• Nagappa Gowda K

Arthashastras were ancient genre of Sanskrit texts pertaining to state administration, and were primarily product of the kshatriya traditions. Artha or wealth is the subject matter of all Arthashastras. It has been argued that since the Vedic period, a large number of aphoristic or sutra-formatted and prose styled Arthashastras were produced in ancient India, but a major portion of them have become either extant today or available only in fragments. Even among the survived texts, many are incomplete or ending abruptly, giving space for the readers to surmise their purport, or to read meanings into them the way they wished. This is also true with regard to one of the famous Arthashastras conjectured to be written by Kautilya. This survived text of Arthashastra roughly deals with one hundred eighty subjects- from elements of sovereignty to international theory of rajmandala, and from legal apparatus to science and morality. Like Dharmashastras, Kautilya’s Arthashastra is concerned more with what ought to be done rather than reflecting on the actual state of affairs. It is more like the political guide and manual on state-craft or governance. However, it is quite difficult to establish the historicity of the text or the author; or to claim if he was historical person, as no authentic historical testimonies are available to prove such exercises.

Takshashila, chaturvargas, Dandaniti, danda, Nitisara, adhikaranas, dharma, artha, kama, moksha, Maurya, Dharmashastras, Chandragupta, Sanskrit, Vishnugupta, Chanakya

"Arthashastra of Kautilya: A Textual Survey", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 6, page no.161-167, November-2014, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701C74.pdf

"Arthashastra of Kautilya: A Textual Survey", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.1, Issue 6, page no. pp161-167, November-2014, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701C74.pdf