Kautilya’s Arthashastra: Timeless Strategies for Modern Governance by Dr. Vinayak Rajat Bhat and Ms. Tejusvi Shukla is a meticulously crafted 114-page textbook published by the IKS Division, Ministry of Education, New Delhi. The book revives the timeless political wisdom of Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, renowned for his role in uniting Bharatavarsha into a powerful empire. His insights into governance, strategy and statecraft continue to be relevant in modern times. Authored by Dr. Bhat, an Associate Professor at Chanakya University and Ms. Shukla, a consultant in the Ministry of External Affairs, the book offers a structured analysis of the Arthashastra, making it accessible to contemporary readers. It covers both internal governance, such as the training of a king and state resource management, and external strategies, including diplomacy and warfare.
Key sections include Tantradhikara, which discusses internal affairs, including the four essential sciences — Anvikshiki (philosophy), Trayi (the three Vedas), Varta (economics), and Dandaniti (law and governance). The authors emphasise the significance of the seven prakritis — Swami (king), Amatya (minister), Janapada (territory and population), Durga (forts), Kosha (treasury), Danda (law and order) and Mitra (ally) — highlighting their importance in maintaining a strong state. The section on foreign policy, Avapadhikara, contextualises Kautilya’s strategic approach within diplomacy and warfare. It elaborates on the Shadgunya Siddhanta, which includes six foreign policy instruments: Sandhi (treaty), Vigraha (war), Asana (neutrality), Yana (preparation for war), Samashraya (seeking alliance) and Dvaidhibhava (dual policy). These strategies, along with the four upayas (sama, dana, bheda, and danda), are seen as essential tools for a skilled strategist.
The authors effectively connect
the Arthashastra’s teachings to contemporary contexts, underscoring
their relevance to modern governance. However, the book could benefit from a
modern commentary linking these principles to current practices and from
comparative analyses with other non-Western political philosophies,
contributing to the decolonisation of political thought. Overall, Kautilya’s
Arthashastra: Timeless Strategies for Modern Governance is a
commendable effort that bridges ancient and modern governance, making it an
invaluable resource for students, researchers and practitioners interested in
the enduring relevance of Kautilya’s ideas.
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