As the world awakens to the growing importance of India, an understanding of Indian strategic culture and adherence to moralpolitik policies will certainly help make sense of the way India sees the world. Any discussion on this must start by understanding the role of history in the development of Indian strategic culture.

India’s actions have their origins in the teachings of traditional Indian strategic thinking. The most important source of this is the Arthasastra written by Kautilya. It was with the help of Kautilya that Chandragupta Maurya laid the foundations of a truly great Indian empire in 320 B.C.

The Arthasastra is a brilliant and comprehensive treatise on all aspects of international relations and good governance. Kautilya synthesized ancient India`s accumulated knowledge on statecraft, economics, military strategy, judicial and intelligence matters. He also advocated the use of deceit to attain one`s objective and such methods as wearing a disguise of moral probity, religious righteousness or citing moral righteousness to mask one`s intentions. Kautilya is thus an important component of India`s wide spectrum of politico-cultural resources.

The concept of Mandala, the system of developing and preserving international relations, was perfected in the Arthasastra for the first time.

Contents

The Life of Chanakya

The Arthasastra—an overview

Conduct of Foreign Policy

Defence of a Kingdom

Conduct of War

Synthesis

Contemporary Military Relevance of the Arthasastra