Chanakya’s Arthashastra: Its Cultural and Political Relevance for the Present Time
Dr. Kalyani Samantray
Retired Professor, Department of English, Utkal University, Odisha, India
E-mail: k25samantray@gmail.com
Published online: 13th February, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52756/rpktbc.2025.e01.003
Keywords: Arthashastra, culture in ancient India, Chanakya’s statecraft and diplomacy, sustainable governance
Abstract:
The Arthashastra is a seminal treatise by Chanakya, an ancient Indian scholar and advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. The discourse in this book is multidimensional that covers the complex culture of the time, Chanakya’s political theories, administrative and economic strategies with moral and ethical underpinnings. This article explores two aspects of the Arthashastra, the cultural and the political. The study demonstrates how Chanakya’s insights continue to hold relevance in modern times.
References:
- Altekar, A. S. (2015). State and Governance in Ancient India. Motilal Benarasidass.
- Dreikmeier, C. (1962). Kingship and Community in Early India. Stanford University Press.
- Kangle, R.P. (1972). The Kautiliya Arthasastra. Print Books.
- McClish, M. R. (2009). Political Brahmanism and the state: a compositional history of the Arthaśāstra. Texas ScholarWorks, University of Texas at Austin.
- Oliviell, P. (2016). King, Governance and Law in Ancient India: Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Oxford University Press.
- Shamasastry, R. (1951). Arthasastra of Chanakya (translated: 1915). Mysore Press.
- Sinha, B. P. (1976). Readings in Kautilya’s Arthashastra. Delhi Agam Prakashan. Trautmann, R.T. (2016). Arthashastra: the Science of Wealth. Penguin Portfolio
Get PDF
How to Cite
Dr. Kalyani Samantaroy (2025). Chanakya’s Arthashastra: Its Cultural and Political Relevance for the Present Time. © International Academic Publishing House (IAPH), Dr. Rajiba lochan Mahapatra, Dr. Arpan Das and Dr. Somnath Das (eds.), Revisiting the past knowledge tradition of Bharat: A critique (Volume-1), pp. 31-37. ISBN: 978-81-978955-6-2
doi: https://doi.org/10.52756/rpktbc.2025.e01.003
SHARE WITH EVERYONE