Kautilya: The Arthashastra
Kautilya, also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta, wrote the Arthashastra in the second century AD though the date has not been conclusively established. A master strategist who was well-versed in the Vedas and adept at creating intrigues and devising political stratagems, Kautilya was the man who destroyed the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya as the king of Magadha.
The Arthashastra contains fifteen books which cover numerous topics that are of relevance even today: revolts and rebellions, structure of the state, consumer protection, salaries of government servants, property laws, labour laws, criminal investigations, the penal system, prevention of confederacies and oligarchies, the duties of the king, and a complete code of law, among others.
Artha, literally wealth, is one of four supreme aims prescribed by Hindu tradition. However, as the Arthashastra reveals, it has a much wider significance, and the material well-being of individuals is just a part of it. A remarkably comprehensive treatise of statecraft, the Arthashastra is testimony to Kautilya's genius and foresight.
| ISBN/SKU | 9780140446036 |
| Imprint | Penguin Classics |
| Language | English |
| Format | Paperback |
| Pages | 819 |
| Year of Pub. | 2000 |
