Kautilya Flashcards
Arthashastra, one of the greatest treaties on state craft and art of governance was written by whom?
Kautilya
Other names of Kautilya
Chanakya
Vishnu Gupta in about 4th century, BC
Literal meaning of Arthashastra
‘Artha’ literally means the peace of Earth inhibited by men which also represent economic well-being. Thus, Arthshastra is the science of acquiring, maintaining and expanding the ‘Earth’ for economic well-being.
• Arthshastra gave two very important theories in state craft, what are they
First was the theory of seven elements of state that is the Saptanga theory
the second was the theory of circle of kingdom known as the ’Mandla’ Theory of inter-state relations and foreign policy.
7 elements of the state according to sap tanga theory
Seven elements of state are: Swami (King),
Amatyas (Higher Bureaucracy-Ministers),
Janapada (Territory and people),
Durg (Forte),
Kosha (Treasury),
Danda (Force/coercion),
Mitra (Allies).
SAJDKDM
Meaning of the term Matsyanyaya(laws of fish )
The bigger fish eating the smaller fish
In ancient India, who first advocated and prescribe the separation of politics from spirituality
Kautilya
In his Arthashastra
Meaning of the term Vijigishu
King aspiring to conquer the world, that is all the kingdoms in the circle of kings. Anyone among the circle of King can become Vijigishu.
What does ‘Artha’ and dharma represent and which one is more imp according to Kautilya
Artha represents political economy
Dharma frostings spirituality
Artha is more important .
Because dharma is only possible when economic well being that is Artha is secured
How arthashastra made politics autonomous
In the scheme of Arthashastra politics follow its own path and have its own laws & rules which are independent from the rules of religion and conventional morality. The
king can take decisions and actions which may seems to be against the conventional morality to maintain his state. His political decisions and actions, therefore, may be amoral and a-ethical. He may use spies, deceit, breaking his words, double crossing, violence, cruelty, etc to crush his enemies and protect his state.
Politics, in Arthashastra, is guided by the consideration of Interest and relative Power. As per Arthashastra, national interest is supreme, the king can take any action to protect his state. Other consideration for the king is the relative power which is represented by the seven elements of the state-Saptanga. Thus, we can see that Arthashastra made the domain of politics separate and independent from the domain of spirituality & religion. It recommended separate rules and considerations for political decisions.
What is purushartha
the order of 4 goals of life- Dharma, Artha, kama, Moksha- called ‘Purushartha’ in Hinduism.
For the ‘Vijigishu’ only two consideration matter-
national interest and relative power.
According to spatanga theory , the kind should have knowledge of 4 sciences, what’s are they
Anviksiki ( Philosophy),
Treya (3 Vedas),
Varta (Science of Wealth),
Dandaniti (science of governance).
Why is swami or king the most important element of the state
• A strong and able king having other six elements poorly developed can turn around the State into a powerful and strong state.
• On the contrary, a weak and unvirtuous King endowed with well-developed 6 elements will ruin the State.
• Swami is one who acquire or build the state, maintain and expand it.
Duties of the king
• Raksha: to maintain peace, order, dharma, protecting weak from strong, dispense
Justice by just power/force.
• Palana: Economic well-being, livelihood, fulfilled life.
• Yogshema: Social Welfare- care for destitute, orphans, widows, old age, weak.
• Should utilize every bit of his time: daily time table from 1.30 am to 10.30 pm with only 4 hours of sleep.
• King is bound by ‘Rajadharma’, but he can adopt any means to save his state, not bound by conventional morality/ethics.
of the King : Raksha, Palana, Yogshema
• King is the source of rational/positive laws (Raja-Shasna), which gets precedence over Shastra Laws; other sources of laws which King should honour are traditions (Vybhahar), and social customs.
• The King should subordinate his own interests and happiness to the interests and happiness of his subjects.
Virtues and attributes of the swami
• King should be best among all on whom he rules- God like virtues.
• 4 Types of virtues:
• Of inviting nature: which attract people towards him. Handsome, strong, charming, having aura, pleasing personality, etc.
• Of intelligence/intuition: having thorough knowledge of Vedas, Shastra, Smiriti, Nitishastra, and other treaties. Practical knowledge of diplomacy, warfare, statecraft, economics, philosophy, etc.
