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Book Cover
E-book
Author Kauṭalya, author

Title King, governance, and law in ancient India : Kauṭilya's Arthaśāstra / a new annotated translation by Patrick Olivelle
Published New York : Oxford University Press, [2013]
©2013

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Description 1 online resource (xxvii, 753 pages)
Contents On the subject of training -- On the activities of superintendents -- On justices -- Eradication of thorns -- On secret conduct -- Basis of the circle -- On the sixfold strategy -- On the subject of calamities -- Activity of a king preparing to march into battle -- On war -- Conduct toward confederacies -- On the weaker king -- Means of capturing a fort -- On esoteric practices -- Organization of a scientific treatise -- Appendix 1. Fauna and flora -- Appendix 2. Weights and measures -- Appendix 3. Geographical names
Summary King, Governance, and Law in Ancient India presents an English translation of Kautilya's Arthasastra (AS.) along with detailed endnotes. When it was discovered around 1905, the AS. was described as perhaps the most precious work in the whole range of Sanskrit literature, an assessment that still rings true. Patrick Olivelle's new translation of this significant text, the first in close to half a century, takes into account a number of important advances in our knowledge of the texts, inscriptions, and archeological and art historical remains from the period in Indian history to which the AS. belongs. The AS. is what we would today call a scientific treatise. It codifies a body of knowledge handed down in expert traditions and is specifically interested in two things: first, how a king can expand his territory, keep enemies at bay, enhance his external power, and amass riches; second, how a king can best organize his state bureaucracy to consolidate his internal power, to suppress internal enemies, to expand the economy, to enhance his treasury through taxes, duties, and entrepreneurial activities, to keep law and order, and to settle disputes among his subjects. The AS. stands alone: there is nothing like it before and there is nothing like it after
Notes Translated from the Sanskrit
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes English
Print version record
Subject Political science -- India -- History -- Early works to 1800
State, The -- Early works to 1800
Kings and rulers (Hindu law) -- Early works to 1800
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Executive Branch.
POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Public Affairs & Administration.
Kings and rulers (Hindu law)
Political science
Politics and government
Social conditions
State, The
India -- Politics and government -- To 997 -- Early works to 1800
India -- Social conditions -- Early works to 1800
India
Genre/Form Early works
History
Form Electronic book
Author Olivelle, Patrick, translator, editor
ISBN 9780190258344
0190258349
9780199891832
0199891834
9780199891825
0199891826
Other Titles Arthaśāstra. English