The Arthashastra
The Arthashastra by Kautilya, published by Aziloth Books on February 10, 2021, is a significant historical text originally written around 400 B.C. This edition, comprising 352 pages in English, presents a comprehensive guide for rulers on the intricacies of governance. Rediscovered in 1905, the text challenges previous Western beliefs about the origins of Indian political structures, showcasing the indigenous development of statecraft and kingship.
Readers will find that The Arthashastra delves into a wide array of topics essential for effective rule, including taxation, military strategy, and the formation of alliances. The text also explores unconventional methods of governance, such as deception and manipulation, alongside practical advice on various aspects of state management. With its focus on political philosophy and strategy, this work serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the historical foundations of political science and the complexities of leadership in ancient India.
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Written around 400 B.C. by Kautilya, the ‘Indian Machiavelli’, THE ARTHASHASTRA was thought lost for more than a thousand years. It was rediscovered in 1905, when scholar Rudrapatnam Shamashastry was asked to catalogue an unpromising pile of palm leaf manuscripts – and suddenly found himself holding a complete copy of the long-lost masterpiece.
Shamashastry published an English translation in 1915 to worldwide acclaim. Until that time, Western orientalists believed that Indian government had copied their structure from the Greeks, following Alexander the Great’s incursion into the subcontinent. Now it was plain that the art of government and Kingship was an indigenous achievement, with Greek administrations possibly copying that of India.
This Indian Classic is a unique, comprehensive guide for Kings on the means – foul or fair – of running a viable state. Nothing is omitted, from taxes on prostitutes and care of livestock, through Elephant training, battle tactics and the making of alliances, to the use of deception, threat, and kidnapping to further Royal policy. Also included are magical incantations, and methods of ‘neutralising’ enemies (as well as ‘inconvenient’ brothers or sons) by means of ambush, poison, and the use of ‘fiery spies’. An eye-opening, amoral discourse on the wiles and stratagems to be mastered by any aspiring conqueror!
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