Chanakya (Kautilya): Biography, Diplomacy and Full Summary
Date: 14 May, 2020
By: Dharmendra Yadav
By: Dharmendra Yadav
Introduction to Chanakya
Originally his name was Chanakya or Vishnu Gupta but he is very famous for his pen name Kautilya. He was a jurist, philosopher; royal advisor. He authored a book named as Arthashastra (Science of Politics and Economics) a text roughly written between 2nd century BCE and 3rd century CE. He has authored on several things like ethics and statecraft. He has worked under famous Mauryan emperor Chandragupta, as his political advisor and given many credentials in the expansion of state and later he becomes an advisor to Bindusara, Chandragupta’s son.
Basically, Indian philosophy is based on four components, Dharma ( duty), Artha (material), Kama (sensual enjoyment by art, culture) and finally Moksha (emancipation) and all those were originated by Dharmashastra, set of rules decided by the religion. All four are interlinked to each other, no one can surpass any of it to get emancipation, all have to follow what is mentioned in the Dharmashastra and Danda (punishment) added into it for the smooth running of the society and to maintain Justice.
According to Chanakya, Arthashastra is the key for Prince in the smooth running of state affairs and economy of the state as he reads,
“This Arthashastra is made up as a compendium of almost all Arthashastras, which, in view of acquisition and maintenance of the earth, have been composed by ancient teachers”.
~ Chanakya
Chanakya [Source: Wikipedia]
Chanakya and Origin of state
According to western philosophers, state originated through the social contract, human give their authority to the state. Hence it leads to political obligation where all citizens were expected to obey the rules and laws of the state as people were protected by the state since they were paying taxes. But Chanakya emphasized on before the emergence of state there was the situation of ‘anarchy, prevailing in which weaker section of the society humiliated, killed, tortured by powerful, and known as Matsanyaya. Chanakya more emphasizes on religion as the source of power to King (sovereign).
Chanakya’s political thought on state revolve around Idea of kingship, as it was very frequent in the Indian subcontinent he was in full support of monarchy and only monarchy can bring justice, happiness, just form of society and end of Matsanyaya. Women were most vulnerable according to him so they required more protection under the King.
Chanakya says King must protect his subjects in the situation of fire, flood, epidemic, famine, rats, snakes, tigers and evil spirits. He was in total support of the spies, with their help criminals can be identified which were huddle in running of the state.
Kings must protect its subject from three ways - :
1. Protection from outsiders or maybe external enemies, encroacher.
2. Maintaining internal security, peace and harmony.
3. Protection of its subject from natural hazard or calamities.
Kings must protect its subject from three ways - :
1. Protection from outsiders or maybe external enemies, encroacher.
2. Maintaining internal security, peace and harmony.
3. Protection of its subject from natural hazard or calamities.
A Prince must not indulge in bodily pleasure and worldly possession he should have proper knowledge of art and warfare and good control on administration he should always follow the path of righteousness. When relations and duties are respected between husband and wife, father and son, brother and sister, teacher and students then it’s a good sign of internal peace and dharma. He focuses on special attention of state towards destitute, pregnant women, newly born, orphans and senior citizen.
Everything must be controlled under state like prostitutes, liquors shop, sale of meat, trade on occupations; the profession of individuals must be respected by all.
Everything must be controlled under state like prostitutes, liquors shop, sale of meat, trade on occupations; the profession of individuals must be respected by all.
Chanakya and organs of state
According to Chanakya, there are seven organs of the state (Saptanga). They help in the running of state for the betterment of its subjects and bring Peace and Justice. According to him, they are like bodily Organs, eyes, ears, nose, hand etc. If anyone organ stops functioning, the person may be crippled or blind. Same with state mechanism all Organs needs to be at working condition if some fault occurs it may lead to malfunctioning of a state system.
Following are the 7 organs of the State by Chanakya:
1. Swami or king, who is responsible for the smooth running of the state, bringing peace, justice and good health to its citizens, he must be educated and well – learned.
2. Amatya or ministers, who represent the different departments and they are under a king, they are just accountable to King in contemporary we can relate them to different ministries like defence, home, education etc.
3. Janapada or population, it is territory and the subjects residing in it, whatever the demand of subjects have it will be brought into the knowledge of prince who is head of all affairs.
4. Durga or the fort, according to Chanakya fort is a must for the King. It has strategic importance and will protect the subject from external forces, invaders or encroachers. Fort should be built on hills or mountains, or between the deserts or big water bodies. In this army was the main protector who has special status and respect in society, King must provide them with arms and weapons so that they can fight with outside forces.
