Machiavellis book focusses to please a king with a few kind words and offers only a handful of practical advises most of which from todays perspective are barely beyond the ordinary. It turns out to be a set pf erudite articles on it. Long answer short, arthashasthra teaches the way for successful economic and political wellbeing for a state. But stratagems devised by wise men can kill even babes in the womb. Mar 31, 2016 the arthashastra of kautilya is one of the most impressive books that i have read in the recent years. Buy kautilyas arthashastra book online at low prices in. Light to all kinds of knowledge, easy means to accomplish all kinds of acts and receptacle of all kinds of virtues, is the science of anvikshaki ever held to be. The acquisition of the help of corporations is better than the acquisition of an army, a friend, or profits.
This arthasastra is made as a compendium of almost all thearthasastras, which, in view of acquisition and maintenance of theearth, have been composed by ancient teachers. Historically, the kautilya s work carries a great significance because it is an important source for the history of mauryas. Published by shama shastri in 1909 contains 15 parts, 180 divisions, 150 chapters and 6,000 shlokas 2. The text contains fifteen books which cover numerous topics viz. Kautilyas arthashastra book i, \concerning discipline\ chapter i. The main focus of the book is on creation and management of wealth. By means of conciliation and gifts, the conqueror should secure and enjoy the services of such corporations as are invin. Kautilyas arthashastra is an important source of knowledge on polity, economy and administration. However, this important document had been forgotten for centuries. Kautilyas arthasastra on war and diplomacy in ancient india. How kautilyas arthashastra shaped the telling of ancient. By artha, kautilya meant the means of subsistence of humanity, which is, primarily, wealth and, secondarily, earth. While it is true that is offers views on how a kingruler shall act in order to overcome obstables it is just so much more.
Kautilyas arthashastra by kautilya, paperback barnes. Features of kautilyas arthashastra by swapnil patil kautilyas philosophy is based on the principles of sam, dam, dand, bhed persuasion, temptation, punishment, and division as various, different, and sequential means to achieve an end. Was the man who destroyed the nanda dynasty and installed chandragupta maurya as the king of magadha. Reviewed in the united kingdom on 12 december 2012. Kautilya s arthashastra book xii, \concerning a powerful enemy\chapter i. Book ii,the duties of government superintendents chapter i. Buy arthashastra book online at low prices in india. The arthashastra summary a treatise on statecraft and. The arthashastra summary the western world generally assumes that ancient indian literature lacked in strategic thinking. The arthashastra is the title of a handbook for running an empire, written by kautilya also known as chanakya, c. Kautilyas arthashastra is an ancient indian book on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Kautilyas arthashastra is an excellent treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy.
Kautilyas arthashastra 3 book i, concerning discipline chapter i. Book vii, the end of the sixfold policy book viii, concerning vices and calamities book ix, the work. The text was considered lost by colonial era scholars, until a manuscript was discovered in 1905. Please read our short guide how to send a book to kindle. Which is the best english translation of kautilyas arthashastra. The 15 books contained in the arthashastra can be classified in the following manner.
The arthashastra was discovered in 1905 by librarian rudrapatna shamasastry in an uncatalogued group of ancient palmleaf manuscripts donated by an unknown pandit to the oriental research institute mysore. Kautilya s arthashastra maintains that the state or government of a country has a vital role to play in maintaining the material status of both the nation and its people. Kautilyas arthashastra, chanakyas arthashastra, arthashastra, arthasastra, kautilyas arthasastra, chanakyas arthasastra. Kautilyas arthasastra, composed around 321 bce, is the oldest and most exhaustive treatise on statecraft and on issues of diplomacy, war, peace, intelligence, security, and political economy. Arthashastrabook xi wikisource, the free online library. Arthashastrabook ii wikisource, the free online library. This book reveals a very interesting cultural look into early india, and is a great framework for examining the underpinnings of a society quite different by today s norms. The fame of arthashastra and shamashastry was so widespread that krishnaraja wodeyar iv, the then maharaja of mysore, had a strange encounter in germany.
Thanks to syamasastri, who first interpreted kautilyas economic and political thoughts in a book published in english in 1909, we had insights into the writings of that brilliant. The word no suggestions originates from a primeval indian dissertation that discussed how the economy and military affairs of a state should function. Book 9 throws light on the preparations for the war and includes. How kautilyas arthashastra shaped the telling of ancient indian history. Wish it could be exchanged fora goos translation of the original text. The arthashastra and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Dec 17, 20 kautilyas arthashastra book i, concerning discipline chapter i. Nazmul ahsan kalimullah professor, department of public administration university of dhaka submitted by. The flipping effect looks more vivid the bottom of each page of book app shows the reading percentage, chapter name and current time. I would like to make my opinion about kautilya s arthashatra after reading the original test.
