Directions: Read the Excerpts Below and Add to Your Chart on Chandragupta Maurya

Arthasastra By Kautilya

Directions: read the excerpts below and add to your chart on Chandragupta Maurya

Background: Legend states that Chandragupta’s success was due, in large measure, to his Brahman minister and advisor, Kautilya. Arthasastra was a textbook that outlined governmental administration and political strategy. There was a highly centralized and hierarchical government with a large staff, which regulated tax collection, trade, commerce, industrial arts, mining, vital statistics, welfare of foreigners, maintenance of public places, including markets and temples. A large standing army and a well-developed espionage system were maintained. The empire was divided into provinces, districts, and villages governed by a host of centrally appointed local officials, who replicated the functions of the central administration.”

Excerpt & Commentary of the Arthasastra

Secret Service and Law: “Employing spies seems to have been common and part of the royal administration in the ancient times. In Arthasastra, we find that “the king shall create spies under [cover posing as] a hermit, a householder, a merchant,, a classmate, and a beggar. Of these spies, those who are of good family, loyal, reliable, well trained shall be sent by ministers, priests, commanders, of army” (AI:XI) Perhaps the least pleasant feature of political life in Arthasastra time was the espionage. The spy was an important means of keeping a finger on the pulse of public opinion . . .”

On Agriculture: “The king shall protect agriculture from oppressive fines and taxes, and cattle from thieves . . . and disease. He must protect his citizens, and peasants in particular who are the sources of prosperity . . .”

On Social Evils and other problems: Arthasastra speaks about various social issues and problems. “Those orphans who are to be fed by the state and are put to study science and the duties of various orders of religious life etc shall be employed as classmate spies’ (AI:XII). The king shall provide the orphans, the aged, the infirm, the afflicted, and the helpless with maintenance. He shall provide subsistence (the basics: food, clothing & shelter) to helpless women when they are carrying and also to the children they give birth to.”

The above was taken from http:/www.geocities.com/tamiltribune/03/1001.html