ARTHASHASTRA AS A POLITICAL TREATISE

Subject: 1.2 History – I (Indian History)

Academic year: 2023-2024
Semester: I

Submitted by
Aditya Soni
UG2023-99

Submitted to
Prof. Abin Babu P, Assistant Professor of Law

MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,

NAGPUR

1
 Table of Contents

SR.NO. PARTICULARS PAGE NO.

1. Introduction 3

2. Research Aim and Objective 4

3. Research Question 4

4. Research Methodology 4

5. Arthashastra as a Political Treatise 6

I. Historical and Political Context 6

II. Core Concept of Arthashastra 7

III. Statecraft and Governance 9

IV. Security and Defence 10

V. Foreign Policy and Diplomacy 12

VI. Law and Judicial System 13

6. Conclusion 15

7. References and Footnotes 16

8. Bibliography 17

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INTRODUCTION-

The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian political treatise, offers deep insights into statecraft,
governance, and political strategy. It serves as a comprehensive guidebook for rulers and
administrators, providing practical advice on establishing and maintaining stable and
prosperous states. It is believed that Arthashastra was composed during the Ancient Indian
History, around 4th Century BCE. The Arthashastra was written with the purpose of acting as
a guide for the Rulers, Administration and Statemen. This offered practical advice to them to
establish and sustain a stable and prosperous state. Chanakya 1 played important role in the
composition of the Arthashastra. He was a renowned Political Strategist, Advisor and
Economist to the Maurya Empire’s first emperor, Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya was also
known as Prime Minister to Chandragupta Maurya. Kautilya also claimed that he only
regenerated the concept of “Arthasashtra”, he borrowed the work fourteen scholars who
worked on the concept of Arthasashtra. He was one step ahead of all the scholars as he used
historical evidences to substantiate his point of view and he also used the historical evidences
to derive the conclusion.

The Arthashastra played significant role by offering the Political Strategy, Governance from
Ancient Indian Perspective. The treatise also served as guidebook for Rulers and
Administrators. Despite being an ancient text, the Arthashastra's principles and strategies
continue to hold relevance and applicability in modern governance and politics. It also
provided valuable insights on foreign relations and managing conflicts between them. It also
provides brief insights on taxations, trade and wealth management, which helps in
understanding the economic practices that were practiced in the Ancient Indian. The
Arthashastra's significance as a political treatise is multifaceted. It serves as a timeless guide
for rulers and administrators, has a profound impact on political thought and historical
understanding, and remains relevant in contemporary discussions on governance.

The main objective of exploring the Arthashastra as a political treatise is to gain insights into
the ancient political thought and governance of India. By dealing with the ancient text, one
can understand the principles and strategies that guided rulers and administrators during the
Maurya dynasty. The Arthashastra covers various aspects of statecraft, including diplomacy,
economics, military strategy, and law, providing a holistic framework for governance.
Additionally, studying the treatise allows us to evaluate its impact on subsequent political
1
Also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta.

3
thought and its relevance in today's discussions on governance and statecraft. Overall,
exploring the Arthashastra offers a valuable opportunity to learn from the wisdom of the past
and derive lessons applicable to modern political practices.

RESEARCH AIM AND OBJECTIVE-

The primary purpose of the ancient Indian text "Arthashastra" as a political treatise was to
offer counsel on matters of statecraft, governance, and economic administration to rulers and
administrators. This influential text, attributed to Chanakya (also known as Kautilya or
Vishnugupta), a distinguished ancient Indian economist, philosopher, and advisor to royalty,
was authored around the 4th century BCE. Its aim was to provide practical guidance for
effective governance and the overall well-being of the state and its people.

RESEARCH QUESTION-

The main question of the research is “How does the Arthashastra, as a political treatise from
ancient India, provide guidance on statecraft, governance, and economic management
through its key principles and insights?”

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY-

This research paper primarily employs the Doctrinal research method, involving the study
and analysis of social papers published by reputable scholars. Additionally, the researcher
utilizes secondary resources such as journals, newspapers, books, and relevant online
websites to support the research.