• Of enthusiasm: should be punctual, enterprising, and strong resolve.
• Of self-restraint: should have self-control over his senses (Jitendriya- winner of senses), should not have lust for worldly pleasures. King must subdue his senses-self, then only can he subdue enemies, and maintain ‘Dharma’ in people.
• Should have highest qualities of leadership, intellect, energy and personal attributes.
• He should be wise, trained in 4 sciences, righteous, truthful, resolute, enthusiastic & disciplined, not breaking his promise, showing gratitude, having lofty aims, being stronger than neighbouring king & having ministers and advisers of high quality. He should be free from vices and should be role model for his subjects.
• He should have Knowledge of 4 Sciences: Anviksiki ( Philosophy), Treya (3 Vedas), Varta (Science of Wealth), Dandaniti (science of governance).
• The aim of all sciences is nothing but restraint of the organ of sense. Hence, the King should be winner of senses, like sage king, like the Philosopher King of Platonic state.
Meaning of the term yogakshema
protection, security and
stability of the State. Yogakshema denotes welfare state and Good Governance. State exists for happiness, well-being, and welfare of the people.
Mnadala
circle of states/kingdoms, also denotes sphere of influence, ambitions, interests, enterprise, alliance, diplomacy.
Madhyama
Powerful Kingdom close to both the Vijigishu and his immediate enemy; capable of helping both kings and resisting either of them individually.
Udasin
Neutral state out of the circle of States of Vijigishu; more powerful than any of the kings in the circle.
Meaning of Ari and parashanigraha
Ari (Enemy-दुश्मन) at front; Parashanigraha (पार्ष्णमग्रह) : enemy at back
Mitra and akranda
Mitra (Friend, Ally, दोस्त) at front; Akranda (आक्रं दा) : friend at back
Parashanigrahasara
Parashanigrahasara (पार्ष्णमग्रह सार): friend of enemy at back
• Akranda sara (आक्रं दा सार):
Friend or enemy at the back
3 types of state power Ac to mnadala theiry
Prabhu Shakti (vision, force, Danda), Mantra Shakti (mission, Intellectual) and Utsah Sahkti (motivation, enthusiasm, enterprise).
How many element of IR and foreign policy are there according to mnadala theory
72 by conducting 3 level of analysis
6 strategies for foreign relations according to mnadal theory
6 Gunas
Sandhi: Treaty, Truce: unequal relation, not between equal. lots of concessions to the strong and lots of restrictions on to the weak.
Vigraha (war, hostility) : suitable when the rival state is vastly inferior in power
Yana(Marching): war preparation, coercive diplomacy : should be adopted when one’s own power is rising vis-à-vis the rival state
ASANA: condition of armed neutrality or holding a post against an enemy.
Samasraya: policy of protection where a stronger state intervenes and shelters a weak state. Stronger state gets lots of concession.
Dvaidibhava: Duplicity, Double Policy: making peace with one and waging war with another
4 methods of foreign policiesaccording to mnadala theory
• Sama : It means a general attitude of friendliness and innocent persuation, the way of polite argument, an approach based on reason and interest.
• Dana : Conciliation by means of material concessions
• Bheda : policy of divide and rule; use of spies, and the lure of money, other incentives
to cause rapture and defection among enemy ranks.
• Danda : Punitive measures, use of force as last resort if diplomacy fails.
Interpretation g the mandala theory
• Premised or based upon natural aspiration of the king/state, natural friend, natural
enemy.
• Doctrine of Mandala: science of enmity, intrigue, espionage, and diplomacy as ‘preparedness of war’
• For Kautilya war is necessary for expansion of state and diplomacy is nothing but preparation for war.
• Ultimate aim: to become king of the World (चक्रवती सम्राट), whose kingdom is spread endlessly in 4 direction (चतुरानंतं), attainment of happiness and welfare of the kingdom- Yogkshema.
• This can be attained only by acquiring power and conquest. And to attain this goal, the king must be prepared to do anything and everything, for nothing is superior to the maintenance and welfare of the state
• Denote Unstable Equilibrium-Very fluid, unstable inter-state relation, no rank ordering, no balance of power.
• Any of the Kings in the system may emerge as the Vijigishu.
