The Arthasastra

<DIV><P>The only extant treatise on statecraft from classical India, the <I>Arthsastra</I> is an invaluable resource for understanding ancient South Asian political thought; it also provides a comprehensive and unparalleled panoramic view of Indian society during the period between the Maurya (320-185 BCE) and Gupta (320-497 CE) empires.</P><P>This volume offers modern English translations of key selections, organized thematically, from the <I>Arthasastra</I>. A general Introduction briefly traces the arc of ancient South Asian history, explains the classical Indian tradition of statecraft, and discusses the origins and importance of the <I>Arthasastra</I>. Thorough explanatory essays and notes set each excerpt in its intellectual, political, and cultural contexts.</P></DIV>