1. Swami or king, who is responsible for the smooth running of the state, bringing peace, justice and good health to its citizens, he must be educated and well – learned.
2. Amatya or ministers, who represent the different departments and they are under a king, they are just accountable to King in contemporary we can relate them to different ministries like defence, home, education etc.
3. Janapada or population, it is territory and the subjects residing in it, whatever the demand of subjects have it will be brought into the knowledge of prince who is head of all affairs.
4. Durga or the fort, according to Chanakya fort is a must for the King. It has strategic importance and will protect the subject from external forces, invaders or encroachers. Fort should be built on hills or mountains, or between the deserts or big water bodies. In this army was the main protector who has special status and respect in society, King must provide them with arms and weapons so that they can fight with outside forces.
5. Kosha or treasure, this is the national money collected through taxes, they are used for paying salary to an employee under the king. Some amount is also reserve for the crisis in the form of gold and gems. King may plunder its neighbouring state to increase his treasure of the kingdom.
6. Danda or punishment, according to Chanakya (Kautilya) there are different types of punishment. It depends on the crime committed by the subjects. The punishment was very important to maintain harmony in the society, the subject had an obligation to obey rules, otherwise punishment.
7. Mitra, neighbouring state orally, allies were the most important according to him who helps during crisis time and also they help militarily in conquering another state which may be nearer or far, King must respect his Mitra in order to seek help. Ram Saran Sharma quotes, “Kautilya furnishes us as a full and complete definition of the state as was possible in the ancient times. Greek thinkers hardly discuss the constituent elements of the state.”
6. Danda or punishment, according to Chanakya (Kautilya) there are different types of punishment. It depends on the crime committed by the subjects. The punishment was very important to maintain harmony in the society, the subject had an obligation to obey rules, otherwise punishment.
7. Mitra, neighbouring state orally, allies were the most important according to him who helps during crisis time and also they help militarily in conquering another state which may be nearer or far, King must respect his Mitra in order to seek help. Ram Saran Sharma quotes, “Kautilya furnishes us as a full and complete definition of the state as was possible in the ancient times. Greek thinkers hardly discuss the constituent elements of the state.”
Statecraft and Diplomacy by Chanakya
Statecraft and Diplomacy were the basic element of his political thought on the state. Kautilya behaves like realist in his theory on statecraft and Diplomacy accumulation of power is clearly reflected and it can achieve through skill and learned people. He was expansionist and expects King or ruler to annex a weaker state to increase geographical and political boundary. The powerful states always look to conquer weaker ones to resolve the problem.
Chanakya has explained four ways for reconciliation –
1. Sama or conciliation – in this policy of the weaker state has to be defensive as it cannot defeat the powerful state, through negotiation and treaties war can be ignored.
2. Dana or gift- This policy is very helpful for weaker state to plead a powerful state by giving him a donation in the form of wealth or some parts of its own territory.
3. Danda or aggression –This directly involves in annexing of weaker states in the battlefield and weaker has to pay a ransom in return of defeat.
4. Bheda or sowing the seeds of Discord –Kautilya explained it as a ‘Divide and Rule’ in which two powerful states use their full strength to destroy each other as they can’t afford a war, the spies play an important role to destroy each other as an enemy.
1. Sama or conciliation – in this policy of the weaker state has to be defensive as it cannot defeat the powerful state, through negotiation and treaties war can be ignored.
2. Dana or gift- This policy is very helpful for weaker state to plead a powerful state by giving him a donation in the form of wealth or some parts of its own territory.
3. Danda or aggression –This directly involves in annexing of weaker states in the battlefield and weaker has to pay a ransom in return of defeat.
4. Bheda or sowing the seeds of Discord –Kautilya explained it as a ‘Divide and Rule’ in which two powerful states use their full strength to destroy each other as they can’t afford a war, the spies play an important role to destroy each other as an enemy.
Chanakya’s Dandaniti
The science of Dandaniti in Arthashastra is among the important chunk which dealt with civil and criminal laws to bring law and justice in the society. He says the importance of Dandaniti is to bring justice and control unwanted and disturbing elements of society which can create chaos and ruckus. There are different set up of punishment given according to crime done which he took from Manusmriti and Mahabharata. The punishment was very rigorous for lower strata of the society and hardly any punishment for Brahmins so-called pious. His system of punishment is highly contested which is based on discrimination on the basis of lower and upper castes. According to Chanakya system of punishment is a must for any of the society, otherwise, it may lead mayhem, hence ‘Anarchy’. There should be fear in subjects of Danda which could lead to an existing good and just society; a system of punishment is must for a stable society.