Mandala theory
In the context of multiple small states in the 4th century BC in India, the Mandala theory describes circles of State/ Kingdom which are engaged into a tussle to maintain and expand their states. The central Kingdom is termed as Vijigishu who aspire to win over all other Kingdoms in the circle. The theory is based on the premises that geography determines the natural enemy or friend. The kingdoms sharing border are natural enemies. Friend’s friend is friend, whereas friend’s enemy is enemy; also, enemies of enemy are friend. Based upon these premises the Vijigishu find himself surrounded by alternate circles of enemies and friends both at front and at back.
By analysing the 72 elements of three level analysis, the Vijigishu may adopt one out of 6 strategies(Shadguna) and one of the four ways (Chatur Upaya) as part of its foreign policy to win over all other states.
Mandala theory can be said to be a precursor to the modern theory of realism in international relations. Most of the aspects of Kautilyan diplomacy expounded though ‘Mandala theory’- realism, pragmatism – are found in modern day diplomacy in some or the other way. Hence, Kautilya lives through the political actions, strategy, and systems of today’s global politics through his Mandala theory.
Six fold policy of Kautilya
Six fold policy ( Shad Guna) or six measures on diplomacy was strategies of foreign policy based on Mandala theory of Inter-state relation in Kautila’s Arthashastra.
The six policies were: Sandhi (alliance), Bigraha (conflict), Yāna, (March) Āsana (armed neutrality), Dvaidhībhāva ( double policy) and Samśraya ( protection). These policies cover almost all the aspects of foreign policy, which are relevant even today. Combined with theory of Chatur Upayas ( 4 ways)- Sama, Daana, Danda, Bheda- the policy offers the complete range of diplomacy to enforce the king’s hegemony in the Raja Mandala.
Six-fold policy under the Mandala theory given by Kautilya in Arthashastra was comprehensive range of foreign policy and diplomatic strategies to be followed by the king in the context of multiple states in close geographical proximity engaged into tussle of territorial supremacy. The range of the six-fold policy is very broad and relevant in any context. It denotes realism in international politics at its best.
Kautilya’s matasyanyaya
Matsyanyaya denotes state of nature before the state came into existence. Literal meaning of Matsyanyaya is the laws of fishes where it is accepted that bigger fish will eat the smaller one. In social system Matsyanyaya denotes might is right, anarchy, lawlessness where everyone is the judge, jury, and executioner in one’s own cases and cases of others.
Of course Matsyanyaya would have made life miserable for people. They were not able to have a peaceful family life and enjoy private property. State arose to end Matsyanyaya,to restore peace and order. Such feature of the state of nature has been the common theme among all the political thinkers. Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau who propounded social contract theory of origin of state described state of nature similar to what Matsyanyaya denotes. We can say that the concept of Matsyanyaya in Kautilya’s Arthashastra is a universal concept to denote the state of nature before the state originated.
Kautilya, from the mouth of one spy in Arthashtra, describes Matsyanyaya, its causes, and fall out. It was part of the Arthashastra giving a kind of theory of origin of state. In due course of time Matsyanyaya prevailed. This is because of inherent weaknesses in human nature- lust, greed, striving for power/domination, ego, selfishness. There were lawlessness, chaos, and anarchy. People tired of Matasyanyay approached Manu to lead them as King, establish peace, order, and Dharma. For this, they agreed to give 1/6th of their grain and 1/10th of their profit from trade/business. Thus, State originated as punitive institution to maintain peace, order, and welfare of the people. State was allowed combined force of the society. Thus, it had monopoly of use of force/coercion to maintain peace and order.
Who was the teacher and mentor of Chandragupta Maurya?
Kautilya
Who discovered the manuscript of arthashastra?
R Shamasastry in Mysore Oriental library in 1909
What does arthashastra contain?
Contains state craft,
science of politics,
political economy,
social norms and customs,
civil and criminal Law,
Justice system, inter State politics
, war fare,
criminology,
intelligence and
espionage.
Circle of kings according to mandala theory
5 in front - ari, Mitra , ari mitra, Mitra Mitra , ari Mitra Mitra
4 in back side- parashanigraha,enemy at back , akranda - friend at back, parashanigraha dar- friend of enemy at back , ari mitra , akranda sara , Mitra mitra
