Kautilya's Artha Shastra- A treatise on Statecraft




Arthashastra
  • By Kautilya
  • Expended further by Vishnu Gupta in 5th C AD

  • Art of creating state
  • How to strengthen it
  • Administration
  • Duties and responsibility of king
  • Methods to defeat an enemy


  • Foreign policy
  • Economic policy
  • Society and economy of Mauryan period

  • Civil administration
    • Appointment based on merit of not only competence but of Character also
    • Hierarchy
      • Tirtha
      • Adhyaksha
      • Mahamatya
      • Amatya
    • Duties and responsibilities also described
  • Socio-religious life
    • All the 4 varnas allowed to join military
    • 8 forms of marriage mentioned
    • Provision of divorce in special case
    • 9 types of salves
    • Crime against craftsmen and artisans were highly punishable
    • Forbade the renunciation of worldly life without making arrangement for it

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