Kauṭilya
Kauṭilya, also known as Chanakya, is a prominent figure in Indian history, recognized primarily as the author of the *Arthaśāstra*, a key Sanskrit text on statecraft and political theory. Although the precise dates of the text's composition vary, it is believed to date between the third century BCE and the third century CE. The *Arthaśāstra* serves as a manual for practical governance and has been influential throughout Indian history, particularly during the Middle Ages, as evidenced by its references in subsequent political writings.
Kauṭilya is historically associated with Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, whom he advised and helped to establish the Mauryan Empire. His reputation as a cunning and strategic politician has led to comparisons with European political thinkers like Niccolò Machiavelli, although such analogies may not capture his broader cultural significance. In various legends and literary works, Kauṭilya is depicted as a shrewd yet effective leader, known for his sometimes unscrupulous methods. The rich narrative surrounding his life and teachings continues to inspire discussions on ethics in politics and governance in contemporary contexts.
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Kauṭilya
Related civilization: India
Major role/position: Statesman
Life
Kauṭilya (koh-TEEL-yah) is generally regarded as the author of a famous Sanskrit treatise on nīti-śāstra, or practical statecraft, entitled the Arthaśāstra (dates vary, third century b.c.e.-third century c.e.; Treatise on the Good, 1961). However, historical evidence does not provide a sure date or provenance for this text, nor for its author. The Treatise on the Good was a manual widely read in the Indian Middle Ages, as shown by numerous citations in later works on politics. The text, in mixed verse and prose, seems to consist of several historical layers and therefore is most likely of composite authorship, the name Viṣṇugupta perhaps referring to the latest compiler.
In later legends and literature, a minister of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (r. c. 321-c. 298 b.c.e.) named Kauṭilya (“the crooked one”) appears; he is said to have been instrumental in establishing the Mauryan Empire in India.
Influence
The Treatise on the Good had considerable influence on political thought in India. Also, many legends are recounted of Cāṇakya or Kauṭilya, and he is sometimes compared, though perhaps not accurately, to Europe’s Niccolò Machiavelli. The playwright Viśākhadatta (fourth century c.e. or later), in his memorable work Mudrārākṣasa (possibly fourth century c.e. or later; Mudraraksasam, 1900), portrays Kauṭilya as an effective and powerful, though deceitful, politician.
Bibliography
Kauṭilya. The Arthaśāstra. Translated by L. N. Rangarajan. New York: Penguin, 1992.
Scharfe, Hartmut. Investigations in Kautalya’s Manual of Political Science. 2d ed. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz, 1993.