Kautilya’s
Arthashastra, compiled around 300 BCE is a world-renowned treatise on
statecraft, which is considered relevant to this day.
My latest book The
Arthashastra for Children, published by Puffin Books is
an adapted and abridged version of the original and aims to introduce young
readers to this heritage work while providing essential insights into the
working of the government machinery. After sharing the dramatic story of its
rediscovery by Rudrapatna Shamasastry in Mysore in 1904, it provides a brief
introduction to the work, its contemporary relevance and its author Kautilya/Chanakya.
Subsequently, it covers all the salient topics from the original work—the duties and
objectives of the ruler, well-organized state, benefits of a sound economy,
raising revenue, public administration, judicial system, the intelligence
network and foreign policy.
Kautilya’s theories are presented in language that is accessible to young readers and
subjects that would interest them have been covered. To clarify difficult concepts, examples from world history and contemporary geopolitics have been cited. The process of selection of the king’s councilors is compared with the contemporary protocol for appointing ministers. The duties of the citizens in maintaining public hygiene are paralleled with the Swachcha Bharata Mission.
Kautilya’s famous
concepts like the mandala theory, sixfold theory of foreign policy and the
doctrine of sama, dana, danda, bheda are also
explained.
A list of classic
works on statecraft from all over the world is included at the end of the book,
with brief descriptions of their authors and contents for further information.
The text is also supported with beautiful illustrations by the talented Radhika Dinesh.
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