Arthashastra and the Mauryan Empire

Today we will debate whether the advice laid out in the primary source Arthashastra was unethical or an effective means for gaining and keeping power.

http://www.mrdowling.com/612-ashoka.html

Introductory Video available at http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/timeline/2/

In 320 BCE, [C]handragupta Maurya (c. 320-298 BCE) became the founder of the Mauryan Empire. By the end of the century, Chandragupta's empire ranged from the Himalayas to the Deccan plateau in Southern India and united the Indus and Gangetic valleys under a central administration that would thrive for 140 years. Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to Chandragupta's court, marveled at the wealth and splendor of the Mauryan capital at Pataliputra (Patna), and his portrait of the king reveals a masterful and suspicious ruler who was constantly vigilant, fearing attempts on his life. A manual about statecraft, Arthasastra, written in part by Chandragupta's head minister, Kautilya (other authors made subsequent additions in later centuries), is a revealing study of Mauryan bureaucracy. The book, which is often compared to Machiavelli's The Prince, discusses practical advice for rulers about how to run a kingdom, including ways to cultivate spies and become popular in conquered territories.

Legends of Chandragupta's life abound; some claim his family was related to the Buddha while others say that he met Alexander the Great and was imprisoned for offending him. Most versions of his death recount that Chandragupta abdicated his throne to become a Jain monk and fasted until he died. After Chandragupta's death, his son Bindasara and grandson Ashoka the Great increased the empire's power and consolidated its lands.

(Reproduced for educational, non-commercial use only by students of Early World History, the above summary of Chandragupta Maurya may also be found at http://www.pbs.org/thestoryofindia/)

Story of India, Mauryan Empire (28:25-58:15)