Chanakya has explained three types of war-
1. Open war in which armies of both states fight with each other at one place, this is highly destructible.
2. Concealed war in this army attack from the back known as guerilla warfare, the army of another state is not prepared for it. This was very common in ancient times.
3. Silent War, this is war played in the background without the use of an army, example cold war between the USA and erstwhile USSR.
1. Open war in which armies of both states fight with each other at one place, this is highly destructible.
2. Concealed war in this army attack from the back known as guerilla warfare, the army of another state is not prepared for it. This was very common in ancient times.
3. Silent War, this is war played in the background without the use of an army, example cold war between the USA and erstwhile USSR.
Chanakya’s Idea on Foreign Policy: Chanakya Niti
The focus of Chanakya’s Arthashashtra is acquiring land. According to Chanakya, King should aspire to become Chakravartin Samrat. He calls King as Vijigishu which means one who aspires for victory. He says that war is Ksahtriya’s Dharma. After coronation king must start expansion.
Shadgunya Niti (Sixfold Policy) by Chanakya
He gave 6 Policies to be followed by the Kings:
1. Sandhi which means Treaty. It is a good way to maintain peace among the King who is equally powerful.
2. Vigraha means to break the Treat. This is to be used once the King becomes more powerful than the opposite King.
3. Aasan means Stationing of troops near the territory of the Enemy.
4. Yana means mobilization of forces and practice of various military exercises.
5. Samashrya means joining hands with the kings who have got similar objectives.
6. Dvaidbhava means the dual policy must be adopted at appropriate times.
He gave 6 Policies to be followed by the Kings:
1. Sandhi which means Treaty. It is a good way to maintain peace among the King who is equally powerful.
2. Vigraha means to break the Treat. This is to be used once the King becomes more powerful than the opposite King.
3. Aasan means Stationing of troops near the territory of the Enemy.
4. Yana means mobilization of forces and practice of various military exercises.
5. Samashrya means joining hands with the kings who have got similar objectives.
6. Dvaidbhava means the dual policy must be adopted at appropriate times.
What is Mandal Siddhant of Chanakya?
Chanakya’s Mandal Siddhant is a theory of Geo Strategy. It tells us about the strategy of the wars. This is also famously known as Chanakya Niti. Mandal is made up of 12 Kings. 12 Kings multiplied by 7 elements of sovereignty means 84 elements. A king must take 84 elements into consideration before starting the war.
Mandal Siddhant is India’s contribution to the discipline of Geopolitics. It is the Indian version of Balance of Power. Chanakya’s Mandal Siddhant is having relevance in South Asian Countries today.
Chanakya on Corruption
Chanakya believed that Corruption is responsible for internally weakening of a state. This also impacts the morale of the common people. Chanakya gave various ways to deal with the menace of Corruption:
1. Right-sizing of the Bureaucracy.
2. Transfers at regular intervals before a person understands the loopholes of his office.
3. He wanted Kings to grant protection to the Whistleblowers and reward them too.
4. He insisted on Public humiliation along with fine and punishment for the corrupt officials.
5. Compensation to the person whose interest is impacted because of corrupt officials.
6. He asked for punishment of the entire chain of the system that is corrupt.
7. He also suggested to the reward honest officials and strengthening of surveillance mechanism.
1. Right-sizing of the Bureaucracy.
2. Transfers at regular intervals before a person understands the loopholes of his office.
3. He wanted Kings to grant protection to the Whistleblowers and reward them too.
4. He insisted on Public humiliation along with fine and punishment for the corrupt officials.
5. Compensation to the person whose interest is impacted because of corrupt officials.
6. He asked for punishment of the entire chain of the system that is corrupt.
7. He also suggested to the reward honest officials and strengthening of surveillance mechanism.
Conclusion on Chanakya
The idea of Chanakya (Kautilya) is very much relevant in contemporary politics where each state is looking to assert their power in a different way. All the modern states are giving tough competition to each other. But the problem could be solved by Diplomacy which is propounded by Chanakya. Some of his ideas were very much contested like a system of punishment which was discriminatory. But the idea of Chanakya remained as an influence on the nature of India and how it solves its own problem with the neighbouring countries. Chanakya state is the most important and legitimate instrument which enjoys sovereignty. The responsibility of the King is to guard his subjects and ensure their protection and survival.
