Studies in the Kautilya

Summary

This scholarly article delves into select aspects of Kautilya’s Arthaśāstra, a seminal treatise on statecraft. Focusing on economic administration, the author analyses passages dealing with taxation, trade regulation and royal monopolies. He discusses Kautilya’s classification of land revenue based on soil fertility and irrigation, noting parallels with later agrarian practices. The article also examines the organisation of markets and guilds, including penalties for fraudulent traders and measures to stabilise prices. Another section explores Kautilya’s recommendations for state monopolies on mines, salt, liquor and textiles, interpreting them as strategies to increase royal revenue while ensuring quality. The essay highlights Kautilya’s pragmatic approach to foreign policy, summarising his famous sixfold theory of diplomacy and the concept of the ‘circle of kings’. The author situates the Arthaśāstra within its historical context, suggesting it reflects Maurya governance but incorporates older traditions. He acknowledges debates over the text’s date and authorship but argues that regardless of its compilation history, it provides invaluable insights into ancient Indian economic and political thought. Through close reading and comparative analysis, the article demonstrates the relevance of Kautilya’s ideas for understanding the institutional foundations of early empires.