Indian Antiquary Vol 34

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 11

JANUARY, 1905.)
CHANAKYA'S LAND AND REVENUE POLIOY.
CHANAKYA'S LAND AND REVENUE POLICY.
(4th Century B. C.) BY R. SHAMASASTRY, B.A.
Introduction. THE Kautallya Arthaastra, i.e., "Kautalya's Science of Eoonomios," from which the present paper has been extracted in translation with notes, is a work by Chanakya. The book itaelf tells us its origin thus:
- This Sástra," says the author at the end of the book," has been written by him who, with knowledge in his head and weapon in his hand, snatched with irresistible force the earth from Nanda." And again, while citing his own views in contrast with those of other scholars on controversial points of Economics, the author always uses such phrases as "Bat Kantalya says thas," or "Kantalya objects to it," implying thereby that the author of the Arthaadatra was known by the name Kautalya. That Kautalya and Vishnugupta are other names by which Chanakya is known, is a fact with which Oriental scholars are too familiar to doubt, and that Chanakya was the historical personage who pat an end to the power of Nanda, is a fact which is mentioned in a number of Sanskrit works: The Vishnupuranal narrates, in its prophetic style, that “The Brahman Kantalya will root out the nine Nandas and will place Chandragupta on the throne." In his Sthariravalli-charita, or “Lives of the Jaina Patriarchs," Hêmachandra gives as a short account of Chanakya, which, though legendary, agrees with Vishnupur dĩa in making hire the destroyer of Nanda and supporter of Chandragapta. In the Nandinútra, a Jaina religious work in Prêkritic language, Ohanakya is extolled for the success which he achieved as Finance Minister to Chandragupta.
Sach allusions to Chanakya and his exploits in the works admitted to have been written somewhere between the first and fourth centuries A. D. are fairly reliable data for Assuming that Chanakya lived as minister of Chandragupta in the 4th century B. C.
The genuineness of the Arthabastra as the production of Ohanakya has been attested by Dandi in his Daáaloum dracharita, and by Kamandala in his Nitisára,
The Dulakumáracharita, Pt. II., Ch. 8, of Dandi, says: "The Science of Politics and Economics was abridged by Vishnugupta in 6000 granthas frr the gaidance of the Manryas, in the hope that a well-digested study of, and administration according to the precopts of the Arthasastra will enable a king to conduct his rule with brilliant success. The student of the Arthasdotra follows the advice of Chanakya and begins to study the science. In the course of the study itself, the student is overtaken by old age; for that science comprises in its fold all other kinds of sciences and can never be clearly mastered withont a firm grasp of the vast field of knowledge covered by language. If it be granted that, nevertheless, one succeeds in the attainment of a perfect understanding of the Arthasástra, the very first result of his mastering this science would be to induce him to lose his faith even in his wife and children. Even with regard to the cooking of his own food, he has to gravely decide what quantity of fuel cook a certain amount of rice........ Even after he has had his meal, he will not be free from the fear of poison till his food is well digested......"
1 P. 186, Chap. XXIV., Book IV., of Wilson's translation of Vishnupurdya.
Sthaviravall charita has been edited by Prof H. Jacobi and published in the BibUotheca Indios, Nandirltra, p. 388, Caloutta Edition,