Arthashastrabook ix wikisource, the free online library. Kautilyas arthashastra translated into english by r. Kautilyas arthashastra and its relevance to contemporary. Kautilya s arthashastra is an excellent treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy.
Arthashastra should be read simply for its sheer brilliance in the area of statecraft. Book ix, the work of an invader book x, relating to war book xi, the conduct of corporations. Ruchi tyagi associate professor department of political science kalindi college kautilyas arthashastra written around 325 b. As such, he is considered the pioneer of the field of political science and economics in india, and his work is thought of as an important precursor. However, if we carefully examine some of the literature after the second urbanisation emergence of the janapads of the subcontinent we find a lot of material which tells us that ancient indian writers were not devoid of the capability of writing treatises on.
Its a collection of kautilyas views on how to run a state. Chanakya, also known as kautilya or vishnugupta, was an adviser and a prime minister to the first maurya emperor chandragupta, and architect of. It was originally written in sanskrit by kautilya, also called chanakya, for his disciple chandragupta maurya, who was the founder of the mauryan empire. The arthashastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military trategy authored by chanakya 350283 bce. Dec 28, 2009 kautilya s arthashastra is a book about economics written by kautilya. Arthashastrabook x wikisource, the free online library. Dance your finger on the touch screen to flip over the book app from left to right or oppositely. Assisted by his prime minister mantri and his high priest, the king shall, by offering temptations, examine the character of ministers amatya appointed in government departments of ordinary nature. Kautilyas political vision had a heavy influence on chandragupta, the first indian ruler who unified northern india under a single political unit for the first time in history. Zahka and surendra pal school of management, widener university chester, pa 190 usa abstract this paper demonstrates that kautilya, a great indian philosopherstatesman and contemporary of aristole, and whose work was lost for more than 1400 years. He regarded economic activity as the driving force behind the functioning of any political dispensation.
On the other hand kautilyas arthashastra overwhelms the reader with tons of details, minutious instructions on each and every little detail of a state. Buy kautilyas arthashastra book online at best prices in india on. When literally translated, it means scripture of wealth. The title arthashastra is often translated to the science of politics, but th e book arthashast ra has a broader scope. Arthashastra is an excellent treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy. The arthashastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written in sanskrit. The text contains fifteen books which cover numerous topics viz the king. Jan 01, 2003 42 put another way, kautilyas book is the greatest weapon a king can have, and political science is more important thanor at least brings aboutwealth, armies, and conquests.
When a king of poor resources is attacked by a powerfulenemy, he should surrender himself together with his sons to theenemy and live like a reed in the midst of a current of water. If theres a copy of the arthashastra out there plain version, no notes or helpful interpretation please let me know. This book is composed almost entirely of all notes from the editorinterpreter and at times its impossible to work out which bits are from kautilya and which bits are just interpretation. Book ii,the duties of government superintendents book iii. The dissertation was written in sanskrit by chanakya, the teacher to the founder of the mauryan empire. Shamasastry, 1915 book i, concerning discipline book ii,the duties of government superintendents. Kautilya and his arthashastra by roger boesche fgv ranks among worlds top thirty think tanks turkey joins the struggle for africa. The king, says bharadvaja, shall employ his classmates as his ministers.
Even though the table of contents contains fifteen books, the last two are missing. The famous book arthashastra by kautilya was not merely a book on. The kindle edition of this book is translated and arranged much better. Actually, the book is a masterpiece which covers a. At a party, he apparently ran into the vicechancellor of a german university and introduced himself, whereupon he was asked if he was from the land of shamashastry. The conqueror should know the comparative strength and weakness of himself and of his enemy. He authored the ancient indian political treatise, this book. Chapter 9 of book 1 suggests the king to maintain a council and a purohit chaplain, spiritual. In the last book of kautilyas arthashastra, kautilya had discussed the methodology of composition of arthashastra. Devaki, director of the ori, says, the publication of arthashastra not only gave a huge fillip to sanskrit studies, but significantly altered our understanding of ancient india. The arthashastra is written mainly in prose but also incorporates 380 shlokas. The design of book thickness makes the book app look lifelike and reading interesting. I was made to believe that it is translation of kautilya s arthashatra. A master strategist who was wellversed in the vedas and adept at creating intrigues and devising political stratagems, kautilyas genius is reflected in his arthashastra which is the most comprehensive treatise of statecraft of classical times.
There is a controversy regarding the date of arthashastra. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Kautilya,also known as chanakya is indias most illustrious political economist. The great kautilya arthashastra linkedin slideshare. Jul 21, 2016 this year s 20 army war college included readings from kautilya s arthashastra, and it provides a very interesting break from the sun tzu, clausewitz and jomini routine. A copy of the arthashastra in sanskrit, written on palm leaves, was presented by a tamil brahmin from tanjore to the newly opened mysore oriental library headed by benjamin lewis rice.
