Who was Chanakya? What are the things one can learn from the Arthashastra?
Who was Chanakya
Chanakya, otherwise known as Kaudily, was an ancient Indian teacher and advisor who had a great role in the establishment of the Maurya dynasty under the leadership of Chandragupta. Chanakya and Chandragupta were close friends. Some historians believe in a rumour that led to the establishment of the Mughal dynasty. Chandragupta was insulted in the court of King Nandha. He was deeply hurt by the incident and went out of the palace. He told his experience with Chanakya. Both of them decided to take revenge. With the help of Chanakya, Chandragupta defeated Nanda and established the Maurya dynasty. It was the mastermind of Chanakya that led to his victory. Chanakya was a great scholar at Takshashila. His famous book ‘Arthashastra’ holds many state matters, law, military strategies, and nation development. It was written in the Sanskrit language. Chankya or Kaudilya was also known as Vishnugupta. Some scholars believe that Arthasasthra was written during 3- 2nd BC. But the content of the book led many rulers to take concepts on statecraft and military purposes. The cleverness and robustness of Kaudilya are well exhibited in his book. The book is still considered by many scholars as the foundation of nation-building.
– Written by Edutuber Mallu
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya and Vishnugupta was the general secretary of Chandragupta Maurya. He was a trainer at Taxila University and generally trained Bhim and Kirat princesses. By destroying the Nanda dynasty, he destroyed Chandragupta Maurya. He wrote a book named ARTHASHASTRA based on politics, economics, agriculture, social policy, etc. Kautilya has discussed seven elements of the state, by not giving details of the four essential elements of the state – land, population, government, and sovereignty, propounded by Western political thinkers. In this regard, he does not define the state, but supports the already existing weekly theory. Kautilya has compared the state to the human body and has accepted its form. All the elements of the state work like organs of the human body, interrelated, interdependent, and together.
1. Swami (king) is equal to the top. He should be aristocratic, intelligent, courageous, patient, sober, far-sighted, and skilled in the art of war.
2. Amatya (minister) is the eyes of the state. The term used by Kautilya for ministers, secretaries, administrative and judicial officials. According to Kautilya, the Amatya, ie, the minister, should be born citizens of their own country, belonging to a higher clan, characterful, capable, skilled in various arts, and self-devotees.
3. Janpad (land and subjects or population) are the people of the state on which the existence of the state is possible. Kautilya has described fertile, full of natural resources, livestock, rivers, ponds, and forestland as prime land suitable.
The population includes people who are contributing to economic production. People should be loyal, hardworking, and obey the king’s rules, regulations, and orders.
4. Durg (fort) is the one who has the responsibility to protect the state. The king should build such forts, which are beneficial for aggressive war and from a defensive point of view. Kautilya has described four types of fortifications – Oudic (water) fort, mountain (hill) fort, Vanadurga (wild), and Dhanvan (desert) fort.
5. Kosh (treasury) is similar to the head of the state. The Fund has been considered the most important element of the state, because money is required during the operation and war of the state. The corpus should be so abundant that it helps face any calamity. Kautilya has given several measures to increase funds in the fund. He also advises the king to adopt unfair means to get revenue in a crisis.
6. Dand (force, baton or army) is the brain of the state. A force or army is a very important element to control the subjects and enemies. Kautilya has given six types of army. For example, hereditary army, appointed or hired soldiers, soldiers of military corporations, soldiers of a friendly state, soldiers of an enemy state, and tribal soldiers. Vaishyas and Shudras can also be recruited in the army in times of crisis. Soldiers should be patient, efficient, war-skilled, and patriotic. The king should also take care of the comforts of the soldiers. Kautilya has stated the four goals of punishing: achieving the unattainable object, protecting the object, promoting the protected object, and dividing the object into the appropriate characters.
7. Suhrid (friend) is the ear of the state. The king’s friends help him in both peace and war. In this regard, Kautilya distinguishes between Sahaj (ideal) and Artificial friend. A spontaneous friend is better than an artificial friend. The destruction of a king whose friends are greedy, cowardly, and foolish is inevitable.
– Written By Kumari
