Chanakya: The famous master of statescraft in ancient India
Chanakya, also known as “Kautilya”, who is believed to have lived in the 4th century BCE, is a towering figure in Hindu history. His name is synonymous with shrewdness, success, politics and empire building. He was the mind behind the formation of the Mauryan Empire. It is universally acknowledged that the success of Chandragupta Maurya, a boy from humble origins, in founding the Maurya Empire “was due as much to his own military genius, as to the statesmanship of his Prime Minister Kautilya” (R. C Majumdar, Ancient India).
November 20th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
If possible, you should include names of books about the character in your articles, so we know where to get more detailed story, history, discussion of the topic.
I would love to get an ‘authentic’ book on chanakya, but I dont know where to find one, or which one is more authentic.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:03 am
Kautilya’s Arthasastra is available from the Amazon.co.uk; cost is about 12 pounds.
November 21st, 2006 at 10:05 am
Modern Accounting Concepts in Kautilya’s Arthasastra/Anjan Kumar Bhattacharyya. Calcutta, Firma KLM, 1989, xvi, 144 p., $11.
Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Importance and practice of trade and commerce. 2. Accounting concepts. 3. Design of accounts. 4. Cattle rearing and cattle accounting or, farm accounting. 5. Village administration and accounting (statistical). 6. The concept of costing. 7. Concept of audit. 8. Conclusion. Appendices. Bibliography.
“The Arthasastra of Kautilya is a practical compendium of state-craft based upon all the ancient contributions on the subject not forgetting the special requirements of the Morian epoch in particular. Naturally, trade, commerce and industry formed an important item in this work. Since its publication during the early years of this century, its diverse aspects have engaged the attention of modern scholars and the results of their studies have been published in the form of independent books and articles.
“Prof. Bhattacharyya has …instituted a thorough comparison between the ancient theories with those of the modern epoch and has arrived at sound conclusions that concepts of income, expenditure, capital and auditing, generally known to be of modern western origin, have been traced in Kautilya’s work. This is no mean achievement on the part of the young scholar who has inherited a love for ancient wisdom from his forefathers and has imbibed a modern critical outlook through his University education—a rare combination indeed. His subsequent studies and researches, no doubt, have enriched his insight and knowledge to a great extent.
November 25th, 2006 at 1:53 am
Is Drona Acharya, Kautilya?
November 27th, 2006 at 8:03 am
No, Kautilya was in 3rd century BC, Dronacharya was in possibly 3700BC.
November 27th, 2006 at 4:11 pm
Is there carbon dating D Acharya circa 3,700BC or any timeline?
November 28th, 2006 at 6:42 am
There are two estimates about the year the war in Kurukhrestra took place considering the position of the stars mentioned in The Mahabharata.
According to Arya Vatta, the war took place in the year 330BC ( about).
The revised estimate by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in his book Krishna Charita is about 3700BC.
Carbon dating is not possible until the Government of India dig up the ground at least 30 metre; possibly then we can have some relics or artifacts from that period.
The age of the ruins of Dwarka, discovereed recently under the sea, is about 4000BC; which correspond to the estimate of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
November 28th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Admin message - deleted due to excessive length
November 28th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
Dear Sir,
A very recent publication is by Mr. L.N. Rangarajan a very senior retired diplomat from India. It is published by Penguin books and may cost about 5BP. Check it out. It is very lucidily written and very interesting.
Wish you great reading.
November 29th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
There is also a Chanakya series which was aired on British television about 6-7 years back. It is now possible to buy on DVD. It is directed by Dr Chandraprakash Dwivedi and is titled Chanakya.
I was personally very inspired after watching this and you are guarenteed to be kept on the edge of your seat due to the suspense and the way the story unfolds.
Definatly worth the buy.