Arthashastra (Kautilya)

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian text attributed to Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, who was an advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya in the 4th century BCE. It serves as a comprehensive guide on statecraft, economics, military strategy, and political governance. Kautilya emphasizes realpolitik, advocating for pragmatic and sometimes ruthless methods to achieve political power and stability. The text covers various topics, including diplomacy, espionage, taxation, and law, making it a seminal work in political theory and strategy that remains relevant in contemporary discussions of governance and power dynamics.