What is Arthasustra?

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy. Composed in Sanskrit by the sage Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, it is considered to be one of the earliest works of its kind in the world.

The Arthashastra is divided into 15 books, covering various aspects of statecraft, including:

- The duties and responsibilities of a king and his officers;

- The administration of justice;

- Foreign policy and diplomacy;

- The conduct of war;

- Economic policy and revenue generation;

- Social welfare;

- The duties of citizens;

- The ethics of government.

The Arthashastra is a remarkable work that provides a comprehensive and insightful view into ancient Indian political thought and statecraft. It is considered to be a seminal text on political science and public administration and continues to be studied and admired by scholars and policymakers around the world.