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The Kautilya Arthasastra is the oldest and most exhaustive treatise on the governance and administration of a state. Starting with the bringing up and education of the young prince, it proceeds to the appointment of ministers and the organization and functioning of various state departments, including the setting up of a secret service. It then sets forth a code of civil and criminal law. In the matter of foreign relations, it puts before the ruler the ideal of a vijigisu (would-be world conqueror) and discusses in great detail the various situations he may have to face in his dealings with foreign states, whether friendly or inimical and points out how he should conduct himself in every case so as to achieve his goal. The present edition comprises three parts.
Part I is a new critical edition of the text based on all manuscript evidence available so far as well as on portions of ancient commentaries that have been published. It also takes into account the new commentary on the entire text by T. Ganapati Sastri.
Part II is a new English translation of the text; the critical and explanatory notes consider the various readings in the text as well as the different interpretations found in the commentaries or offered by modern scholars.
Part III is a study of the text and deals with all problems that are likely to arise in connection with its study, such as the origin of the Arthasastra as a science, the authorship, and date of the work, social conditions reflected in it, the economy of the state visualized in it, the administrative setup recommended, law and its administration, foreign policy and so on. It also attempts an assessment of its importance and relevance in modern times.
About the Author
R. P. Kangle taught Sanskrit for over thirty years in Government colleges in Gujarat and Maharashtra (old Bombay Presidency) and retired as a Professor of Sanskrit from the Elphinstone College, Bombay in 1954. The three-part work on the Kautilya Arthasastra was published by the University of Bombay between 1961 and 1965. Other publications to his name are in Marathi: The Plays of Kalidasa, Ancient Indian Political Science, Ancient Poetics, Marathi translations of the Kautilya Arthasastra, etc.
PART ONE
Sanskrit Text with a Glossary
PART TWO
An English Translation with Critical and Explanatory Notes
Book 1 | Concerning the Topic of Training | 1-54 | ||
1 | Enumeration of Sections and Books | 1 | ||
2 | Sec. 1 | Enumeration of the Sciences | 5 | |
3 | Sec. 1 | (Continued) | 7 | |
4 | Sec. 1 | (Continued) | 9 | |
5 | Sec. 2 | Association with Elders | 10 | |
6 | Sec. 3 | Control over the Senses | 12 | |
7 | Sec. 3 | (Continued) | 13 | |
8 | Sec. 4 | Appointment of Ministers | 15 | |
9 | Sec. 5 | Appointment of Councillors and Chaplain | 17 | |
10 | Sec. 6 | Ascertainment of the Integrity of Ministers by Means of Secret Tests | 18 | |
11 | Sec. 7 | Appointment of Persons in Secret Service | 21 | |
12 | Sec. 7 | (Continued) | ||
Sec. 8 | Rules for Secret Servants | 23 | ||
13 | Sec. 9 | Keeping over the Enemy's Seducible and Non-seducible Parties | 28 | |
14 | Sec. 10 | Winning over the Enemy's Seducible and Non-seducible Parties | 30 | |
15 | Sec. 11 | The Topic of Counsel | 32 | |
16 | Sec. 12 | Rules for the Envoy | 36 | |
17 | Sec. 13 | Guarding against Princes | 39 | |
18 | Sec. 14 | Conduct of the Prince in Disfavour | ||
Sec. 15 | Behaviour towards a Prince in Disfavour | 43 | ||
19 | Sec. 16 | Rules for the King | 45 | |
20 | Sec. 17 | Regulations for the Royal Residence | 48 | |
