Essay name: Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (Study)
Author:
Artatrana Sarangi
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This is a study in English of the Samrajya Lakshmi Pithika (written by Lolla Lakshmidhara) representing an encyclopedic manual for emperors. The Samrajyalaksmipithika encompasses about 3870 verses in addressing topics such as public festivals, governance, warfare (military strategy), and rituals associated with the Tantric worship for the deity Samrajya-Lakshmi.
Chapter 5 - Forts, Castrametation and the Royal Army
16 (of 135)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
511
in a cavern. It is defined as one, which is situated in
a forest-hole (vale), which is very large and uneven,
which immitates a mountain cave and is surrounded on
all sides by small mass of rocks. It is so constructed
that it is capable of duping the bystander, nearby,
about its existence and expanse. And in such forts are
stored sufficient quantities of grass, fire-wood and
water.
Such a fort, claims the author, remains
insurmountable even for the deathless ones (33.5-7).
The cavern-forts figures as independent class of
an
A
forts in SLP only. Other works maintain a strange
silence over according a special status to forts of this
class.
However, a study of the spelt-out characteristics
in respect of this class of forts reveals that these might
strongly allude to the airina forts mentioned by SN.
The cavern-forts are generally constructed in a terrain
which is vast, rough and is studded with innumerable
holes, resembling mountain caves. Such a ground is
again covered with small mass of stones - a rock-
One of
strewn and hollow landscape. the characteristic features
1 of such a fort, constructed amidst an arid landscape
is that, it is completely hidden from view so as not
to allow any knowledgea about its existence to an
