ISSN: 0048-2706 (Print), ISSN: 2227-9199 (Online) Pak Heart J 2023;56(03)

Kautilya’s Arthashastra and Indian Military Reforms

*Rhitwique Dutta
**Kaushik Dutta
***Hemeswari Bhuyan
*Rhitwique Dutta is a doctoral scholar in the Department of Political Science, Bodoland University
**Kaushik Dutta is a Ex-Student, Department of History, Dibrugarh University
***Hemeswari Bhuyan is Professor and Principal of RNC, Guwahati

Abstract

The ancient work on statecraft and governance known as Kautilya's Arthashastra is used as a lens to examine
Indian military reforms in this research article. The purpose of the study is to shed light on how Kautilya's
teachings continue to influence Indian defense plans and policies today. This research attempts to draw
comparisons between traditional knowledge and contemporary military activities by examining major concepts
from the Arthashastra, such as fighting tactics, organizational design, and resource management. This study aims
to clarify how Kautilya's teachings have influenced the development of the Indian military system throughout the
centuries through a thorough assessment of historical sources and academic literature. This research aims to
discover potential areas for development and adaptation to address modern security concerns by comprehending
the underlying philosophy and strategic insights given in the Arthashastra.
Keywords: Arthashastra, Indian, Kautilya, Military, Reforms

Introduction socioeconomic landscapes. Kautilya understood the

The Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on
politics, economics, and military strategy, has
withstood the test of time and continues to be
profoundly relevant in today's society. This ground-
breaking treatise, attributed to the esteemed scholar
Chanakya, also known as Vishnugupta or Kautilya,
was written more than 2,000 years ago, in the fourth
century BCE (Saad & Wenxiang, 2020). Although it
was initially composed in Sanskrit, its ideas and
concepts have cut beyond linguistic and cultural
barriers to become a timeless manual for social,
political, and economic policies. Modern
policymakers, diplomats, and leaders can learn vital
lessons from the Arthashastra's fundamental ideas
despite the enormous temporal and contextual
variations between ancient and modern nations
(Therborn, 2021). The Arthashastra explores the
practice of governance and places a strong emphasis
on the value of a fair and effective government. It
describes the duties and obligations of a ruler and
offers helpful advice on how to guarantee the well-
being of the nation and its people. Leaders can learn
from Kautilya's teachings to develop strategic
thinking, decisive decision-making, and the ability
to balance divergent interests for the benefit of
society as a whole in current times when there are
complex geopolitical issues and quickly shifting
importance of a sound economic base for a
flourishing polity. His views on monetary policies,
taxation, and trade laws provide insightful guidance
for governing contemporary economies (Roy, 2018).
The Arthashastra promotes a well-functioning
market economy, ethical business conduct, and the
careful distribution of resources.
These values are consistent with modern economic
theories, which emphasize the significance of
equitable growth, sustainable development, and the
formation of an environment that is favorable to
business. Arthashastra's thorough understanding of
diplomacy and international relations is one of its
enduring contributions (Boesche, 2003). It provides
tactics for creating alliances, dealing with
adversarial states, and winning discussions.
Understanding the dynamics of international
relations is more important than ever in today's
connected world. The teachings of Kautilya provide
a practical strategy for handling diplomatic
challenges and promoting friendly relations between
states. The Arthashastra includes a wide range of
military topics, such as intelligence gathering, battle
tactics, and the command of armed forces (Sheikh &
Rashid, 2020). Kautilya's emphasis on intelligence-
driven decision-making, disciplined armies, and the
significance of homeland security remains important

