Question

Write a note about Kautilya.

Answer 1

Kautilya or Chanakya was also known as Vishnu Gupta the author of Arthasastra Vishnu Gupta was given the name of Kautilya because he was of ‘Kutala’ or ‘Kutila gotra’, (sub- caste), Vishnu Gupta was called Chanakya because he, was born at Canaka, some believe that because he was son of Chanak, so he came to be known as Chanakya i.e., son of Chanak.

Answer 2

Kautilya:

• Chanakya is popularly known as Kautilya who was specifically credited for the fall of Magadha and the rise of the Mauryan Empire. He was an excellent Indian philosopher chief advisor and Prime of Indian emperor Chandragupta.
• He originally hails from north India, a political science professor, and economics in the Taxila University. Upon facing insults from the Nanda king in the court, Kautilya swore to tie his sikha once the dynasty was destroyed.
• Chandragupta succeeded in overthrowing the Nanda dynasty with the help of Chanakya’s cunning strategies. Upon defeating Magadha he along with Kautilya’s help established the Mauryan Empire who later defeated Alexander the Great.
• He tutored Ashoka himself. He was a pioneer in diplomacy and administration the ideas of Kautilya in Arthashastra were totally practical and unsentimental he openly wrote about many controversial topics.