The research is also based on the online resources available like JSTOR, IPleaders,
ResearchGate, Google Scholar, etc.

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ARTHASHASTRA AS A POLITICAL TREATISE-

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  HISTORICAL AND POLITICAL CONTEXT-

Ancient Indian Society was based on Varna System (Caste System). There were four main
Varnas –

I. Brahmins (Priests and Scholars)

II. Kshatriyas (Warriors and Rulers)
III. Vaishyas (Merchants and Traders)
IV. Shudras (Servants and Labours)

The Arthashastras acknowledges this social order and discusses the role of each Varna in the
Society. Arthashastra promotes a system of centralized governance, wherein the king has
absolute power and authority over the administration. The treatise provides intricate
instructions on how to structure and efficiently manage the state. Arthashastra supports a
centralized form of governance, wherein a powerful and authoritative king exercises
complete control over the administration. This approach is consistent with the prevalent
monarchical system in ancient India. Dharma also played important role in the Ancient
Society. Arthashastra emphasizes that the king's decision-making and governance should be
guided by dharma, emphasizing the importance of ruling justly and fairly. The king was
expected to uphold dharma in his actions and policies.

Let’s discuss the Historical and Political Aspect of Arthashastra with the example of Maurya
Empire and its Governance. The Maurya Empire was one of the most significant and
influential dynasty of the Ancient India. The Empire’s administration was marked by efficient
systems, Centralized rule2, and a highly organized bureaucracy. This all was influenced by the
principles of the Arthashatra. The military strategies and principles of warfare presented in
Arthashastra had a huge impact on the defence mechanisms of the Mauryan Empire. As a
result, the empire possessed a formidable army, effectively safeguarding against external
threats. The enduring influence of Arthashastra on the Mauryan Empire is evident in its
impact on subsequent dynasties and rulers in ancient India. The treatise's principles continued
to shape political thought and governance for centuries, leaving a lasting legacy on the
political landscape of the region.

2
All the powers were in the hand of Chandragupta Maurya.

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At the time when Arthashastra was composed, it coexisted with other contemporary political
thinkers and treatises in ancient India. The ideas and philosophies put forth by these thinkers
had a significant impact on the evolution of Arthashastra's principles. The political thought of
that era was shaped by the exchange of ideas, contributing to the unique and comprehensive
nature of Arthashastra as a political treatise.

CORE CONCEPT OF ARTHASHASTRA-

1. RAJA DHARMA-

In ancient Indian political thinking, "Raja Dharma" mainly referred to the duties of a king
towards his people and how he managed his rule. These duties were centred around ensuring
peace and prosperity for the citizens. It was crucial for the state to remain fair and unbiased.

The ancient Indian state was known for being caring and supportive of its people. The
ultimate goal of the state was to look after the well-being of the people, which was a
significant duty in ancient Indian political thought.

The principles of Raja Dharma from the past are still relevant today. They guide us towards
creating a good, orderly, peaceful, and prosperous society within a political system. Even
though modern politics has changed in many ways, the fundamental ideas of Raja Dharma
remain largely the same3.

2. RAJYA TANTRA-

"Rajya shastra" is a Sanskrit term that translates to "political science" or "science of

statecraft" in English. It refers to the ancient Indian system of political thought and
governance. Rajya shastra encompasses a wide range of principles, guidelines, and strategies
for effective governance, including the establishment and maintenance of states, the role of
rulers,

One of the most well-known texts associated with Rajya shastra is the "Arthashastra,"
attributed to Kautilya (also known as Chanakya), a scholar and advisor to the Mauryan
3
Jitendra Narayan, “Relevance of Raja Dharma of Ancient India”, Available at
https://www.jstor.org/stable/41855794 .

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Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The Arthashastra is an ancient treatise on statecraft,
economics, and politics and is often considered a foundational work in the study of Rajya
shastra.