21 | Sec. 18 | Protection of the King's Person | 51 | |
Book 2 | The Activity of the Heads of Departments | 55-189 | ||
1 | Sec. 19 | Settlement of the Countryside | 55 | |
2 | Sec. 20 | Disposal of Non-agricultural Land | 59 | |
3 | Sec. 21 | Construction of Forts | 61 | |
4 | Sec. 22 | Lay-out of the Fortified City | 67 | |
5 | Sec. 23 | Duties of the Directory of Stores | 72 | |
6 | Sec. 24 | The Setting up of Revenue by the Administrator | 75 | |
7 | Sec. 25 | Records and Accounts and Audit Office | 80 | |
8 | Sec. 26 | Misappropriation of Revenue by Officers and Its Recovery | 85 | |
9 | Sec. 27 | Inspection of Officers Work | 89 | |
10 | Sec. 28 | The Topic of Edicts | 92 | |
11 | Sec. 29 | Examination of Precious Articles Received in the Treasury | 97 | |
12 | Sec. 30 | Starting of Mines and Factories | 105 | |
13 | Sec. 31 | The Superintendent of Gold in the Workshop | 110 | |
14 | Sec. 32 | The Royal Goldsmith in the Market Highway | 116 | |
15 | Sec. 33 | The Superintendent of the Magazine | 122 | |
16 | Sec. 34 | The Directory of Trade | 127 | |
17 | Sec. 35 | The Director of Forests | 129 | |
18 | Sec. 36 | The Superintendent of the Armoury | 131 | |
19 | Sec. 37 | Standardisation of Weights and Measures | 134 | |
20 | Sec. 38 | Measures of Space and Time | 138 | |
21 | Sec. 39 | The Collector of Customs | 141 | |
22 | Sec. 39 | (Continued) | 144 | |
23 | Sec. 40 | The Superintendent of Yarns | 146 | |
24 | Sec. 41 | The Director of Agriculture | 148 | |
25 | Sec. 42 | The Controller of Spirituous Liquors | 153 | |
26 | Sec. 43 | The Supervisor of Animal Slaughter | 157 | |
27 | Sec. 44 | The Superintendent of Courtesans | 158 | |
28 | Sec. 45 | The Controller of Shipping | 162 | |
29 | Sec. 46 | The Superintendent of Cattle | 165 | |
30 | Sec. 47 | The Superintendent of Horses | 170 | |
31 | Sec. 48 | The Superintendent of Elephants | 174 | |
32 | Sec. 48 | (Continued) | 177 | |
33 | Sec. 49 | The Superintendent of Chariots | ||
Sec. 50 | The Superintendent of Foot Soldiers | |||
Sec. 51 | The Commandant of the Army | 179 | ||
34 | Sec. 52 | The Superintendent of Passports | ||
Sec. 53 | The Superintendent of Pastures | 181 | ||
35 | Sec. 54 | The Administrator's Activity | ||
Sec. 55 | Activity of Secret Agents | 182 | ||
36 | Sec. 56 | The City Superintendent | 185 | |
Book 3 | Concerning Judges | 190-253 | ||
1 | Sec. 57 | Valid and Invalid Transactions | ||
Sec. 58 | Filing of Law-suits | 190 | ||
2 | Sec. 59 | Concerning Marriage | 196 | |
3 | Sec. 59 | (Continued) | 201 | |
4 | Sec. 59 | (Continued) | 205 | |
5 | Sec. 60 | Partition of Inheritance | 208 | |
6 | Sec. 60 | (Continued) | 211 | |
7 | Sec. 60 | (Continued) | 213 | |
8 | Sec. 61 | Concerning Immovable Property | 216 | |
9 | Sec. 61 | (Continued) | 219 | |
10 | Sec. 61 | (Continued) | ||
Sec. 62 | Non-observance of Conventions | 222 | ||
11 | Sec. 63 | Non-payment of Debts | 226 | |
12 | Sec. 64 | Concerning Deposits | 230 | |
13 | Sec. 65 | Law Concerning Slaves and Labourers | 235 | |
14 | Sec. 65 | (Continued) | ||
Sec. 66 | Undertakings in Partnership | 239 | ||
15 | Sec. 67 | Rescission of Sale and Purchase | 242 | |
16 | Sec. 68 | Non-conveyance of Gifts | ||
Sec. 69 | Sale without Ownership | |||
Sec. 70 | The Relation of Ownership | 248 | ||
17 | Sec. 71 | Forcible Seizure | 245 | |
18 | Sec. 72 | Verbal Injury | 246 | |
19 | Sec. 73 | Physical Injury | 247 | |
20 | Sec. 74 | Gambling and Betting | ||
Sec. 75 | Miscellaneous Offences | 250 | ||
Book 4 | The Suppression of Criminals | 254-291 | ||
1 | Sec. 76 | Keeping a Watch over Artisans | 254 | |
2 | Sec. 77 | Keeping a Watch over Traders | 259 | |
