Table Of ContentKing, Governance, and Law
in Ancient India
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King, Governance,
and Law in
Ancient India
́ ̄
Kau t ilya’s Artha sa stra
z
A New Annotated Translation by
PATRICK OLIVELLE
1
3
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kautalya.
[Arthasastra. English]
King, governance, and law in ancient India : Kautilya's Arthasastra : a new annotated
translation / by Patrick Olivelle.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978–0–19–989182–5
1. Political science—India—History—Early works to 1800. 2. State,
The—Early works to 1800. 3. Kings and rulers (Hindu law)—
Early works to 1800. 4. India—Politics and government—To 997—
Early works to 1800. 5. India—Social conditions—Early works to 1800.
I. Olivelle, Patrick. II. Title.
JA84.I4.K3813 2013
351.01—dc23
2012018348
ISBN 978–0–19–989182–5
1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
For Keya
ketakyai ś ubhasundaryai m ā t ā mahakula ś riyai |
putrik ā putrik ā yai me pustakam arpita ṃ may ā ||
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Contents
Preface i x
Abbreviations x i
Note to the Translation xiii
Outline of the A rtha ś ā stra xix
Introduction 1
Translation
Book One: On the Subject of Training 63
Book Two: On the Activities of Superintendents 99
Book Three: On Justices 179
Book Four: Eradication of Thorns 223
Book Five: On Secret Conduct 2 53
Book Six: Basis of the Circle 2 71
Book Seven: On the Sixfold Strategy 277
Book Eight: On the Subject of Calamities 331
Book Nine: Activity of a King Preparing to March into Battle 349
Book Ten: On War 3 73
Book Eleven: Conduct toward Confederacies 389
Book Twelve: On the Weaker King 393
viii Contents
Book Thirteen: Means of Capturing a Fort 405
Book Fourteen: On Esoteric Practices 421
Book Fifteen: Organization of a Scientifi c Treatise 435
Appendix 1: Fauna and Flora 439
Appendix 2: Weights and Measures 4 55
Appendix 3: Geographical Names 4 61
Notes 4 67
Bibliography 701
Index 715
Preface
there are many things that I would never have undertaken if I had only
known how diffi cult they would turn out to be! Translating the A rtha śā stra
can be counted among them. It was a little over fi ve years ago in a moment
of foolishness that I embarked on this project, motivated partly by the
fact that one of my students, Mark McClish, was doing his dissertation
on the Artha śā stra. Now, fi ve years later and much wiser, I present this
translation to my colleagues and readers, deeply conscious of its short-
comings. For this, I beg forgiveness of that great master of intrigue and
political wisdom, Kauṭ ilya; this translation clearly cannot measure up to
his masterpiece.
It would have been far worse if not for the help and wisdom of sev-
eral friends and colleagues. First and foremost, my heartfelt thanks go
to Professors Albrecht Wezler and Hartmut Scharfe, who patiently and
generously read through my entire translation and notes, and off ered judi-
cious criticism and prudent suggestions for improvement. They put their
vast knowledge of ancient India and the Artha śā stra at my disposal. I also
thank Professor Gyula Wojtilla for help with the sections on agriculture.
Our height is always measured by the shoulders upon which we ride, and
it is a pleasure to acknowledge my debt to the numerous scholars who
have worked on the Artha śā stra over the past century. I can name only
a few here: fi rst, the pioneers in the fi eld, R. Shamasastry, Julius Jolly,
Ga ṇ apati Ś astri, and J. J. Meyer. Harihara Sastri is an unsung hero in
Artha śā stric scholarship; his edition of the most signifi cant commentary
and insightful introductions were of enormous help. R. P. Kangle, with
his critical edition, translation, and study, set a fi rm foundation for future
scholarship. Finally, the works of Hartmut Scharfe, Thomas Trautmann,
Dieter Schlingloff , and my former student Mark McClish are models of
scholarship. Sometimes, those who spend countless hours preparing
