Arthashastra

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, written in Sanskrit. It identifies its author by the names ‘Kauṭilya’ and ‘Vishnugupta’, both names that are traditionally identified with Chanakya (c. 350-283 BC). It was influential until the 12th century, when it disappeared. It was rediscovered in 1904 by R. Shamasastry, who published it in 1909.
The first English translation was published in 1915. The text argues how in an autocracy an efficient and solid economy can be managed, and discusses the ethics of economics and the duties and obligations of a king. It also offers an outline of the legal and bureaucratic framework for administering a kingdom, with a wealth of descriptive cultural detail on topics such as mineralogy, mining and metals, agriculture, animal husbandry, medicine and the use of wildlife. The Arthaśāstra also focuses on issues of welfare (for instance, redistribution of wealth during a famine) and the collective ethics that hold a society together.