Arthashastra
Topic: State, Government and Governance: Organs, Levels and the Citizen · NCERT: Class 6, Ch 11 "Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas"; Class 7, Ch 9 "From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments"; Class 7, Ch 6 "The State, the Government, and You"
Meaning
The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian book on statecraft, meaning the art of running a state. It is attributed to Kautilya, also called Chanakya, of the Mauryan age. It covers administration, the economy, law and war. R. Shamasastry rediscovered it and published it in the early 20th century. It matters because it gives an Indian account of why the state exists and what a ruler must do.
Example
The Arthashastra gives the ruler three duties. Raksha means protecting the kingdom from outside attack. Pālana means keeping law and order inside. Yogakshema means looking after people's welfare. It also sets out the saptanga (seven limbs) theory of the state.
Don't confuse with
- Arthashastra vs a modern Constitution: the Arthashastra is advice to a king on how to rule. A Constitution is the supreme law that limits the rulers themselves.