Arthshastra
...- Kautilya
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1. Kautilya's Arthasastra is a treatise on artha and sastra. . Arthasastra is the science, which is the means of the acquisition and protection of Earth. Arthasastra could be regarded as the sastra concerned with the general well being on earth. And since the state activity alone can make such a well being possible, the protection of Earth and it's acquisition which are an essential part of state activity are declared to be province of this sastra. The wide range of state activity covered in arthasastra has a two-fold aim. First it gives out how a ruler should protect his territory, which principally refers to administration of the state. Second, it gives out how territory should be acquired which principally is conquest of territory from others. This involves a consideration of the foreign policy of the state .
2. The name Arthasastra for the science of politics and administration finds its mention in the epic of Mahabaratha. The precepts of the science of administration and politics may have been framed by the early purohitas for the guidance of the kings whom they served. The precepts may be supposed to have been collected together and may thus have constituted as a manual for the guidance of rulers in general. Kautaliya may have put together these precepts and his arthasatra may be the culmination of a long period of speculation and not its starting point .
3. Kautilya's Arthasastra contains fifteen adhikaranas or books. Of these the first five deal with tantra' or the internal administration of the state. The next eight deals with avapa' or its relation with the neighbouring states and the last two are miscellaneous in character. In the sixth adhikarna the qualities, which make each of the seven prakritis or constituents of the state...
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