Chapter 2.3 turns the durga into a machine of governance—terrain-sited, hazard-hardened, and circulation-controlled—to keep the state’s wealth and command alive under siege and shock. Fort selection is strategic logistics: terrain types are chosen for concealment, supply, and approach denial. Defenses are layered and measured: graded moats, an earthen rampart, and fire-resistant walls. Surveillance and response are engineered: watchtowers at intervals and gate complexes with defensive chambers. Movement is governance: controlled passageways regulate trade, troops, and evacuation. Resilience is the aim: sally-ports and contingency design preserve operability during invasion or revolt.
Sutra 1
निरुदकस्तम्बमिरिणं वा धान्वनं खञ्जनोदकं स्तम्बगहनं वा वनदुर्गम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०१ ॥
A forest-fort is a site that is either: a reed-thicket without water; barren/rough ground; arid land with scant water; or dense thickets of reeds.
Sutra 2
तेषां नदीपर्वतदुर्गं जनपदारक्षस्थानम् धान्वनवनदुर्गमटवीस्थानमापद्यपसारो वा ॥ कZ_०२.३.०२ ॥
For such forts/regions, there should be a river-fort or mountain-fort, protected stations for the countryside, and, in emergencies, withdrawal to desert-forts, forest-forts, or forest (āṭavī) stations.
Sutra 3
जनपदमध्ये समुदयस्थानं स्थानीयं निवेशयेत् वास्तुकप्रशस्ते देशे नदीसङ्गमे ह्रदस्याविशोषस्याङ्के सरसस्तटाकस्य वा वृत्तं दीर्घं चतुरश्रं वा वास्तुवशेन वा प्रदक्षिणोदकं पण्यपुटभेदनमंसपथवारिपथाभ्यामुपेतम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०३ ॥
In the middle of the countryside (janapada), he should establish the sthānīya as a center of revenue-collection and economic convergence, on a site approved by builders: at a confluence of rivers, on the bank of a non-drying lake, or by a natural lake or reservoir—laid out as circular, oblong, or square as suited to the site—with water available for circumambulation, equipped with facilities for opening/inspecting goods-bales, and connected by land-routes and water-routes.
Sutra 4
तस्य परिखास्तिस्रो दण्डान्तराः कारयेत् चतुर्दश द्वादश दशेति दण्डान्विस्तीर्णाः विस्तारादवगाढाः पादोनमर्धं वा त्रिभागमूलाः मूलचतुरश्रा वा पाषाणोपहिताः पाषाणेष्टकाबद्धपार्श्वा वा तोयान्तिकीरागन्तुतोयपूर्णा वा सपरिवाहाः पद्मग्राहवतीश्च ॥ कZ_०२.३.०४ ॥
He should have three moats made, separated by intervals of one daṇḍa, with widths of 14, 12, and 10 daṇḍas, and depths greater than their widths; with bases tapering by a quarter, by a half, or by a third, and with square bottoms; reinforced with stone, or with sides lined/bound with stone and brick; filled with water from nearby sources or from supplied inflow, with circulation/outflow, and made hazardous (e.g., with lotus growth and crocodiles).
Sutra 5
चतुर्दण्डापकृष्टं परिखायाः षड्दण्डोच्छ्रितमवरुद्धं तद्द्विगुणविष्कम्भं खाताद्वप्रं कारयेदूर्ध्वचयं मञ्चपृष्ठं कुम्भकुक्षिकं वा हस्तिभिर्गोभिश्च क्षुण्णं कण्टकिगुल्मविषवल्लीप्रतानवन्तम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०५ ॥
At a distance of four daṇḍas from the moat, he should construct an embanked rampart: six daṇḍas high, with breadth twice that, made from excavated earth; shaped as a raised accumulation, or flat-topped for platforms, or bulging/rounded; compacted by elephants and cattle; and covered with thorny shrubs and spreading poisonous creepers.
Sutra 6
पांसुशेषेण वास्तुच्छिद्रं राजभवनं वा पूरयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०६ ॥
With the remaining excavated earth, he should fill any gaps/voids in the building-site—or (low areas around) the royal residence.
Sutra 7
वप्रस्योपरि प्राकारं विष्कम्भद्विगुणोत्सेधमैष्टकं द्वादशहस्तादूर्ध्वमोजं युग्मं वा आ चतुर्विंशतिहस्तादिति कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०७अ ॥
Upon the rampart he should build a brick wall, with height twice its thickness, rising above twelve hastas—preferably in even numbers—up to twenty-four hastas.
Sutra 8
पृथुशिलासंहतं वा शैलं कारयेत् न त्वेव काष्टमयम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.०८ ॥
He should have it built of rock—either of broad stone slabs tightly bonded or of solid stone; but not made of timber.
Sutra 9
अग्निरवहितो हि तस्मिन्वसति ॥ कZ_०२.३.०९ ॥
For fire lies in wait there (i.e., it is a constant, latent danger in such structures).
