ANTIQUITY OF ARTHASHASTRA

ABSTRACT

Kautilya, also known as Chankya, was believed to be the chief minister in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, a contemporary of Alexander and the first great emperor of India who ruled the subcontinent in the 4th Century BC. It identifies its author by the names "Kauṭilya" and "Vishnugupta" (Viṣṇugupta), both names that are traditionally identified with Chanakya (Cāṇakya). He is considered the author of the Arthashastra, meaning a text on wealth. Historically, the Kautilya’s work carries a great significance. The book was discovered by Shamasastri in 1909 who also translated and introduced it to the public. There is a controversy regarding the date of Arthashastra. Shamsastri, V.A. Smith & others believed that it was written by Chanakya, the Minister of Chandragupta Maurya. Others such as Dr. Bhandarkar believed that it was written much later during the early Christian era. Dr. Jolly believed that the work was originally based on Yajnavalkya Sutras which was composed during the third century A.D. However many Indian scholars believe that the work belongs to fourth century B.C., and it was indeed composed by Kautilya only, whose name is well-known in Indian tradition as the minister and confidant who helped Chandragupta Maurya to capture the empire from the Nandas.

 

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