when he has entered into a temple; stones and weapons may be
showered over his head from the topmost storey; or a door-panel
may be let to fall; or a huge rod kept over a wall or partly attached
to a wall may be made to fall over him; or weapons kept inside the
body of an idol may be thrown over his head; or the floor of those
places where he usually stands, sits, or walks may be be sprinkled
with poison mixed with cow-dung or with pure water; or under the
plea of giving him flowers, scented powders, or of causing scented
smoke, he may be poisoned; or by removing the fastenings made
under a cot or a seat, he may be made to fall into a pit containing
pointed spears; or when he is eager to escape from impending
imprisonment in his own country, he may be led away to fall into
the hands of a wild tribe or an enemy waiting for him not far from
his country; or when he is eager to get out of his castle he may be
like-wise misled or made to enter an enemy's country which is to
be restored (to the conqueror); the enemy's people should also be
kept under the protection of sons and brothers (of the conqueror) in
some forts on a mountain, or in a forest, or in the midst of a river
separated from the enemy's country by wild tracts of lands.
Measures to obstruct the movements of the enemy are
explained in the chapter, "The Conduct of a Conquered King."
Grass and firewood should be set on fire as far as a yojana (5
5/44 miles); water should be vitiated and caused to flow away;
mounds, wells, pits and thorns (outside the fort wall) should be
destroyed; having widened the mouth of the underground tunnel of
the enemy's fort, his stores and leaders may be removed; the enemy
may also be likewise carried off; when the underground tunnel has
been made by the enemy for his own use, the water in the ditch
outside the fort may be made to flow into it; in suspicious places
along the parapet (of the enemy's fort) and in the house containing
a well outside the fort, empty pots or bronze vessels may be placed
in order to find out the direction of the wind (blowing from the
underground tunnel); when the direction of the tunnel is found out,
a counter-tunnel may be formed; or having opened the tunnel, it
may be filled with smoke or water.
Having arranged for the defence of the fort by a scion of his
family, the enemy may run in an opposite direction where it is
possible for him to meet with friends, relatives, or wild tribes, or
with his enemy's treacherous friends of vast resources, or where he
may separate his enemy from the latter's friends, or where he may
capture the enemy's rear, or country, or where he may prevent the
transport of supplies to his enemy, or whence he may strike his
enemy by throwing down trees at hand, or where he can find means
to defend his own country or to gather reinforcements for his
hereditary army; or he may go to any other country whence he can
obtain peace on his own terms.
His enemy's (the conqueror's) allies may send a mission to
him, saying: "This man, your enemy, has fallen into our hands;
under the plea of merchandise or some presentation, send gold and
a strong force; we shall either hand over to you your enemy bound
in chains, or banish him." If he approves of it, the gold and the
army he may send may be received (by the conqueror).
Having access to the enemy's castle, the officer in charge of
the boundaries (of the enemy's country) may lead a part of his force
and slay the enemy in good faith under the plea of destroying a
people in some place, he may take the enemy to an inimical army;
and having led the enemy to the surrounded place, he may slay the
enemy in good faith.
A pretending friend may send information to an outsider:
"Grains, oil and jaggery and salt stored in the fort (of the enemy)
have been exhausted; a fresh supply of them is expected to reach
the fort at such and such a place and time; seize it by force." Then
traitors, enemies, or wild tribes, or some other persons, specially
appointed for the purpose, may send a supply of poisoned grains,
oil, jaggery, and salt to the fort. This explains the seizure of all
kinds of supply.
Having made peace with the conqueror, he may give the
conqueror part of the gold promised and the rest gradually. Thus he
may cause the conqueror's defensive force to be slackened and then
strike them down with fire, poison or sword; or he may win the
confidence of the conqueror's courtiers deputed to take the tribute.
Or if his resources are exhausted, he may run away
abandoning his fort; he may escape through a tunnel or through a
hole newly made or by breaking the parapet.
Or having challenged the conqueror at night, he may
successfully confront the attack; if he cannot do this, he may run
away by a side path; or disguised as a heretic, he may escape with a
small retinue; or he may be carried off by spies as a corpse; or
disguised as a woman, he may follow a corpse (as it were, of her
husband to the cremation ground); or on the occasion of feeding
the people in honour of gods or of ancestors or in some festival, he
may make use of poisoned rice and water, and having conspired
with his enemy's traitors, he may strike the enemy with his
concealed army; or when he is surrounded in his fort, he may lie
concealed in a hole bored into the body of an idol after eating
sacramental food and setting up an altar; or he may lie in a secret
hole in a wall, or in a hole made in the body of an idol in an
underground chamber; and when he is forgotten, he may get out of
his concealment through a tunnel, and, entering into the palace,
slay his enemy while sleeping, or loosening the fastenings of a
machine (yantra), he may let it fall on his enemy; or when his
enemy is lying in a chamber which is besmeared with poisonous
and explosive substances or which is made of lac, he may set fire to
it. Fiery spies, hidden in an underground chamber, or in a tunnel, or
inside a secret wall, may slay the enemy when the latter is
carelessly amusing himself in a pleasure park or any other place of
recreation; or spies under concealment may poison him; or women
under concealment may throw a snake, or poison, or fire or
poisonous smoke over his person when he is asleep in confined
place; or spies, having access to the enemy's harem, may, when
opportunities occur, do to the enemy whatever is found possible on
the occasion, and then get out unknown. On such occasions, they
should make use of the signs indicative of the purpose of their
society.
* Having by means of trumpet sounds called together the
sentinels at the gate as well as aged men and other spies stationed
by others, the enemy may completely carry out the rest of his work.
[Thus ends Chapter V, "Capture of the Enemy by Means of Secret
Contrivances or by Means of the Army; and Complete Victory," in
Book XII, "Concerning a Powerful Enemy,” of the Arthasástra of
Kautilya. End of the hundred and fortieth chapter from the
beginning. With this ends the twelfth Book, “Concerning a
Powerful Enemy,” of the Arthasástra of Kautilya.]
 
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