3 | Sec. 78 | Remedies during Calamities | 262 | |
4 | Sec. 79 | Guarding against Persons with Secret Income | 265 | |
5 | Sec. 80 | Detection of Criminals through Secret Agents | 267 | |
6 | Sec. 81 | Arrest on Suspicion, with the Article and by the Act | 268 | |
7 | Sec. 82 | Inquest on Sudden Deaths | 272 | |
8 | Sec. 83 | Investigation through Interrogation and through Torture | 274 | |
9 | Sec. 84 | Keeping a Watch over Departments | 277 | |
10 | Sec. 85 | Redemption from Corporal Punishment | 281 | |
11 | Sec. 86 | Capital Punishment | 283 | |
12 | Sec. 87 | Violation of Maidens | 285 | |
13 | Sec. 88 | Punishment for Transgressions | 288 | |
Book 5 | Secret Conduct | 292-313 | ||
1 | Sec. 89 | Infliction of Secret Punishment | 292 | |
2 | Sec. 90 | Replenishment on the Treasury | 296 | |
3 | Sec. 91 | The Salaries of State Servants | 302 | |
4 | Sec. 92 | Conduct Proper for a Dependent | 305 | |
5 | Sec. 93 | Proper Behaviour of a Courtier | 307 | |
6 | Sec. 94 | Continuance of the Kingdom | ||
Sec. 95 | Continuous Sovereignty | 309 | ||
Book 6 | The Circle of Kings as the Basis | 314-320 | ||
1 | Sec. 96 | Excellences of Constituents | 314 | |
2 | Sec. 97 | Concerning Peace and Activity | 317 | |
Book 7 | The Six Measures of Foreign Policy | 321-384 | ||
1 | Sec. 98 | Enumeration of the Six Measures | ||
Sec. 99 | Use of Measures in Decline, Stable Condition and Advancement | 321 | ||
2 | Sec. 100 | Conduct when Seeking Shelter | 325 | |
3 | Sec. 101 | Policies for the Equal, the Weaker and the Stronger Kings | ||
Sec. 102 | Peace-Treatises by the Weaker King | 327 | ||
4 | Sec. 103 | Staying Quiet after Making War | ||
Sec. 104 | Staying Quiet after Making Peace | |||
Sec. 105 | Marching after Making War | |||
Sec. 106 | Marching after Making War | |||
Sec. 107 | Marching with other Kings | 331 | ||
5 | Sec. 108 | Considerations about Attack on a Vulnerable King and the Enemy | ||
Sec. 109 | Causes Leading to Decline, Greed and Disaffection among Subjects | |||
Sec. 110 | Confederated Allies | 334 | ||
6 | Sec. 111 | March of two Allied Kings | ||
Sec. 112 | Treaties with Stipulations, without Stipulations and with Deserters | 338 | ||
7 | Sec. 113 | Peace and War Connected with Dual Policy | 342 | |
8 | Sec. 114 | Conduct of the King about to be Attacked | ||
Sec. 115 | Allies Fit to be Helped | 346 | ||
9 | Sec. 116 | Pacts for Securing an Ally, Money, Land an Undertaking | 349 | |
10 | Sec. 116 | (Continued) | 353 | |
11 | Sec. 116 | (Continued) | 355 | |
12 | Sec. 116 | (Continued) | 359 | |
13 | Sec. 117 | Considerations about the King Attacking in the Rear | 361 | |
14 | Sec. 118 | Recoupment of Powers Become Weak | 366 | |
15 | Sec. 119 | Entrenching Oneself in a Fort in War with a Stronger King | ||
Sec. 120 | Conduct of the King Surrendering with Troops | 369 | ||
16 | Sec. 121 | Conduct of the King Subjugating by Force | 372 | |
17 | Sec. 122 | The Making of Peace | ||
Sec. 123 | Liberation of the Hostage | 375 | ||
18 | Sec. 124 | Conduct towards the Middle King | ||
Sec. 125 | Conduct Towards the Neutral King | |||
Sec. 126 | Conduct towards the Circle of Kings | 380 | ||
Book 8 | Concerning the Topic of Calamities | 385-405 | ||
1 | Sec. 127 | Calamities of the Constituent Elements | 385 | |
2 | Sec. 128 | Calamities of the King and Kingship | 390 | |
3 | Sec. 129 | Vices of Man | 393 | |
4 | Sec. 130 | Afflictions | ||
Sec. 131 | Hindrances | |||
Sec. 132 | Stoppages of Payment to the Treasury | 397 | ||
5 | Sec. 133 | Calamities of the Army | ||
Sec. 134 | Calamities of the Ally | 401 | ||
