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
32 (of 135)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
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Thus, it is to be seen that while dealing with the
architectural informations on fort-construction, we have
included similar informations on palace, throne and
other indigenous material together with forts, trying to
maintain the original sequence of SLP. While so doing,
the ritualistic aspect has been purposively kept out with
a view to describe those together with analogous
material.
(See Chapter III).
After describing the eight types of forts, the author
now ordains that a king should construct for himself any
one of the eight types of store-forts (Kostha-durgas) and
reside therein for the general prosperty of his kingdom
(34.6).
To start construction of such a fort an auspicious
day is selected. The king, on that day offers worship
to Ganesa and Vi艣vakarman, gratifies the masons who are
invited for the purpose and asks them to start the work. (7).
Site: Generally a suitable site is chosen for
such purposes.
SLP informs us that such a site must
have a highly elevated plain devoid of low and high lands
in its vicinity and be surrounded by a landmass which
can be quickly made use of, at the time of necessity.
A fort
is constructed generally with materials such as stone,
brick and mud as per the instructions mentioned below (8-9).
