The Arthashastra: Collectible Edition - Release Date December 22, 2025

Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, authored the Arthashastra, an extraordinary and detailed manual on statecraft and the science of living, not later than 150 AD, though its exact date remains uncertain. Revered as one of classical India’s greatest minds, Kautilya was a master strategist, deeply versed in the Vedas and skilled in political intrigue, who famously overthrew the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya as the ruler of Magadha. His Arthashastra—the most comprehensive treatise on governance of its time—comprises fifteen books covering diverse subjects such as kingship, law, foreign policy, administration, and even secret and occult practices. While primarily written in prose, it also includes 380 shlokas. The term Artha, meaning wealth, signifies far more than material prosperity; it encompasses the broader aim of societal well-being. Reflecting this philosophy, the Arthashastra emphasizes the state’s responsibility in ensuring economic stability and efficient governance. It intricately details the art of government, law and order, and the machinery of administration, making it a seminal work on both political science and economics in ancient India.