Book 9 | The Activity of the King About to March | 406-432 | ||
1 | Sec. 135 | Relative Strength of Powers, Place and Time | ||
Sec. 136 | Seasons for Marching on an Expedition | 406 | ||
2 | Sec. 137 | Employment of Different Troops | ||
Sec. 138 | Enquipping Troops for War | |||
Sec. 139 | Employing Suitable Troops against Enemy Troops | 409 | ||
3 | Sec. 140 | Revolts in the Rear | ||
Sec. 141 | Measures against Risings by Constituents | 413 | ||
4 | Sec. 142 | Consideration of Losses, Expenses and Gains | 417 | |
5 | Sec. 143 | Dangers from Officers | 420 | |
6 | Sec. 144 | Dangers from Traitors and Enemies | 422 | |
7 | Sec. 145 | Dangers with Advantage, Disadvantage and Uncertainty | ||
Sec. 146 | Overcoming Dangers by Different Means | 427 | ||
Book 10 | Concerning War | 433-453 | ||
1 | Sec. 147 | Setting up of the Camp | 433 | |
2 | Sec. 148 | March from the Camp | ||
Sec. 149 | Guarding Troops during Calamities and at the Time of Attack | 435 | ||
3 | Sec. 150 | Covert Fighting | ||
Sec. 151 | Encouraging the Troops | |||
Sec. 152 | Disposition of Troops | 438 | ||
4 | Sec. 153 | Grounds Suitable for Fighting | ||
Sec. 154 | Functions of Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants | 442 | ||
5 | Sec. 155 | Arrangement of Battle-arrays | ||
Sec. 156 | Distribution of Strong and Weak Troops | |||
Sec. 157 | Modes of Fighting of Infantry, Cavalry, Chariots and Elephants | 445 | ||
6 | Sec. 158 | Staff, Snake, Circle and Diffuse Arrays | ||
Sec. 159 | Counter-arrays against Them | 450 | ||
Book 11 | Policy towards Oligarchies | 454-459 | ||
1 | Sec. 160 | The Policty of Showing Dissensions | ||
Sec. 161 | Forms of Silent Punishment | 454 | ||
Book 12 | Concerning the Weaker King | 460-473 | ||
1 | Sec. 162 | The Mission of the Envoy | 460 | |
2 | Sec. 163 | Fight with the Weapon of Diplomacy | ||
Sec. 164 | Assassination of Army Chiefs | 462 | ||
3 | Sec. 164 | (Continued) | ||
Sec. 165 | Stirring up the Circle of Kings | 465 | ||
4 | Sec. 166 | Secret Use of Weapons, Fire and Poison | ||
Sec. 167 | Destruction of Supplies, Reinforcements and Raids | 467 | ||
5 | Sec. 168 | Overreaching the Enemy by Trickery | ||
Sec. 169 | Overreaching the Force | |||
Sec. 170 | Victory of the Single King | 470 | ||
Book 13 | Means of Taking a Fort | 474-493 | ||
1 | Sec. 171 | Instigation of Sedition | 474 | |
2 | Sec. 172 | Drawing the Enemy out by Means of Stratagems | 477 | |
3 | Sec. 173 | Employment of Secret Agents | 481 | |
4 | Sec. 174 | Laying Siege to a Fort | ||
Sec. 175 | Storming a Fort | 485 | ||
5 | Sec. 176 | Pacification of the Conquered Territory | 491 | |
Book 14 | Concerning Secret Practices | 494-511 | ||
1 | Sec. 177 | Secret Practices for the Destruction of Enemy Troops | 494 | |
2 | Sec. 178 | Deceiving through Occult Practices | 499 | |
3 | Sec. 178 | (Continued) | 508 | |
4 | Sec. 179 | Counter-measures against Injuries to One's Own Troops | 510 | |
Book 15 | The Method of the Science | 512-516 | ||
1 | Sec. 180 | Devices Used in the Science | 512 | |
Index of Principal Topics | 517 |
1. | Arthasastra: Scope and Origin | 1 |
2. | The Kautiliya Arthasastra: Content and Form | 19 |
3. | Sources | 40 |
4. | Author and Date | 59 |
5. | The State in Kautilya | 116 |
6. | Society and Social Life | 143 |
7. | State Economy | 166 |
8. | State Administration | 194 |
9. | Law and Administration of Justice | 215 |
10. | Internal Security | 232 |
11. | Defence and External Affairs | 244 |
12. | Concluding Remarks | 266 |
Bibliography | 285 | |
Word Index | 295 | |
General Index | 297 |
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