Kautilya's Administration

 

Kautilya was a professor at Taxila University and later became the Prime Minister of the Mauryan Empire.Kautilya is known as the Indian Machiavelli because of his ruthless and shrewd tactics and policies reflecting an approach to statecraft including warfare.

The Arthashastra is a science which deals with the acquisition and protection of the means of livelihood. It is also a mean of ensuring the well being of human being in general. It's objective is two-fold. The first palana, refers to the administration and protection of state. The second, labha, is a conquest and acquisition of territory.

According to Kautilya, an administrator can be an adept in the art of Public Administration only if he is conversant with the science of Public Administration. Kautilya enumerates seven prakritis or essential organs of the state. They are Swamin, Amatya, Janapada, Durga, Kosha, Danda and Mitra.

The Swamin (Ruler)
Kautilya says that the foremost duty of the king is protection of subjects and their property. This is called rakshana or palana. He is also to ensure their Yogakshema. Yoga refers to the successful accomplishment of an object while kshema refers to the peaceful employment of that object.

The Amatya ( Minister )
The Prime Minister and the High Priest are the most important ministers. The larger council is called the Council of Ministers and body of ministers is known as Inner Cabinet. The important ministers in Arthashastra include the sacrificial priest, the teacher, the prime minister, the high priest, the commander of the army, Chamberlain, Treasurer- General, and the Collector General.

The Janapada ( Population )
Kautilya says that the population should be prosperous enough to be able to pay taxes, should be loyal and should habitually follow the orders of the king.

The Durga ( Fortified Capital )
Durga is the symbol of the defensive and offensive capacity of the state. Kautilya describes four types of forts:

Audik:- which is surrounded on all sides by water,
Parvat:- which is in the centre of hills,
Dhanvan:- which lies in a desert,
Van Durga:- which is situated in forest.

The Kosha ( Treasury )
The state treasury should be a permanent source of revenue for the state. It was not the personal treasury of the king and he was advised to take the one sixth part of the produced and there must be sufficient currency and valuable minerals like gold, silver etc.

The Danda (Army )
According to Arthashastra a contented army is the key to the king's success. The head of defense department seem to be Senapati. The army ought to be well versed in military arts, be loyal and patriotic.

The Mitra ( Ally and Friend )
Allies should be made on a permanent basis. Arthashastra talks about transmission, maintenance of treaties, issue of ultimatum, gaining of friends, intrigue, sowing dissension among friends, fetching secrets etc

Kautilya identifies five elements of administration viz , the means of starting undertakings, the excellence of men and materials, appointment of place and time, provision against failure and accomplishment of the work.

Kautilya is alternatively condemned for his ruthlessness and trickery and praised for his timeless political wisdom and knowledge of human nature. The Arthashastra provides philosophical foundations of the monarchical form of government.