Kautilya refers in book i, chapter ix about ambition and lust as the general methods in tackling clandestine agents for protecting the best interests of the king. Reviewed in the united kingdom on 11 december 2012. Mar 28, 2020 kautilya s arthashastra book one chapter one is the life of a king and it is brief summary of whole kautilya s arthashastra. Likely to be the work of several authors over centuries, kautilya, also identified as vishnugupta and chanakya, is traditionally credited as the author of the text. That seems to be a very sensibly translated version. From sun tzu to jomini, military philosophers have endlessly discussed the topic. Kautilyas arthashastra book i, concerning discipline chapter i. The english translation of arthashastra, which ascribes itself to the famous brahman kautilya also named vishnugupta and chanakya and. Ahasan uddin bhuiyan department of public administration university of dhaka department of public administration univrsity of dhaka. Chanakya arthashastra pdf in hindi, english, sanskrit all. Book viii evils arising from a kings addiction to vices, misfortune which water, fire etc may bring on a land. Buy kautilya s arthashastra by kautilya s arthashastra isbn. The end of the sixfold policy book viii, concerning vices and calamities book ix, the work of an invader book x, relating to war book xi, the conduct of. Nov 16, 2017 there is one by penguin, translated by l.
The arthashastra by kautilya overdrive rakuten overdrive. Dance your finger on the touch screen to flip over the book app from left to. Kautilya arthashastra chanakya arthashastra indian. Vedic literature, hinduism scriptures, dharma texts, hinduism texts, kautilyas arthashastra s shamasastry. Kautilya, also known as chanakya, is india s most illustrious political economist of all time.
Rangarajan in his book, kautilya the arthashastra, speaks of a reference from the workshop organized by the indian council for historical research, which says that. Their uncertainty is at odds with the magnitude of shamashastrys discovery and the subsequent publication of kautilyas work. The book was discovered by shamasastri in 1909 who also translated and introduced it to the public. The arthashastra is an ancient indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy which identifies.
This book examines in detail the strategic relevance of the arthashastra. Kautilya s arthashastra and machiavellis the prince found in even the most ancient accounts of war and diplomacy, military treatise are systematic expositions on the proper conduct of war and peace and in what way both can be successfully administered. Arthasastra is an ancient indian sanskrit treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy. The arrow shot by the archer may or may not kill a single person. Kautilyas arthashastra is the oldest book on management available to the world. Kautilyas arthashastra and its relevance to contemporary strategic studies.
This arthasastra is made as a compendium of almost all the. Kautilyas arthashastra by kautilyas arthashastra, paperback. Even today, the arthashastra is the number one classic of diplomacy in india and, within this category, it is one of the most complete works of antiquity. Kautilyas the arthashastra a marxist and psychoanalytical.
Buy arthashastra book online at best prices in india on. Book 1, as a book on fundamentals of management, book 2 dealing with economics, books 3, 4 and 5 on law, books 6, 7, 8 describes foreign policies. A neglected precursor to classical economics charles waldauer, william j. He regarded economic activity as the driving force behind the functioning of political dispensation and went to the extent of saying that revenue should take priority over the army because. Keith when he advances the argument that under the explanation of the term in the last book of the arthasastra is cited one of kautilya s sentences from which the prima facie conclusion is that kautilya is cited as an authority and not as the author. Book vi description of the seven elements of politics, interstate relations. This arthasastra is made as a compendium of almost all the arthasastras, which, in view of acquisition and maintenance of the earth, have been composed by ancient teachers. Arthashastra and chanakya niti, also known as chanakya neetishastra. In the cities of sangrahana, dronamukha, and sthaniya, and at places where districts meet, three members acquainted with sacred law dharmasthas and three ministers of the king amatyas shall carry on the. Kautilya arthashastra chanakya arthashastra indian classical. It also proves to be a historical proof of how politically and economically. In the world of international politics, it is only natural that nations interact with each other through dissension and force.
It inc ludes bo oks on the nature of government, law, civil and criminal court systems, ethics, economics, markets and trade, the methods for screening ministers, diplomacy, theories on war, nature of peace, and the duties. First, it seeks to show how the ruler should protect his territory. Kautilya, also identified as vishnugupta and chanakya, is traditionally. Actually, the book is a masterpiece which covers a wide range of topics like statecraft. Kautilya chanakya 4th century bce was an indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist and royal adviser. Shamasastry, 1915 book i, concerning discipline book ii,the duties of government superintendents book iii, concerning law book iv, the removal of thorns book v, the conduct of courtiers book vi, the source of sovereign states. For example, states brekke, the legends in hindu epics preach heroism qua heroism which is in contrast to kautilya suggestion of prudence and never forgetting the four hindu goals of human life, while kamandaki s nitisara, which is similar to kautilya s arthashastra, is among other hindu classics on statecraft and foreign policy that suggest.
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