Sutra 10
विष्कम्भचतुरश्रमट्टालकमुत्सेधसमावक्षेपसोपानं कारयेत्त्रिंशद्दण्डान्तरं च ॥ कZ_०२.३.१० ॥
He should build a square watchtower with the prescribed breadth (viṣkambha), with stairways proportioned to the tower’s height and ascent/descent; and he should keep an interval of thirty daṇḍas between such towers.
Sutra 11
द्वयोरट्टालकयोर्मध्ये सहर्म्यद्वितलामध्यर्धायायामां प्रतोलीं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.११ ॥
Between two watchtowers he should build a gatehouse (pratolī), integrated with an upper structure (with rooms), of two storeys, and of the prescribed intermediate/half-length dimensions.
Sutra 12
अट्टालकप्रतोलीमध्ये त्रिधानुष्काधिष्ठानं सापिधानच्छिद्रफलकसंहतमिन्द्रकोशं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.१२ ॥
Within the tower–gatehouse complex he should construct an ‘indrakośa’ (a protected enclosure/boxwork), with firing stations for three bowmen, formed of closely joined panels fitted with closable apertures.
Sutra 13
अन्तरेषु द्विहस्तविष्कम्भं पार्श्वे चतुर्गुणायामं देवपथं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.१३ ॥
In the interior intervals he should make a devapatha (internal passage) two cubits wide, and along the sides four times as long (in proportion).
Sutra 14
दण्डान्तरा द्विदण्डान्तरा वा चर्याः कारयेत् अग्राह्ये देशे प्रधावनिकां निष्किरद्वारं च ॥ कZ_०२.३.१४ ॥
He should lay out patrol-walks at intervals of one daṇḍa or two daṇḍas; and in terrain difficult to approach or seize he should also make a sprint-way (pradhāvanikā) and a sally-port (niṣkiradvāra).
Sutra 15
बहिर्जानुभञ्जनीशूलप्रकरकूपकूटावपातकण्टकप्रतिसराहिपृष्ठतालपत्त्रशृङ्गाटकश्वदंष्ट्रार्गलोपस्कन्दनपादुकाम्बरीषोदपानकैः प्रतिच्छन्नं छन्नपथं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.१५ ॥
Outside, he should create a concealed covered route, screened by obstacle devices—knee-breaking traps, stakes, barricades, pits, false cave-ins, thorn-beds, counter-trenches, ‘serpent-back’ ridges, palmyra-leaf screens, caltrops, ‘dog-tooth’ spikes, bars, escalade-denial devices, and other such concealed impediments and water-points.
Sutra 16
प्राकारमुभयतो मेण्ढकमध्यर्धदण्डं कृत्वा प्रतोलीषट्तुलान्तरं द्वारं निवेशयेत्पञ्चदण्डादेकोत्तरमाष्टदण्डादिति चतुरश्रं षड्भागमायामादधिकमष्टभागं वा ॥ कZ_०२.३.१६ ॥
He should build the rampart with ‘meṇḍhaka’ projections on both sides, of half a daṇḍa (and a half) at the middle; and he should place a gate at an interval of six tūlas from the gatehouse—its measure being from fifteen daṇḍas plus one up to eight daṇḍas (as specified); and it should be square, with breadth being one-sixth more than the length, or one-eighth (as an alternative proportion).
Sutra 17
पञ्चदशहस्तादेकोत्तरमाष्टादशहस्तादिति तलोत्सेधः ॥ कZ_०२.३.१७ ॥
The plinth/ground-level elevation (talotsedha) is prescribed as: from fifteen cubits up to eighteen cubits plus one (i.e., nineteen cubits), depending on the standard adopted.
Sutra 18
स्तम्भस्य परिक्षेपः षडायामो द्विगुणो निखातः चूलिकायाश्चतुर्भागः ॥ कZ_०२.३.१८ ॥
For a pillar: its girth (circumference) is to be six times its measure (as specified by the design); the portion set into the ground is twice (the relevant measure); and the roof-crest/finial element (cūlikā) is one-fourth (of the relevant measure).
Sutra 19
आदितलस्य पञ्चभागाः शाला वापी सीमागृहं च ॥ कZ_०२.३.१९ ॥
The first/ground level (āditala) is to be divided into five parts, allocating spaces such as a hall (śālā), a water facility (vāpī), and a boundary/guard-house (sīmāgṛha).
Sutra 20
दशभागिकौ द्वौ प्रतिमञ्चौ अन्तरमाणीहर्म्यं च ॥ कZ_०२.३.२० ॥
Two facing platforms/raised stages (pratimañca) are to be made, each of one-tenth proportion; and an intermediate measured space (antaramāṇī) for the mansion/residential block (harmya) is also prescribed.
Sutra 21
समुच्छ्रयादर्धतले स्थूणाबन्धश्च ॥ कZ_०२.३.२१ ॥
At half the height of the structure (relative to its total rise), there should be a binding/tying arrangement of posts (sthūṇābandha) as well.