Rajya shastra, like other classical political philosophies, provides valuable insights into the
principles of governance, ethics, and leadership, and it has influenced political thought and
practice throughout history4.

3. ARTHA-

"Artha," as explained in Vedic philosophy, means finding a balance between material and
spiritual well-being. It's not just about having money or possessions but also about using
resources responsibly. This balance is based on four important pillars:

1. Dhana- This is about having money and things. It's important, but you should earn money
honestly and use it wisely.

2. Kama- It's about enjoying life and fulfilling your wishes. However, it's crucial to do this
within moral and ethical boundaries while considering your responsibilities to society and
your personal growth.

3. Yasha- This is about being known and respected for doing good things. It means making a
positive impact on society, doing virtuous deeds, and being known for being honest and
upright.

4. Moksha- This is the ultimate goal of life, where you find peace and spiritual freedom.
Artha suggests that just having material wealth isn't enough for lasting happiness. To be truly
content, you should also explore spiritual practices to discover inner peace and liberation.

In simple terms, Artha teaches us to balance our pursuit of money and pleasure with doing
good things, finding inner peace, and being responsible in how we use our resources5.

4
Chandrasekaran, Pravin, “Kautilya: Politics, Ethics and Statecraft”, Available at https://mpra.ub.uni-
muenchen.de/9962/1/MPRA_paper_9962.pdf .
5
Mahesh Prabhu, “Artha: The Vedic Concept of Wealth”, Available at
https://www.vedic-management.com/artha-the-vedic-concept-of-wealth/ .

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 4. AMATYA-

"Amatya" is a word from ancient India that means "minister" or "advisor." It's connected to
how rulers and leaders got advice in the past. While there might not be articles about
"Amatya" specifically, you can find articles that talk about advisors and their roles in
different times and places.

Kautilya's Arthashastra discusses the qualities needed for people who will serve as ministerial
officers. These individuals should be skilled, well-trained, and wise. They should come from
respected backgrounds, have good character, and be loyal. They must be free from negative
qualities that can lead to problems. These individuals will play important roles in governing
and advising, but they won't be the top decision-makers (councillors)6.

STATECRAFT AND GOVERNANCE-

The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian book about how to run a country, gives us ideas on how
to start a country and keep it running well.

The book says a strong leader is really important. They need to be in charge and make sure
everything runs smoothly. To keep things organized, there should be a government with
ministers and officials who each have their own jobs. It's crucial to have fair laws and judges
who make sure everyone follows them. This helps keep the peace. To keep a country going,
there should be rules about money, like taxes and trade. This keeps the economy stable. A
strong military is needed for protection. They need to be organized and ready to defend the
country when required. The book also talks about how leaders should talk to leaders of other
countries, make alliances, and avoid conflicts. Taking care of the people is very important.
There should be good infrastructure, healthcare, and support for the citizens. The ruler should
be honest, fair, and compassionate. This helps to keep the trust of the people. Gathering
information is vital. Spies can help find out about potential threats to the country. The book
says that leaders should be ready to change their strategies to deal with new situations and
challenges.

The Arthashastra, an old Indian book about governing a country, tells us how to set up and
run a government. It talks about how the government should be organized.

6
R. Shamasastry, “Kautilya’s Arthashastra”.

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 The most important person in the government is the leader. They make the big decisions and
make sure everything runs smoothly. The next important group is the ministers. They help the
leader make decisions and manage the everyday tasks of the government. They also give
advice to the leader and oversee different government departments. The government is
divided into departments, each with its own job, like handling money, defence, law, and
talking to other countries. Apart from ministers, the leader may have advisors who are experts
in different fields. They provide guidance and share their knowledge. There are government
workers who carry out the policies and run the country. They handle things like taxes, justice,
and public works. The government needs a fair legal system to resolve disputes and ensure
that laws are followed. Judges and courts play a role in this. For protection, a well-organized
military is crucial. It's responsible for the defence and security of the country. Gathering
information is important to know about any potential threats. Spies and intelligence networks
help with this. At the local level, there are officials and administrators who manage cities,
towns, and villages. They oversee local matters and collect taxes. A stable economy is vital.
Officials and departments handle economic matters, like taxes, trade, farming, and wealth
management. The country's relations with other nations are managed by a diplomatic corp.
They make alliances and negotiate agreements. Taking care of the people is important. The
government looks after things like infrastructure, healthcare, and social services. Leaders are
expected to be honest, fair, and compassionate in their governance. This helps build trust and
respect7.

