Chanakya wrote his books on political, economic and social management under one title ‘Arthshastra’ which literally means ‘Meaningful Science’ or ‘Gainful Science’. Today the word stands for ‘Ecnomics’ which surely was not the idea in Chanakya’s mind because he includes political constitution, other non-economy subjects in his ‘Arthshastra’ treatise. The series was written under the pen name Kautilya during 312-296 B.C.
His Arthshastra is in 15 volumes containing 150 sections and 180 chapters.
The early chapters can be considered to be original constitution of a state. The state is conceived as a monarchy.
The Arthshastra detail the duties of a king, his own life, conduct and religion. He precribes how he should choses his aides and countil of minister and their qualification then administrative structure to run the state is charted out.
The construction of the capital and the fortress is also prescribed in great detail.
He advices a good network of spies to keep watch on the ministers, administrators, officials, commanders and subjects to obviate rebellions or for nipping the corruption in the bud. A vigilant kingdom must have spies in the neighbourhood kingdom.
A king without wise council of ministers is doomed to fail, Arthshastra warns. A king must protect Dharma and righteonsness in his kingdom considering it his basis dealy. Such king will be blessed with happiness in this world and the other world, he claim. To give a good and just governance to the people is king’s religious duty, he says.
He also prescribes periodical test of the ministers to keep them straight. The qualifications of a minsiter is listed as high birth, honesty, integrity, intelligence and reasonable academic education.
He lays stress on public welfare schemes and other measures for the happiness of the people.
Kautilya alias Chanakya has drawn out in detail the constitution of the council of ministers and administrative heirarchy well defining the duties and areas of charge of various officials.
Chanakya’s Arthshastra is undoubtedly the world’s first documented constitution of a state, the king being the fountain head of the state.
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