Dr.S.Muruganandhan, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.

,
Lecturer – Political Science
5 years BALLB – 2nd Year

Western & Indian Political Thought

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Arthashastra

1. Science of material gain and science of political economy.

2. Artha – means Sense, purpose, goal. Shastra – means Rules and manual of instructions.
3. It is a handbook to the administrator to rule the state.
4. Structure - 15 parts, 150 chapters, 32 divisions.
5. This book was lost but copy from palm leaves rediscovered in 1905 in Thanjavur.
6. In 1909 the Arthashastra renovated by Professor. Shamasastry (librarian Mysore
university, Karnataka). And translated from Sanskrit to English in 1915.

Kautilya

1. Kautilya also called as Chanakiya and Vishnugupta – period, 350 – 275 BC

2. Brahmin family, in Taxila – Peshavar in Pakistan.
3. He born with the teeth but his teeth was broken because of Brahmins were not eligible
to rule the country (if born with the teeth any child that child will became as king
particularly Kshatriyas)
4. Other writing - Chanakiya neethi
5. He learned the Vedhas very well and influenced by the Manushmriti.
6. Talent in many fields - Political philosopher, political adviser, King maker, Economist,
Teacher (taxila university), cunning man.
7. Death is mystery – he starved himself, court conspiracy.
King Maker

1. Kautilya challenged (Swear) the king Dhana Nandhan (nanthas dynasty) because of
Kautilya was humiliated in the feast.
2. Chandra Gupta Maurya (Kautilya’s childhood friend).
3. Civil war in Magadha in Bihar and Eastern UP -322 BC.
4. He made ‘Chandra Gupta’ as king in Magadha Empire
5. He made as king ‘Bindusara’ son of Chandra Gupta.

Structure of Arthashastra - 15 Parts.

1. Kingship – ministries, discipline, qualities, duties.

2. Civil administration – public administration and various department.
3. Law – civil
4. Law - criminal
5. Duties and responsibilities of the courtiers – treasury, workers.
6. Saptanga theory of the sate – 7 elements of the state.
7. Relationship with other kingdom – diplomacy, cooperation, economic, troops.
8. Subjects of Calamities – disaster management for disease, natural and artificial issues.
9. Preparing to march into battle – equipments and weapons.
10. On war – strategies of war.
11. Conduct towards confederation - league or alliance.
12. Related to the enemies – sama, dana, bheda and danda.
13. Capturing the fort in other kingdom
14. On esoteric pratices – secret way to escape.
15. Plan of treatise of this book (Arthashastra) – analyzing and Research methods.
Saptanga Theory of the state – 7 Elements

1. Swamin – ruler/king
Birth, brave, well learned, virtuous, monitor.
2. Amatya – courtiers/ council of ministers.
Suggestions to king, collect the taxes, developmental work, defense of the people & state.
3. Janapada – territory and people
Territory – fertile, forest, revers, mountains
People – loyal to the king, discipline, pay the tax, fight for the motherland
4. Durga – forts
Numbers of forts, secret way and place, defense against foreign invasions,
store the food grains for emergency.
5. Kosha – treasury.
Finance, salaries, expenditure for infrastructure. Should be full of money, gems,
valuable metals, Increasing by tax, plundering enemy state by war.
6. Danda – army
Regular, large, disciplined, well trained. Recruitment from traditionally associated with
family of army soldiers, soldier should be paid well, family should be taken care after his
demise on the war, equipment and weapons should be ready for available, soldiers will be
ready to sacrifice even their life for the king/state.
7. Mitra – allies
Relationship with near countries. King should maintain relationship with the friend of their
forefathers. Making new friends by gifts, pleasantries, they should be helped in times of
emergency, encourage the trade like import and export.

Education for the king

1. Celibacy (Bramacharya) till 16 years/ age

2. Should be under aged teacher for the discipline
3. Well known - Vedas, philosophy, politics, economic and Military.
Rid of the six passions of the King

 Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matcharya.

Sovereignty of the King

 Highest and absolute control the state

Administration

1. Commander –in-chief to the 4 forces

2. Should be resolute and merciless
3. Control of the state – liquor, drugs, gambling, prostitution.
4. Welfare state, foreign policy, peace, war (for emergency only)

Judicial administration

1. Dharmasthiya- civil court

2. Kandaka Sodhana – criminal court

Danda – punishment

 Peace, Justice, Dharma.

Mandala theory (Zone)

1. Relationship with other kingdom/state/monarch.

2. Self-protection - plan.
3. Acropolis – territory, forest, mountain, water, desert.
4. Canel/trench, bridges.
5. Storage the good grains – for the war period.
6. Esoteric – secret ways and places.
7. Forces – Cavalry, Elephantry, Chariot, and Infantry.
8. Destroy the enemy forces - war strategies.
9. Compromise.
10. Effort to control the enemies/ neighbor states by the method of
Sama, Dana, Bheda and Danda
Weak countries
 Sama – negotiation
 Dana – contributions of money, martials, troops.

Strong countries

 Bheda – make difference opinion / interfere in allies/maneuver

 Danda – direct war

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Thank You