Arthashastra

Arthashastra is an ancient Indian Sanskrit book on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. Since the book relates to a broad scope of topics, it can be viewed as a complete manual on building a state based on Hindu philosophy. The name of the book is translated as 'the science of wealth.' The book includes chapters on the nature of government, law, civil and criminal court systems, ethics, economics, markets, and trade, the methods for screening ministers, diplomacy, theories on war, nature of peace, and the duties and obligations of a king.The book possesses giant educational value and remainsever topical. Although it was created more than two millennia ago, it gives instructions that can be helpful today. For example, the author recommends lifting taxes on the areas devastated by natural phenomena or epidemics, helping to rebuild the areas which suffered and fortify major strategic towns.

Chanakya was an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, teacher, jurist, and royal advisor. He is also known as Kau?ilya or Vishnugupta, famous as the author of the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra,dated to roughly between the 4th century BCE and the 3rd century CE. Also, he is considered the pioneer of the field of political science and economics in India, and his work is thought of as an important precursor to classical economics.Many of his works were lost near the end of the Gupta Empire in the 6th century CE and rediscovered only in the early 20th century.