The Arthashastra is like an old instruction manual for running a country. It tells leaders to be
strong, make fair rules, have a good economy, and a strong army. It also says leaders should
take care of the people and be honest. The book teaches how to set up a government that
works well and keeps the country safe and happy.

SECURITY AND WARFARE-

The Arthashastra, an old Indian book about running a country, tells us how to organize and
plan for a military.

The military is like a structured ladder with different levels, including foot soldiers, cavalry,
charioteers, and elephant riders. There are experienced leaders who guide different parts of
the military. They decide how battles should happen. Soldiers are trained really well. They
7
supra

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have special training for different jobs in the military, and they learn how to fight, be
disciplined, and stay in good shape. The military has people who gather information about
possible threats and enemies. The book talks about the importance of having a good system
for providing food, transportation, and medical care to the military.

Military Strategy-

The book says that wars should be fought fairly and only when there's no other choice 8. It
explains how to plan and carry out attacks on the enemy and how to protect your own
territory. Using tricks and surprises in battles is encouraged. This includes having spies,
spreading false information, and making unexpected moves. The book highlights the
importance of talking to other countries and making friends before going to war. It talks about
building and managing fortifications like walls and forts for protection. The book mentions
the use of elephants in battles and how to use them effectively. It suggests adapting your
military strategy to the strengths and weaknesses of your state and the enemy. Spies and
intelligence networks help gather information about the enemy's plans and abilities. In some
situations, it suggests destroying resources to stop the enemy from using them. The book
discusses how to capture enemy fortresses and block them off.

The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian book about running a country, gives us tips on how to
protect our land and how to go on the attack in wars. Here's a simple version of these tips:

a. Defensive Tips-

Make forts and walls to protect your cities and land from enemies. If you're outnumbered, it's
okay to retreat to a safer place and get ready to fight back later. Learn how to handle long
sieges from enemies, including storing enough food. Sometimes, it's a good idea to destroy
your own resources to stop the enemy from using them. Talk to other countries and get their
support to defend against threats.

b. Offensive Technique-
8
ibid

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Use spies and false information to confuse your enemy about your plans. Catch the enemy off
guard with sudden attacks to disrupt their plans. Be smart and find the enemy's weaknesses to
win even if they seem stronger. Gather information about the enemy's plans and weaknesses
with spies. Use tricks to make the enemy lose hope and feel scared. Get other countries to
help you in your attacks by talking to them and making deals. Hurt the enemy by going after
their money and important places. Surround the enemy's fortresses and cities to make them
give up. You have to be” flexible and change your tactics if the situation on the battlefield
changes9.

FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMACY-

This text talks about how foreign affairs and diplomacy were dealt with in ancient India,
focusing on a book called Arthashastra by Kautilya.

Even though there's no direct mention of a foreign affairs department in very old texts, other
texts like Aitareya Brahman suggest that people in ancient India were dealing with foreign
relations. They used words like "doot" (like today's ambassadors) to describe emissaries.
Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra, which is a bit like Machiavelli's "The Prince." It's all about
practical strategies in politics, emphasizing the idea of becoming a conqueror. The
Arthashastra suggests that gaining wealth and power is more important than religious or
moral concerns for a country. The text lists six aspects of diplomacy that are still important
today. It highlights how diplomacy is crucial in international relations. Kautilya believed that
making peace was better than going to war. Different forms of peace agreements, like
temporary alliances with stronger states, were also discussed. The text talks about a policy
called "Asana," which means staying neutral. It works best for strong nations and is similar to
India's past policy of not taking sides during conflicts. "Yaanam" is about preparing for war
when a country's leaders, resources, and alliances are strong. It's like when India prepared for
the 1971 war with Pakistan."Samshraya" means seeking support from stronger allies to
increase a country's strength. For instance, India sought support from the Soviet Union before
the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Kautilya preferred solving issues through diplomacy rather than war,
and he thought war should be a last resort. "Dvaidhibhaava" is for moderately strong nations
and involves using both peace and war strategies with different countries. It's similar to
modern diplomacy where countries try to improve relations while strengthening their

