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Chanakya (c.350 - c.275 BC) also known as 'Kautilya' or 'Vishnugupta' is one of the earliest known political thinkers, economists and king-makers in the literal sense of the word. He is less well know than later arrivals like Sun-Tzu and Machiavelli.
It is said that his foresight and wide knowledge coupled with politics of expediency helped found the mighty Mauryan Empire in India.
Three books are attributed to him 'Arthashastra', 'Nitishastra' and 'Chanakyaniti'.
Origins
Chanakya is described as the son of Acharya (Indian teacher) Chanak. At an early age, he is supposed to have begun study of the Vedas, then considered the toughest scriptures to study and memorise. He was born in Magadha (then the center of Nanda empire). After his father was accused as a traitor and killed in the prison, Chanakya left Magadha vowing never to come back. He later came back to ask for help against the Greek invasion but was humiliated and sent back. He then vowed to cause the downfall of Magadha empire.
Takshasilâ
Chanakya enjoyed the best education at the time, in 'Takshasilâ' (also known in its corrupted form as 'Taxila'). The University taught subjects using the best of practical knowledge acquired by the teachers. The age of entering the University was sixteen. The branches of studies most sought after in around India ranged from law, medicine, warfare and other indigenous forms of learning. In the present day world, Taxila is situated in Pakistan, near Rawalpindi. Chanakya eventually became a professor at the University. Two of his more famous students were Bhadrabhatt and Purushdutt.
Political turmoil in Western India at that time forced Chanakya to leave the University environment for the city of 'Patliputra' (presently known as Patna, in the state of Bihar, India).
Patliputra
Also known by other names like Pushpapur, Pushpanagar, Patliputra and Patna, this was a famous and prosperous city. The Chinese traveller Fa-Hian visited the city in 399 BC, as did another fellow traveller Xuanzang in 629 BC(also spelt as Hieun-Tsang).
Dhanananda (literally 'the enjoyer of wealth' in Sanskrit) was the ruler of the City. Although Chanakya initially prospered in his relations with the ruler, being a blunt person he was soon disliked by the Dhanananda. This ended with Chanakya being removed from an official position he enjoyed.
Introduction to Chandragupta
Folklore has it that on his way out of the city after his removal, Chanakya was hurt by a thorny bush. He then bought a pot of milk and poured on the bush so that ants could come and destroy the bush. It is said that at this moment he was observed by a young Chandragupta Maurya, the future Emperor and creator of the Mauryan Empire. Chanakya's patience, determination and single-minded focus is what attracted him.
Chanakya took a promising young boy of ten from the streets and brought him up to become one of the greatest emperors of India. Chanakya is also supposed to have induced Amatya Rakshasa from the enemy camp to serve as Chandragupta's Prime minister.
Probably the most accurate description of Chanakya can be found in Nehru's words in the Discovery of India. Chanakya has been called the Indian Machiavelli and to some extent the comparison is justified. A picture of him emerges from an old Indian (Sanskrit) play Mudra Rakshasa (Rakshasa's Ring) which deals with this period. Simple and austere in life, uninterested in pomp and pageantry of high position, when he had accomplished his purpose, he wanted to retire, brahminlike, to a life of contemplation.
Chanakya's Arthashastra (literally 'the Science of Material Gain' in Sanskrit) is a classic of statecraft. Many of his nitis or policies have been compiled under the book Chanakya Niti.
According to Professor Roger Boesche:
- "To return to Machiavelli's after reading the military writings of Kautilya is jolting. It becomes readily apparent that Machiavelli is not even trying to tell us something new about warfare, because he believed the ancient Greeks and Romans knew it all - aside from such things as artillery...
- "They (Kautilya and Sun Tzu) were also prepared to win in ways Machiavelli would regard as dishonourable and disgraceful-assassination, disinformation, causing quarrels between ministers by bribes or by means of jealousy over a beautiful woman planted as a secret agent, and so on. Machiavelli - who offers no systematic discussion of even guerrilla warfare - would have been easily outmatched by generals reading either Sun Tzu or Kautilya."
The Legend Of Chanakya
Legend has it that Chanakya was insulted by the Nanda rulers, and vowed to destroy their kingdom. Travelling through the forest, he came across a boy who had regal bearings, and obvious leadership qualities. Chanakya picked him up and trained him to be Chandragupta Maurya.
It is also told that once, the thorns of a bush hurt Chankya's feet while he was passing through a forest. The Wily Brahmin was cut to the quick, and wanted revenge. He got his revenge by pouring sugar syrup into the roots of the bush, thus ensuring that the ants eat up the root and destroy the bush.
See also
- P. V. Narasimha Rao who is often nicknamed Chanakya
External link
Additional Reading
- Wriggins, Sally Hovey, Xuanzang: A Buddhist Pilgrim on the Silk Road (1996), Westview Press, ISBN 0813334071
- Rangarajan, L.N, Arthashastra by Kautilya (1992), Penguin Books India, ISBN 0140446036
- Subramanian, V.K, Maxims of Chanakya, New Delhi, Abhinav Press, ISBN 8170171091