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Capture of the Enemy
Capture of the Enemy mainly talks of capturing the enemy either by means of secret contrivances or by means of army. Chapter V of Book XII in Arthashastra, includes the procedure with such a king can be captured.

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Capture of the Enemy as included in the chapter of Book XII in Arthashastra, mentions that an enemy king can be captured with fares means as well as by means of treachery which shall include secret contrivances as well as the efforts of the army. Contrivances to kill the enemy may be formed in the places of worship and visit, in which the enemy under the influence of god and worship pays frequent visits usually quite unprotected. According to Kautilya the place of worship like a temple is quite prone to such attacks in which a false sealing can be set to be dropped on the enemy when he enters into the temple, or arrows can be showered on the enemy from the top of the roof. Huge rods and weapons can be placed behind the idols which can be used when the enemy comes close to the idol for worshiping. The staircases can be sprinkled with poisonous water while pits can be dug which shall consist of spearhead on which the enemy may fall pray.

Capture of the Enemy then includes other methods to capture the enemy which talks of capturing the enemy in his fort. It also mentions that grass and firewood should be set as far as a yojana (55/ 44 miles); water should be vitiated and allowed to be circulated in the area around the enemy; in case the enemy tries to escape through the tunnels which has been broadened and opens in the ditches outside the fort, should be filled with poisonous water and allowed to flow in. It further mentions that after arranging the security of the fort by the scions of his own family members, the enemy may find ways to move to the opposite direction where it can find some help from his friends, relatives and wild tribes or from his treacherous friends who possesses some property. If the enemy is captured by the king`s allies in then rear then messages can be sent to the weak king ensuring that such an enemy has been trapped in our area and shall be either banished or left on the condition of exchanging the items of trade and profit if the weak king does not take possession of this enemy. After having access to the enemy`s cattle, the officer in charge of the boundaries shall, have the right to slay the enemy in good faith or can force him to rush to areas which are full of enemies which shall bring their end.

Thus, Capture of the Enemy includes those steps with which the enemy king can be traced and killed either directly or with treachery which shall help the conqueror to come closer to complete victory.


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