Early Medieval Asian Historical Features of Defense, Army, Police, Border Defense in Katyuri Imperialism of Kartikeyapur

History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar) - Part 112

   Early Medieval   Asian History of Katyuri Imperialism of Kartikeypur in Kumaon, Garhwal and Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) -23

          (Early Asian Medieval History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Doti Nepal (Uttarakhand, India))

                          (Early Asian Medieval History (740-1100 AD)

                                              By: Bhishma Kukreti

                        Powerful defense mechanism of Katyuri Kingdom of Asian Early Medieval Period

                   The Katyuri kings were famous for their large armed forces.  Defense mechanism of Katyuri Kings Kartikeypur (early medieval period) was superior in contemporary competition. These kings defended their territories for two and half centuries. The Khajuraho inscription states that the Chandel King Harsh was pleased by powerful contemporary Khasa King. The Katyuri Kings were able to defense their vulnerable borders due to powerful strategic defensive methods only.

                              Four Army Battalions Katyuri Kingdom of Asian Early Medieval Period

 The army of Katyuri of Kartikeypur (early medieval period) had main four army divisions

Padatik Army - The infantry was called Padatik.

Cavalry   Army- The cavalry armed force was called Ashwarohi Bal and the Army in charge of cavalry was called Ashwabaladhikrit.

War Elephant Army: The war elephant army was named as ‘Hasti bala’. The in charge for war elephant army was positioned as Hastibaladhikrit.

War Camel Cavalry and Artillery (Army) - The name for war camel army was Ustrabal. The war camel army in charge was called ‘Ustrabaladhikrit’.

In Charge of Three cavalries- The in charge of war horse army; war elephant army; war camel army was called ‘Hastyashoshtrabaladhikrit’.

  The elephant and camel armed forces show that Katyuri kings had rule over not only plains of Uttarakhand but in today’s western part of Uttar Pradesh or the Katyuri kings had powerful dense  mechanism against kingdoms of Indian plains

 The King was supreme of all armed force and the Kings used to lead the war. The Laitshur and Subhikshraj inscriptions suggest that Ishtagandev beheaded elephants of enemies.  

                Border Defense Mechanism in Katyuri Kingdom of Kartikeypur

  

            The Katyuri Kings of early medieval period were very much aware about border defense mechanism as Chadra Gupta Maurya (lalitshur inscription).

Prantpal- The Border defense in charge was called Prantpal or Border Security in charge.

Ghattpal- The security in charge of Mountain Passes of border region was called Ghattpal.

Vartampal- The Border Road Security in charge was called Vartampal.

Tarpati-  The security and tax officer for river crossing  and security was called Tarpati. All these security personnel were keeping eyes on unwanted and spies of other kingdoms and rebellions.

                     Police Force in Katyuri Kingdom of Kartikeypur (Early Medieval Period)

              The Katyuri Kings of Kartikeypur or of early Medieval Age were cautious for internal security too. There was separate department for internal security.

Dandik or Khangik – These police officers were to protect the state and public or people’s properties.

Doshparadhik- These officers were for capturing the criminals.

Dusadhyasadhanik _ This officer was in charge of officers those were engaged in researches on conspiracies in the kingdom. Spying and stopping spying into kingdom were the job of this department.

Chorodharanik- Chorodharanik used capture thieves and dacoits.

Dandpashik, Mahadandnayak and Dandnayak- Officers Mahadandnayak and Dandnayak were high level police officers for internal security. There were strong rules for punishing criminals those oppress the citizens.

                Security for Tourists in Katyuri Kingdom of Kartikeypur (Early Medieval Period)

          There were necessary internal security management for protecting citizens and tourists.

           The inflow of pilgrim tourists in Uttarakhand was more and the government used to manage their securities.

                          Facilities for Tourists in Katyuri Kingdom of Kartikeypur (Early Medieval Period)

           It is obvious that tourism was one of the major sources of income in Katyuri Kingdom of Kartikeypur period.

  There were shelter houses for tourists and on the road the government arranged for drinking water (Pyau).

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti -bckukreti@gmail.com 31/7/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

                           

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -113

Early Asian Medieval History of Katyuri Dynasty in Kumaon, Garhwal and Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued…24

        (Oriental Early Medieval History (740-1100 AD to be continued…)

                                        References

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1-Atkinson, E.T. 1974 (new edition), 1974, Kumaon Hills

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