Akshauhini

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An akshauhini (Sanskrit: ), is described in the Mahabharata as a battle formation consisting

of 21,870 chariots (Sanskrit ratha); 21,870 elephants; 65,610 horses and 109,350 infantry as per
the Mahabharata (Adi Parva 2.15-23).[1][2] The ratio is 1 chariot : 1 elephant : 3 cavalry : 5 infantry
soldiers. In each of these large number groups (65,610, etc.), the digits add up to 18.
It is said that the size of Pandavas army in the Kurukshetra war was 7 akshauhinis, and those of
Kauravas 11 akshauhinis.
The count is arrived as follows:
One elephant (Gaja), one chariot (Ratha), three horses (Ashwa) and five foot soldiers (Padhata)
form a Patti;
Three Pattis form a Sena-Mukha;
Three Sena-Mukhas make a Gulma;
Three Gulmas a Gana;
Three Ganas a Vahini;
Three Vahinis a Pruthana;
Three Pruthanas a Chamu;
Three Chamus a Anikini;
Ten Anikinis form an Akshauhini. Thus an Akshauhini, by calculation, contains 21,870 elephants,
21,870 chariots, 65,610 Horses, and 109,350 foot soldiers.
Kuru Army of 11 Akshauhinis is formed by the kingdom of Hastinapura in alliance with races like the
Samsaptakas, Trigartas, the Narayana army, the Sindhu army and Shalya of Madra.
Commanders in Chief: Bhishma (10 days), Drona (5 days), Karna (2 days), Shalya (1
day), Ashwatthama (after Duryodhana loses the mace match with Bhima)
Kaurava Army and Duryodhana's side:

Bhagadatta the veteran - 1 Akshauhini

Shalya, king of Madra - 1 Akshauhini

Nila of Mahishmati - 1 Akshauhini (from south)

Kritavarma (Krishna's Narayani sena of Yadavas) - 1 Akshauhini

Jayadratha (Saindhava) - 1 Akshauhini

Sudakshina, king of Kambhoja - 1 Akshauhini (has Yavanas & Sakas in his troops)

Vinda and Anuvinda (from Avanti) - 1 Akshauhini

 Kalinga Forces - 1 Akshauhini

Shakuni of Gandhara - 1 Akshauhini

Susharma of Trigata - 1 Akshauhini

Kurus and other Allies - 1 Akshauhini

Pandava Army: is a coalition of 7 Akshauhinis, primarily the Panchala and Matsya forces, the
Rakshasa forces of Bhima's son, and Vrishni-Yadava heroes.

Army of Pandavas

Pandava Army and their Allies:

Satyaki of the Vrishni clan - 1 Akshauhini

Kuntibhoja - 1 Akshauhini

Dhrishtaketu, king of Chedis - 1 Akshauhini

Sahadeva, son of Jarasandha - 1 Akshauhini (from Magadha)

Drupada with his sons - 1 Akshauhini

Virata the king of Matsya - 1 Akshauhini

Pandya, Chola and other allies - 1 Akshauhini

The 4 types of units that make up an Akshauhini can also be seen in Chaturanga, the predecessor
of chess.