Publisher	Prints Publications Pvt Ltd
ISBN-13	9788197819452
Binding	Paper back
Number of Pages	520 Pages
Language	English
Dimension (Inches)	5.5''*8.5''
Weight (Grams)	558
Category	Fiction

Arthashastra by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economics, military strategy, and governance. Written around the 4th century BCE, it provides practical and philosophical guidance on administration, diplomacy, and law. The text emphasizes the ruler's role in ensuring prosperity and security while offering insights into espionage, taxation, and commerce. A foundational work in political science, Arthashastra reflects Kautilya's sharp intellect and remains relevant for understanding leadership and governance.

Kautilya

Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and statesman, born around 350 BCE. He is best known for his work Arthashastra, a comprehensive treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Serving as an advisor to the Maurya Emperor Chandragupta, Kautilya's writings emphasized political realism and the importance of effective governance. Arthashastra remains a significant text, offering insights into ancient Indian politics, law, and ethics, influencing rulers and scholars throughout history.

Contents

Book I: Concerning Discipline	11
The Life of a King & The End of Sciences	12
The End of Sciences	13
The End of Sciences	15
Association with the Aged	16
Restraint of the Organs of Sense	18
Restraint of the Organs of Sense	19
Creation of Ministers	20
The Creation of Councillors and Priests	22
Ascertaining by Temptations Purity or Impurity in the Character of Ministers	24
The Institution of Spies	26
Institution of Spies	29
Protection of Parties for or against One's Own Cause in One's Own State	32
Winning Over Factions for or against an Enemy's Cause in an Enemy's State	34
The Business of Council Meeting	36
The Mission of Envoys	40
Protection of Princes	43
The Conduct of a Prince Kept under Restraint and the Treatment of a Restrained Prince	46
The Duties of a King	48
Duty towards the Harem	50
Personal Safety	53
Book II: The Duties of Government Superintendents	57
Formation of Villages	58
Division of Land	61
Construction of Forts	63
Buildings within the Fort	67
The Duties of the Chamberlain	70
The Business of Collection of Revenue by the Collector-General	72
The Business of Keeping up Accounts in the Office of Accountants	75
Detection of What Is Embezzled by Government Servants out of State Revenue	79
Examination of the Conduct of Government Servants	83
The Procedure of Farming Royal Writs	86
Examination of Gems That Are to Be Entered into the Treasury	90
Conducting Mining Operations and Manufacture	97
Superintendent of Gold in the Goldsmith's Office	102
The Duties of the State Goldsmith in the High Road	107
The Superintendent of Storehouse	112
The Superintendent of Commerce	117
The Superintendent of Forest Produce	120
The Superintendent of the Armoury	122
The Superintendent of Weights and Measures	124
Measurement of Space and Time	128
The Superintendent of Tolls	132
Regulation of Toll-Dues	135
Superintendent of Weaving	136
The Superintendent of Agriculture	138
The Superintendent of liquor	142
The Superintendent of Slaughter-House	146
The Superintendent of Prostitutes	148
The Superintendent of Ships	151
The Superintendent of Cows	154
The Superintendent of Horses	159
The Superintendent of Elephants	164
Training of Elephants	166
The Superintendent of Chariots; The Superintendent of Infantry and the Duty of the Commander-in-Chief	169
The Superintendent of Passports	171
The Duty of Revenue-Collectors; Spies in the Guise of Householders, Merchants and Ascetics	172
The Duty of a City Superintendent	175
Book III : Concerning Law	181
Determination of Forms of Agreement; Determination of Legal Disputes	182
Concerning Marriage. The Duty of Marriage, The Property of a Woman, and Compensations for Remarriage	187
The Duty of a Wife; Maintenance of a Woman; Cruelty to Women; Enmity between Husband and Wife; a Wife's Transgression; Her Kindness to Another; and Forbidden Transactions	191
Vagrancy, Elopement and Short and Long Sojournments	194
Division of Inheritance	198
Special Shares in Inheritance	200
Distinction between Sons	202
Buildings	205
Sale of Buildings, Boundary Disputes, Determination of Boundaries, and Miscellaneous Hindrances	207
Destruction of Pasture-Lands, Fields and Roads, and Non-Performance of Agreements	211
Recovery of Debts	215
Concerning Deposits	219
Rules regarding Slaves and Labourers	223
Rules regarding Labourers; and Co-Operative Undertaking	226
Rescission of Purchase and Sale	229
Resumption of Gifts, Sale without Ownership, and Ownership	231
Robbery	234
Defamation	235
Assault	237
Gambling and Betting and Miscellaneous Offences	241
Book IV : The Removal of Thorns	245
Protection of Artisans	246
Protection of Merchants	251
