Kautilya's Arthasastra : Statecraft
Kautilya’s View on Statecraft
Kautilya Arthasastra is a unique treatise on the art of statecraft or governance, wherein every single aspect of human life is subject to the jurisdiction of the state. His detailed work clearly laid down an organization set-up, and there was a clear-cut division of a fix and politics. However, he was of the opinion that politics devoid of ethics is dangerous to prosperity and security of the entire kingdom.
In all matters of state, Dharma should be the guiding factors. In many ways Kautilya was compared to Machiavelli in certain matters of statecraft. The following is a brief explanation of various issues that are part of the entire state machinery :
Tha Saptanga Theory: According to Kautilya, a state has seven elements or constituent, namely, Swamin-the King, Amatya-the Ministers, the Janapada-the Land, and the People, Durga-the Fortres, Kosha the Treasury, Danda-the Army and Mitra-the Allies. This entire set-up of the kingdom was described as Saptanga Theory in ancient India.
The Swamin refers to the king, regarded as the indispensable, integral and inseperable part of the state in ancient India. King in all cases belonged to the noble and royal family who possessed qualities of both head and heart. Amatya or the minister refers to all the official involved in the functioning of the government. It is their responsibility to ensure that the government run smoothly.Janapada implies the land and the people and, according tp Kautilya, must be fertile.
The term Durga in ancient times means fort, which is considered an extremely important element. Usually, forts were constructed on the borders of the territory. Kautilya, in fact, divided these forts into water, hill, desert and forest forts. The fifth element is Kosha or the treasury. Kautilya opined that a king must a mass wealth to promote the welfare of the people and also maintain his army.
Danda refered to the armed forces to protect the state from aggressions and maintain
Kautilya Arthasastra is a unique treatise on the art of statecraft or governance, wherein every single aspect of human life is subject to the jurisdiction of the state. His detailed work clearly laid down an organization set-up, and there was a clear-cut division of a fix and politics. However, he was of the opinion that politics devoid of ethics is dangerous to prosperity and security of the entire kingdom.
In all matters of state, Dharma should be the guiding factors. In many ways Kautilya was compared to Machiavelli in certain matters of statecraft. The following is a brief explanation of various issues that are part of the entire state machinery :
Tha Saptanga Theory: According to Kautilya, a state has seven elements or constituent, namely, Swamin-the King, Amatya-the Ministers, the Janapada-the Land, and the People, Durga-the Fortres, Kosha the Treasury, Danda-the Army and Mitra-the Allies. This entire set-up of the kingdom was described as Saptanga Theory in ancient India.
The Swamin refers to the king, regarded as the indispensable, integral and inseperable part of the state in ancient India. King in all cases belonged to the noble and royal family who possessed qualities of both head and heart. Amatya or the minister refers to all the official involved in the functioning of the government. It is their responsibility to ensure that the government run smoothly.Janapada implies the land and the people and, according tp Kautilya, must be fertile.
The term Durga in ancient times means fort, which is considered an extremely important element. Usually, forts were constructed on the borders of the territory. Kautilya, in fact, divided these forts into water, hill, desert and forest forts. The fifth element is Kosha or the treasury. Kautilya opined that a king must a mass wealth to promote the welfare of the people and also maintain his army.
Danda refered to the armed forces to protect the state from aggressions and maintain