KAUTILYA’S STATE THEORY

Kautilya or chanakya was one of the greatest political philosopher of 370 – 283 BC. He was also called
‘vishnugupta’. He had a great importance in characterizing the socio-political, and economic structure of
ancient India. Moreover, he was an economist, political philosopher, jurist, royal adviser. He was an
author of the book ‘Arthashastra’ and “chanakyaneeti”. He was the pioneer of the field politics and
economy. He played a significant role in destruction of ‘Nanda dynasty’ by developing Chandra gupta
maurya as a ruler. Kautilya has a great contribution in making Chandragupta. He was a professor of
Takshashila(taxila) university. Chanakya was known ‘Machiavelli of india’. Kautilya was the royal advisor
of Chandragupta maurya and Bindusara.

POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Kautilya deals with the state craft (shasan kala). In which he described the way of skillfully managing
state affairs. One of the most significant work was the ‘Danda-neti’. He also provided the quasi contract
theory. According to him the major duty of the king is ‘Raksha’ and ‘Palan’.

In his famous book ‘Arthashastra’ chanakya had described about the components for a ‘State’ or ‘Rajya’.
While describing the elements he advocated seven essential elements or limbs to organize a state –
these seven elements are jointly known as chanakya’s ‘saptang theory’. Where ‘sapta’ means ‘seven’
and ‘anga’ means ‘organ’. Kautilya says if any of the seven organ is missing then the state will become
handicapped.
The seven elements of state, as per saptanga theory are – king(ruler), amatya (senior minister), durga
(fort), janapada (village and lands), Bala/army(force), kosha(treasury), Mitra (ally, friend).
King: kautilya assign the ‘swami’ or the king in the highest place of the body polity. According to
Arthashastra the king should be chief executive head and commander in chief in army. The king of the
state must have the knowledge of vedas, the arthashastras, dandaniti and science of war etc. the king
must treat the citizen as his child and do good for there welfare and he must be brave and must have
quickness of decision and willingness to conquer the whole world. The king has to regard himself as the
agent of the people and the foremost duty of the king is to protect the life of the people.

Amatya: the senior most minister of the council of minister is called as Amartya. Actually he is the most
intimate advisor of the king. They are meant for assisting the monarch. In day to day affairs of the state.
Amatya gives suggestions to king, collect taxes, develops the new village and cities, ensure defense of
the state and all other tasks as assigned by the king. According to chankya the amatya must be kept
under the surveillance of spies.

Durga: it refers to fort. The state should have sufficient number of forts across its territory at strategic
location for ensuring defense against foreign invasions. Forts should be built near hills, mountains,
deserts, dense forests and big water bodies in order to safeguard the king as a hideout for the king when
his life is in danger. It also used to store food grains for emergency. Actually durga/fort is the defensive
mechanism of a state.

Janapada (village, land, population): It refers to the territory and people of the state. The territory of the
state should be fertile and should have abundance of forest, rivers, mountains, minerals, wildlife etc.
The climate should be decent. The people should be loyal to the king, hardworking, disciplined, religious,
ready to fight for their motherland, should pay taxes regularly and happily.

The army: it refers to military. The state should have a large, disciplined, and trained military. It is crucial
for the security of the state. The soldiers should be recruited from those families which are traditionally
associated with military. The soldiers should be paid well their families should be taken care of in
suitable way. The soldiers must get proper training and equipment. They should be well fed to win the
battle. The king should motivate the soldiers, in such a way that soldiers will be ready to sacrifice their
life for the welfare of the state.

Kosha (The treasury): kosha means the treasury of the state. According to this theory kosha must have
some reserve for emergency. Finance is life of the state because a state can’t run without money.
Money is need to pay salaries, building infrastructure etc. The treasury should be full of money and
valuable metals and gems. It can be increased by war.

Mitra: It refers to the king’s friend. The monarch should maintain friendly relationship with traditional
friends of his forefathers. He should also make new friendship. Making mitra is very important because
they will help and be helped at the time of emergency. Kings duty is to be loyal and helpful towards
friends and this will also help in growing foreign trade.

Therefore ‘The Arthashastra’ is a handbook of practical politics and state craft