Saptanga theory
Also called: Saptanga · Topic: State, Government and Governance: Organs, Levels and the Citizen · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 10 "The Constitution of India: An Introduction"
Meaning
The saptanga theory is Kautilya's idea that the state has seven limbs (sapta = seven, anga = limb). The seven limbs are:
- swamin (ruler);
- amatya (ministers);
- janapada (territory and people);
- durga (fort);
- kosha (treasury);
- danda (army);
- mitra (ally).
Like the limbs of a body, all seven must be healthy for the state to work well. The theory comes from the Arthashastra.
Example
A kingdom with a strong army (danda) but an empty treasury (kosha) cannot pay its soldiers for long. In this theory, weakness in one limb weakens the whole state.
Don't confuse with
- The four elements of the modern state: modern political science lists population, territory, government and sovereignty. Saptanga has seven limbs and includes items such as the fort, the treasury and allies, which the modern list leaves out.