The Arthaśāstra

The only extant treatise on statecraft from classical India, the Arthaśāstra is an invaluable resource for understanding ancient South Asian political thought; it also provides a comprehensive and unparalleled panoramic view of Indian society during the period between the Maurya (320–185 BCE) and Gupta (320–497 CE) empires.

This volume offers modern English translations of key ...

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The only extant treatise on statecraft from classical India, the Arthaśāstra is an invaluable resource for understanding ancient South Asian political thought; it also provides a comprehensive and unparalleled panoramic view of Indian society during the period between the Maurya (320–185 BCE) and Gupta (320–497 CE) empires.

This volume offers modern English translations of key selections, organized thematically, from the Arthaśāstra. A general Introduction briefly traces the arc of ancient South Asian history, explains the classical Indian tradition of statecraft, and discusses the origins and importance of the Arthaśāstra. Thorough explanatory essays and notes set each excerpt in its intellectual, political, and cultural contexts.

CONTENTS OF THE ARTHAŚĀSTRA
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE ARTHAŚĀSTRA
Chapter One: How to be Good King
1.1 Training of a King
Education
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CONTENTS OF THE ARTHAŚĀSTRA
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
THE ARTHAŚĀSTRA
Chapter One: How to be Good King
1.1 Training of a King
Education
Training of Character
1.2 Taking Counsel
1.3 Daily Routine
1.4 Personal Security
Chapter Two: The Kingdom
2.1 Constituents of a Kingdom
2.2 Construction of Fortified Cities
Construction of Forts
Lay-Out of the Fort
2.3 Security of the Royal Residence
2.4 Rules for the City
2.5 Rules for Constructing Neighborhoods
2.6 Settling the Countryside
2.7 Protecting Against Calamities
Chapter Three: Central Administration
3.1 Appointments to the Central Administration
General Qualifications
Counselor-Chaplain (Mantripurohita)
Treasurer (Samnidhātṛ)
Collector (Samāhartṛ)
3.2 Superintendents of Departments
Appointment and Conduct of Superintendents
Superintendent of Customs
Superintendent of Yarn
Superintendent of Agriculture
Superintendent of Liquor
Superintendent of Shipping
Superintendent of Horses
Superintendent of Elephants
3.3 Revenue streams
Taxation
Fees, customs, and levies
Fines
3.4 Treasury
Chapter Four: The Judiciary
4.1 Organization of Courts
4.2 Valid Transactions and Transactors
4.3 Judicial Procedure
Filing of Lawsuits
Evidence: Witnesses
4.4 Titles of Law
Family Law
Inheritance
Debts
Interest Rates
Employment
Sale without Ownership
Verbal Assault
Physical Assault
Gambling and Betting
Chapter Five: Internal Security and Suppression of Criminal Activities
5.1 Internal Secret Service
Clandestine Operatives: Informants
Clandestine Operatives: Mobile Agents
Testing the Loyalty and Honesty of State Employees
Secret Punishments
Punishment of State Officials
5.2 Magistrates and Police
Investigations of Crimes and Murder
Suppression of Crimes
5.3 Prisons and Jails
Chapter Six: Foreign Affairs
6.1 Circle Doctrine of States: Allies and Enemies
6.2 Six Measures of Foreign Policy
6.3 Envoys
6.4 Foreign Secret Service
Chapter Seven: War
7.1 The Structure of the Army
7.2 Military Expedition
Marching
Military Camp
7.3 Battle Tactics
Accounting for Terrain
Encouraging the Troops
Battle Arrays & Combat
7.4 Taking a Fort
7.5 Conduct in Victory
7.6 Conquering the Earth
INDEX OF PASSAGES
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