Remedies against National Calamities	254
Suppression of the Wicked Living by Foul Means	257
Detection of Youths of Criminal Tendency by Ascetic Spies	260
Seizure of Criminals on Suspicion or in the Very Act	262
Examination of Sudden Death	266
Trial and Torture to Elicit Confession	269
Protection of All Kinds of Government Departments	272
Fines in Lieu of Mutilation of Limbs	276
Death with or without Torture	278
Sexual Intercourse with Immature Girls	281
Punishment for Violating Justice	284
Book V : The Conduct of Courtiers	289
Concerning the Awards of Punishments	291
Replenishment of the Treasury	295
Concerning Subsistence to Government Servants	301
The Conduct of a Courtier	304
Time-Serving	306
Consolidation of the Kingdom and Absolute Sovereignty	308
Book VI : The Source of Sovereign States	313
The Elements of Sovereignty	314
Concerning Peace and Exertion	317
Book VII : The End of the Six-Fold Policy	321
The Six-Fold Policy, and Determination of Deterioration, Stagnation and Progress	322
The Nature of Alliance	325
The Character of Equal, Inferior and Superior Kings; and Forms of Agreement made by an Inferior King	327
Neutrality after Proclaiming War or after Concluding a Treaty of Peace; Marching after Proclaiming War or after Making Peace; and the March of Combined Powers	331
Consideration about Marching against an Assailable Enemy and a Strong Enemy; Causes Leading to the Dwindling, Greed, and Disloyalty of the Army; and Considerations about the Combination of Powers	334
The March of Combined Powers; Agreement of Peace with or without Definite Terms; and Peace with Renegades	339
Peace and War by Adopting the Double Policy	344
The Attitude of an Assailable Enemy; and Friends that Deserve Help	348
Agreement for the Acquisition of a Friend or Gold	351
Agreement of Peace for the Acquisition of Land	355
Interminable Agreement	358
Agreement for Undertaking a Work	361
Considerations about an Enemy in the Rear	364
Recruitment of Lost Power	368
Measures Conducive to Peace with a Strong and Provoked Enemy; and the Attitude of a Conquered Enemy	371
The Attitude of a Conquered King	374
Making Peace and Breaking It	377
The Conduct of a Madhyama King, a Neutral King, and of a Circle of States	381
Book VIII : Concerning Vices and Calamities	387
The Aggregate of the Calamities of the Elements of Sovereignty	388
Considerations about the Troubles of the King and of His Kingdom	392
The Aggregate of the Troubles of Men	394
The Group of Molestations, the Group of Obstructions, and the Group of Financial Troubles	398
The Group of Troubles of the Army, and the Group of Troubles of a Friend	402
Book IX : The Work of an Invader	407
The Knowledge of Power, Plage, Time, Strength, and Weakness; the Time of Invasion	408
The Time of Recruiting the Army; the Form of Equipment; and Work of the Arraying a Rival Force	412
Consideration of Annoyance in the Rear; and Remedies Against Internal and External Troubles	416
Consideration about Loss of Men, Wealth, and Profit	419
External and Internal Dangers	422
Persons Associated with Traitors and Enemies	424
Doubts about Wealth and Harm; and Success to be Obtained by the Employment of Alternative Strategic Means	429
Book X: Relating to War	435
Encampment	436
March of the Camp; and Protection of the Army in Times of Distress and Attack	437
Forms of Treacherous Fights; Encouragement to One’s Own Army and Fight Between One’s Own and Enemy’s Armies	440
Battlefields and the Work of Infantry, Cavalry,Chariots and Elephants	444
The Distinctive Array of Troops in Respect of Wings, Flanks and Front; Distinction Between Strong and Weak Troops; and Battle with Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants	446
The Array of the Army like a Staff, a Snake, a Circle, or in Detached Order; the Array of the Army Against that of an Enemy	450
Book XI : The Conduct of Corporations	455
Causes of Dissension; and Secret Punishment	456
Book XII : Concerning a Powerful Enemy	461
The Duties of a Messenger	462
Battle of Intrigue	464
Slaying the Commander-in-Chief and Inciting a Circle of States	467
Spies with Weapons, Fire and Poison; and Destruction of Supply, Stores and Granaries	469
Capture of the Enemy by Means of Secret Contrivances or by Means of the Army; and Complete Victory	471
Book XIII : Strategic Means to Capture a Fortress	475
Sowing the Seeds of Dissension	476
Enticement of Kings by Secret Contrivances	478
The Work of Spies in a Siege	482
The Operation of a Siege	486
Restoration of Peace in a Conquered Country	491
Book XIV : Secret Means	495
Means to Injure an Enemy	496
Wonderful and Delusive Contrivances	501
The Application of Medicines and Mantras	506
Remedies Against the Injuries of One’s Own Army	513
Book XV: The Plan of a Treatise	515
Paragraphical Divisions of this Treatise	516

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