Vishnugupta (Kautilya)

Vishnugupta, known as Kautilya or Chanakya, was an ancient Indian statesman and thinker who lived around 300 BCE. He played a key role in founding and strengthening the Maurya Empire under Chandragupta Maurya, using strategic political and military tactics. Kautilya is best known for authoring the *Arthashastra*, an influential treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy. His ideas emphasized careful planning, diplomacy, and sometimes cunning tactics to maintain power and stability. Kautilya’s work remains a significant source of political wisdom and governance principles, reflecting his mastery in statecraft and strategic thinking.