# ARTHASHASTRA

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/chanakya/arthashastra

![ARTHASHASTRA](https://quivercdn.com/covers/india-allen-lane/kautilya/arthashastra_978-06-7008-527-9.jpg?v=2026-08-04%2005%3A20%3A14)

- Authors: [Kautilya](https://www.bookquiver.com/chanakya)
- Language: en_IN
- Published: 2000-10-01

## Description

An extraordinary detailed manual on statecraft and the science of living by one of classical India’s greatest minds; Kautilya; also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta; wrote the Arthashastra not later than 150 AD though the date has not been conclusively established. Legend has it that he was either a Brahmin from Kerala or from north India; however; it is certain that Kautilya was the man who destroyed the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya as the King of Magadha. A master strategist who was well-versed in the Vedas and adept at creating intrigues and devising political stratagems; Kautilya’s genius is reflected in his Arthashastra which is the most comprehensive treatise of statecraft of classical times. The text contains fifteen books which cover numerous topics viz.; the King; a complete code of law; foreign policy; secret and occult practices and so on. The Arthashastra is written mainly in prose but also incorporates 380 shlokas. Artha; literally wealth; is one of four supreme aims prescribed by Hindu tradition. However; it has a much wider significance and the material well-being of individuals is just a part of it. In accordance with this; Kautilya’s Arthashastra maintains that the state or government of a country has a vital role to play in maintaining the material status of both the nation and its people. Therefore; a significant part of the Arthashastra has to do with the science of economics. When it deals with the science of politics; the Arthashastra describes in detail the art of government in its widest sense-the maintenance of law and order as also of an efficient administrative machinery.

## Editions

### Arthashastra

- Publisher: fingerprint
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-93-7089-716-8
- Published: 2026-10-13
- Language: en_US

### Arthashastra

- Publisher: fingerprint
- Medium: ebook
- ISBN: 978-93-5856-269-9
- Published: 2023-05-20
- Language: en_US

### Arthashastra

- Publisher: fingerprint
- ISBN: 978-93-5440-370-5
- Pages: 496
- Published: 2021-10-01
- Language: en_US

### Arthashastra

- Publisher: india_allen_lane
- ISBN: 978-06-7008-527-9
- Pages: 208
- Published: 2012-01-01
- Language: en_IN

### ARTHASHASTRA

- Publisher: india_penguin_classics
- ISBN: 978-01-4044-603-6
- Pages: 832
- Published: 2000-10-01
- Language: en_IN