Vishnu Gupt
A pioneer of political science in India, Chanakya, also known as Vishnugupta or Kautilya was an epoch-making personality. A Brahmin by birth, Chanakya lived during the period of 350-275 B.C. The details of Chanakya’s early life is convoluted, however it is believed that he received his education in Taxila (now in Pakistan) and he was known to have had the knowledge of medicine and astrology. It is also believed that he was familiar with elements of Greek and Persian learning introduced to Indians by Zoroastrians. Chanakya became acounselor and advisor to the great Chandragupta Maurya and played a vital role in the emergence of the mauryan Empire. He was instrumental in assisting Chandragupta overthrow the powerful Nanda dynasty in Pataliputra, in the Magadha region. Chanakya’s writing in the form of ‘Arthshastra’ and Chanakya niti’ served as the guiding light for the young Chandragupta to rule the kingdom effectively. Chanakya’s Arthshastra is divided into fifteen books on different topics like administration, Law and order, Taxation, revenue, expenditure, foreign policy, and defense and war. By imparting knowledge on these crucial elements, Chanakya paved the way for his disciple to become a great ruler. Chanakya wrote at a time in Indian history when India was emerging out of ‘Dark Age’. The old values were losing its relevance and the new value systems were yet to be established. It was an age where ‘The Dharma’ so far a guiding and uniting force, was being subjected to contradictory interpretations. This prevailing confusing in the society gave an edge to the enemies to invade the Indian borders. However, ironically, it was this sense of confusion which expedited the emergence of a new system in India which was in essence spearheaded by Chanakya. Chanakya was a torch-bearer in the ancient India who nurtured a sense of nationalism and redefined the notion of allegiance for everyone. Chanakya inculcated in the minds of the people that they owed their primary allegiance to the Rajya (State of Nation) and not to the Dharma. Chanakya’s two seminal books, the ‘Arthshastra’ and ‘chanakya Niti’ were known as the guiding beacons which enlighten people about this new way of life. It is through his influential work that Chanakya was able to carve out a massive Empire for his disciple Chandragupta and was also able to generate an awareness in the masses that they began to talk about ‘Nation’ instead of a ‘State’. Chanakya is certainly among those thinkers whose greatness enhances with the passage of time. Chanakya’s work stood the test of time and reached far and wide and still holds relevance in the contemporary world. Various scholars have interpreted Chanakya’s work through modern lens and have found his teachings still relevant in the present context. Chanakya; s work has sparked as much controversy over its morality as Machiavelli’s The Prince, probably the reason why many scholars have compared Chanakya with the likes of Machiavelli. Some scholars have also painted Chanakya as a soulless materialist who uses whatever it is to his advantage to achieve his ends, or as an enlightened pragmatist who understands that one must sometime engage in distasteful acts in order to achieve greater noble ends. It cannot be denied that his teachings enabled the founding and maintenance of the Mauryan Empire, the regin whose influence cannot be overstated in the Indian History. Whether seen as a protagonist or an antagonist, Chanakya’s influence and his work made the Mauryan Empire carve out a special status in the Indian history. Chanakya’s work still continues to engage students and scholars of politics, religion and philosophy in examination of the doctrines of democracy economics and national identity.
Vishnu Gupt
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