Sutra 22
अर्धवास्तुकमुत्तमागारम् त्रिभागान्तरं वा इष्टकावबद्धपार्श्वम् वामतः प्रदक्षिणसोपानं गूढभित्तिसोपानमितरतः ॥ कZ_०२.३.२२ ॥
A superior house (uttamāgāra) is of the ‘half-site’ type (ardhavāstuka), or else it maintains a spacing of one-third (tribhāgāntara). Its sides are secured with brickwork; it has a right-turning stair on the left side, and on the other side a concealed stair built within the wall.
Sutra 23
द्विहस्तं तोरणशिरः ॥ कZ_०२.३.२३ ॥
The head/top member of the gateway-arch (toraṇaśiras) is to be two cubits.
Sutra 24
त्रिपञ्चभागिकौ द्वौ कपाटयोगौ ॥ कZ_०२.३.२४ ॥
Two door-fittings/assemblies (kapāṭayoga) are prescribed, each in a three-fifths proportion (tripañcabhāgika).
Sutra 25
द्वौ परिघौ ॥ कZ_०२.३.२५ ॥
There should be two locking-bars/bolts (parigha).
Sutra 26
अरत्निरिन्द्रकीलः ॥ कZ_०२.३.२६ ॥
The indrakīla (ground-peg/locking pin) is to be one aratni (a forearm-length measure).
Sutra 27
पञ्चहस्तमाणिद्वारम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.२७ ॥
The gate (dvāra) should be measured at five hastas (a standardized width/measure for the main entrance).
Sutra 28
चत्वारो हस्तिपरिघाः ॥ कZ_०२.३.२८ ॥
(Provide) four elephant-bars (hastiparigha)—heavy barricade-beams meant to resist elephant assault at the gate.
Sutra 29
निवेशार्धं हस्तिनखम् ॥ कZ_०२.३.२९ ॥
The (gate/entry) installation should include an ‘elephant-nail’ (hastinakha) to the extent of half the installation measure—i.e., a protruding spike/ironwork sized proportionately for anti-elephant defense.
Sutra 30
मुखसमः संक्रमः संहार्यो भूमिमयो वा निरुदके ॥ कZ_०२.३.३० ॥
The approach/passage (saṃkrama) should be aligned with the gate-front (mukha-sama); it should be removable (saṃhārya), or else made of earth (bhūmimaya) where there is no water (nirudaka).
Sutra 31
प्राकारसमं मुखमवस्थाप्य त्रिभागगोधामुखं गोपुरं कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.३१ ॥
Having set the gateway-front level with the rampart (prākāra-sama), one should construct a gatehouse (gopura) whose ‘iguana-faced’ projection (godhāmukha) extends by one-third (tribhāga).
Sutra 32
प्राकारमध्ये वापीं कृत्वा पुष्करिणीद्वारं चतुःशालमध्यर्धान्तरं साणिकं कुमारीपुरं मुण्डहर्म्यद्वितलं मुण्डकद्वारम् भूमिद्रव्यवशेन वा निवेशयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.३२ ॥
Within the rampart, having made a well/reservoir (vāpī), one should arrange: a tank-gate (puṣkariṇī-dvāra); a four-hall complex with intermediate half-spaces; a sāṇika-post/quarter; a ‘kumārīpura’ enclosure; a two-storeyed flat-roofed building (muṇḍa-harmya); and a ‘muṇḍaka’ gate—planning these according to the constraints of terrain and available resources.
Sutra 33
त्रिभागाधिकायामा भाण्डवाहिनीः कुल्याः कारयेत् ॥ कZ_०२.३.३३ ॥
One should construct supply-carrying channels (kulyāḥ) with their length increased by one-third (tribhāga-adhika), suitable for transporting goods/materials (bhāṇḍa-vāhinīḥ).
Sutra 34
मुषुण्ढीमुद्गरा दण्डाश्चक्रयन्त्रशतघ्नयः ॥ कZ_०२.३.३४च्द् ॥
(Also provide) muṣuṇḍhī-clubs, hammers/maces (mudgara), staves (daṇḍa), wheel-machines (cakra-yantra), and śataghnī weapons (heavy multi-spiked/bolt-hurling defensive devices).
Sutra 35
उष्ट्रग्रीव्योऽग्निसम्योगाः कुप्यकल्पे च यो विधिः ॥ कZ_०२.३.३५च्द् ॥
The fire-combinations (heat treatments) known as ‘uṣṭragrīvya’ and the procedure prescribed in the manufacture of ‘kupyakalpa’ (worked metal/industrial goods) [are to be applied accordingly].
A survivable, governable urban core: reduced enemy penetration, controlled movement of people and goods, safer storage and command, and faster recovery after siege or disaster—thereby protecting livelihoods and revenue without constant field warfare.
This chapter does not specify a tariffed punishment. In Kauṭilya’s administrative logic, negligence by responsible officers (e.g., Durgādhyakṣa/Sthānika) would be treated as dereliction endangering the realm—typically punished by fines, dismissal, and in grave cases penalties proportionate to resulting loss during attack or fire.