9
Vinay Vittal, “A Timeless Grand Strategy”. Available at https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1019423.pdf .

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defences. The Arthashastra offers four approaches to solve conflicts: conciliation, placation
with gifts, creating division, and using punishment. These align with realist theories in
international relations. The text mentions different types of warfare with various goals, like
righteous conquest and acquisitive conquest. These concepts are still relevant in today's
diplomacy10.

This text talks about how an ancient Indian thinker named Kautilya, also known as Chanakya,
and his ideas from the Arthashastra, an old book about politics and diplomacy, are still
important for India's foreign policy today. Kautilya believed that neighbouring countries can
be both friends and enemies, and India is using these ideas to manage its relationships with
nearby nations like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. It's like having a strategy to deal with the
people living next door. These ideas help India in its foreign policy and dealing with powerful
countries like China11.

LAW AND JUSTICE SYSTEM-

Kautilya, an ancient Indian thinker, believed that it was the government's important job to
maintain order in society. He thought of "order" as making sure that people get along well
and that crimes are prevented and punished. His teachings included rules for how people
should behave with each other and how the legal system should work. He emphasized a
concept called "dharma," which was about doing what's right, being honorable, and fulfilling
your duties to society and your country. The judges of his time were known as "dharmashtas,"
and they were responsible for upholding this concept of dharma.

Kautilya talked a lot about the responsibilities of the king in keeping law and order in society.
He believed that when citizens and the king follow their duties and uphold social harmony,
society remains stable and peaceful. He saw the king as the guardian of proper conduct and
said that the king could make and enforce laws when traditional codes of behavior were not
being followed.

Kautilya believed that dharma was the guiding principle for everyone, including the king. He
said that if the king's actions went against dharma, citizens had the right to question him.
Following dharma would lead to a dignified life and social harmony. Kautilya also believed
10
Radhika R.V, “Kautilyan Foreign Policy”. Available at https://www.indrastra.com/2015/05/Kautilyan-
Foreign-Policy-by-Radhika-RV.html .
11
Dr. Subas Chandra Sethy & Choudhury Pradosh Ranjan, “Foreign Policy in Kautilya’s Arthashastra”.
Available at https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2205978.pdf .

13
in rational laws, which were more important than dharma, customs, and traditions. He said
that the king's laws should be based on the teachings of the Vedas, which defined the roles of
different social groups and stages of life. The interpretation of dharma was not only up to the
king; every individual could interpret it. This helped keep the Vedic state separate from
religion. The citizens didn't have the power to make laws; that power belonged to the state.
Laws came from different sources, including dharma, evidence, customs, and the king's
decrees. When these sources conflicted, dharma was the most important. Kautilya's book,
Arthashastra, laid out a system of laws for civil, criminal, and business matters. It covered
procedures for questioning, trials, the rights of people accused of crimes, what evidence could
be used in court, how to deal with defamation, and what made contracts valid or invalid.

In this society, laws were not just about saying what people couldn't do or punishing them;
they also helped shape how people behaved, the rules for institutions, and what traditions and
customs were accepted. Laws were connected to religion, morality, and what people thought
was right or wrong. The king and his officials played a big role in creating a just and orderly
society, and they aimed to make their subjects happy and content, following the idea that "the
King's happiness lies in the happiness of his subjects12."

IMPACT OF ARTHASHASTRA ON CONTEMPORARY POLITICS-

This passage talks about how many people wrongly believe that Indian philosophy only deals
with spiritual matters and doesn't focus on politics and society. This misunderstanding has led
to the neglect of an important Indian thinker named Kautilya, who wrote a book called the
"Arthashastra" about how to run a state and govern people around 2,000 years ago.

The passage mentions a book that aims to clear up this misunderstanding and show why
Kautilya's ideas are still important today. It explains the main ideas and methods Kautilya
used in his book, such as how to manage a state and handle foreign relations. It also compares
Kautilya's ideas to those of Western philosophers. Then it focuses on what Kautilya believed
an ideal state should be and how his ideas influenced how India was governed after it gained
independence from British rule, especially by examining the work of Jawaharlal Nehru. It
also explores how Kautilya's ideas affected modern Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and
Vallabhbhai Patel and how India's current policies combine old and new ideas. It puts down

12
Akshay Ranade, “Arthashastra; An Insight in Kautilyan Views on Law and Justice”, Available at
https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/12/arthashastra-an-insight-in-kautilyan-views-on-law-and-justice/ .

14
the philosophy of how democracy can work in India even though there are many challenges
like caste differences, poverty, and different religions. It suggests that Kautilya's ideas about
keeping things in order and getting people to agree play a role. It also talks about why more
and more people around the world are interested in Kautilya's writings, which focus on
practical politics rather than just following rules.

CONCLUSION-

In summary, this text emphasizes that an old Indian book called the "Arthashastra" is still
useful for today's politics and government. People used to think that Indian philosophy was
all about spirituality and had nothing to do with politics, but that's not true. The Arthashastra
provides a guide on how to run a country well and keep it prosperous.

The Arthashastra talks about important ideas like what a king should do, how the government
should work, and how laws and justice should be handled. These ideas are not outdated; they
are still important in modern politics.

The book also gives tips on how to keep a country safe, how to plan for wars, and how to
make friends with other countries. It also talks about how to deal with issues inside the
country and how to take care of the people.

In a nutshell, the Arthashastra provides valuable lessons for today's politics and government
by showing how ancient ideas can still be useful in our modern world. It reminds us that we
can learn from the past to deal with today's political challenges and opportunities.

REFERENCES AND FOOTNOTES-

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 1. BOOKS-
I. R. Shamasastry, “Kautilya’s Arthashastra”.

2. ONLINE ARTICLES AND JOURNALS-

I. Jitendra Narayan, “Relevance of Raja Dharma of Ancient India”, Available at

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41855794 .

II. Chandrasekaran, Pravin, “Kautilya: Politics, Ethics and Statecraft”, Available at

https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/9962/1/MPRA_paper_9962.pdf .

III. Mahesh Prabhu, “Artha: The Vedic Concept of Wealth”, Available at

https://www.vedic-management.com/artha-the-vedic-concept-of-wealth/

IV. Vinay Vittal, “A Timeless Grand Strategy”. Available at

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/AD1019423.pdf .

V. Radhika R.V, “Kautilyan Foreign Policy”. Available at

https://www.indrastra.com/2015/05/Kautilyan-Foreign-Policy-by-Radhika-
RV.html .

VI. Dr. Subas Chandra Sethy & Choudhury Pradosh Ranjan, “Foreign Policy in
Kautilya’s Arthashastra”. Available at https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2205978.pdf .

VII. Akshay Ranade, “Arthashastra; An Insight in Kautilyan Views on Law and

Justice”, Available at https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/12/arthashastra-an-
insight-in-kautilyan-views-on-law-and-justice/ .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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  BOOKS-
I. Roger Boesche, “The First Great Political Realist”.

 ONLINE ONLY ARTICLES-

I. Ashok S. Chousalkar, “Methodology of Kautilya’s Arthashastra”, available on

JSTOR.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/6dda496b-0f5d-36c7-9da6-6c5739caeecc?read-
now=1&seq=4

II. Ashok Chousalkar, “Political Philosophy of Arthashastra Tradition”, available on

JSTOR.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/41855076

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