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today despite the fact that modern combat has
greatly changed (Billing, Fordy, & Friedl, 2021).
These historical ideals can serve as inspiration for
modern defense and security initiatives for
politicians and military planners. This piece
attempts to explore the intricacies and challenges of
Indian military reforms through the lens of the
Arthashastra. We have utilized a realist
conceptualization of international relations for our
study along with Kautilya’s ideas, integrating
elements from these similar and yet diverging
traditions.
Conceptual Framework
The pursuit of power, security, and self-interest by
nation-states in the international arena is emphasized
by the realist tradition in international relations, a
well-known theoretical framework. According to
realism, there is no centralized authority to impose
laws and order, hence the international system is
fundamentally anarchic (James, 1993). States are
therefore motivated by a self-help attitude, trying to
enhance their authority and ensure their survival in
a setting marked by rivalry and the possibility of
violence. Realists view war as an unavoidable and
logical weapon that states utilize to advance their
interests or defend their own at the expense of other
countries. The idea that measures taken by one state
to improve its security may be viewed as a threat by
other governments, leading to a spiral of tensions
and armaments buildup, is known as the security
dilemma and is a key concept in realism. Realists
contend that a state's military might and strategic
prowess are essential in thwarting prospective rivals,
and as a result, war is occasionally viewed as a
necessary tool to protect a state's sovereignty and
vital interests (Kapferer, 2004). In contrast,
Kautilya's view of battle, as presented in the
Arthashastra, takes a more subtle and
comprehensive approach. Kautilya's concept goes
beyond a simple quest for power and highlights the
moral and ethical components of war while
admitting the pragmatic necessity of fighting for
state survival. According to Kautilya, war should be
fought sparingly and only as a last resort to prevent
needless death and damage.
He advocates for moral behavior and the righteous
treatment of defeated foes, emphasizing the
significance of upholding dharma (righteousness) in
combat. Kautilya's Arthashastra provides the idea of
dharma-based governance, which contrasts with the
realism approach, which sees the global system as
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Pak Heart J 2023;56(03)
essentially chaotic and motivated only by self-
interest (Jervis, 1998). This strategy supports smart
and compassionate leadership that prioritizes the
welfare of the state's constituents while advancing
society as a whole. A stable and wealthy state,
according to Kautilya, derives not just from military
might but also from the fair and just management of
the business of the state. Although the importance
of power and survival in the practice of statecraft is
acknowledged by both the realist tradition in
international relations and Kautilya's viewpoint,
their conceptualizations of war and government are
very different. The desire for power and security is
given priority in realism, which sees conflict as a
reasonable tool in a chaotic world. On the other
hand, Kautilya's Arthashastra integrates dharma
concepts, focusing on moral leadership and
emphasizing the significance of moral behavior in
combat. The difference between these two
viewpoints demonstrates how Kautilya's views
remain relevant today, providing a more thorough
and compassionate approach to statecraft that is in
line with modern ideals for peace and good
governance.
Methodology
In order to study and comprehend the current Indian
military reforms, this research article uses a
qualitative and descriptive technique (Busetto,
Wick, & Gumbinger, 2020). It does so by using a
theoretical framework that combines realist
interpretations of international relations with
Kautilya's legacy. The use of qualitative research is
preferred because it enables a thorough examination
and analysis of complicated occurrences, resulting
in a deeper comprehension of the topic. By
investigating the underlying motivations,
difficulties, and repercussions of the Indian military
reforms, the study's descriptive nature aims to give a
thorough and extensive description of them. This
research paper's theoretical approach combines
Kautilya's legacy with realist views of international
affairs. The pursuit of power, security, and self-
interest by nation-states in an anarchic international
system is highlighted by the realism perspective, a
well-known theoretical approach in international
relations. This framework will shed light on the
variables influencing India's military reforms, such
as national security concerns and the nation's
regional and international standing. The
Arthashastra, an old Indian treatise on statecraft,
which articulates Kautilya's heritage, is also
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incorporated into the study. Kautilya's theories add
moral and ethical considerations to politics and
combat, providing a more complex viewpoint than
realism. The research intends to examine how India's
military reforms correspond with ethical
considerations and long-standing Indian strategic
thought by merging these antiquated concepts.
An extensive assessment of the literature from
scholarly sources, official records, scholarly
publications, and reliable websites is undertaken in
order to compile pertinent data for this study. As it
provides current and convenient information about
India's military reforms and the larger geopolitical
backdrop, the Internet is a useful source of
information. Thematic analysis, a popular technique
for qualitative research, is used to qualitatively
assess the data that has been gathered. In order to
comprehend a topic better, thematic analysis entails
spotting patterns, themes, and recurring concepts in
the data. This examination compares and contrasts
Kautilya's tradition with realist conceptions of
international relations in an effort to identify the
fundamental motivations, difficulties, and
implications of India's military reforms. Ethical
issues are crucial when doing this research. To give
due credit to the original authors and publications,
every source used in the study is properly credited
and acknowledged. Additionally, the research
follows norms and criteria for using data from the
internet, confirming the validity and integrity of the
sources used. Like all studies, this one might have
some limits. Relying on Internet sources can be
difficult when it comes to confirming facts and
determining the reliability of online content.
Furthermore, even if Kautilya's legacy and realism
interpretations provide a comprehensive framework,
it may be important to carefully assess whether or
not ancient theories may be applied to contemporary
military changes.
Discussion And Analysis
Let's explore the intriguing realm of Indian military
reforms and how they relate to Kautilya's ancient
knowledge—or how they occasionally depart from
it. According to our research, it appears that the
Indian military has implemented reforms that are in
line with contemporary strategic thinking, one of
which is the emphasis on firepower. We have seen a
strong focus on enhancing India's defence
capabilities with cutting-edge equipment and
cutting-edge technologies. This strategy is
consistent with modern military doctrines, which
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Pak Heart J 2023;56(03)
view firepower as a key element in thwarting
prospective attackers and preserving national
security. We have seen that India has not
significantly reduced the size of its military, despite
the desire for modernization and weaponry. This is a
thought-provoking statement since it calls into
question the effectiveness and efficiency of the
force. Lean, adaptable military forces that are
capable of reacting rapidly and decisively to a
variety of threats are frequently emphasized in
contemporary strategic thought. Maintaining a
sizable military could provide difficulties in
allocating resources and assuring the readiness of
the entire army. Let's now focus on how Kautilya's
theories of war have been modified by India's
military reforms. In the Arthashastra, Kautilya
emphasized the value of dharma (righteousness) and
moral behavior in combat. He argued for fair
treatment of defeated foes and deliberate action to
prevent needless death and damage.
But in the current situation, we have seen situations
in which India's political actions have been deviating
from this idea, with less focus on moral issues. This
departure from Kautilya's precepts may have serious
repercussions on a national and international scale.
In the home country, it can prompt concerns about
the moral implications of military operations and
their effects on civilian populations (Watkins, 2020).
On a global scale, it might have an impact on India's
reputation and diplomatic status, possibly leading to
strained ties with other countries. Building alliances
and trust was a key component of Kautilya's strategy
for warfare, but a move toward more forceful tactics
could have an impact on regional cooperation and
stability. Further, the impact of geopolitical
dynamics is another point worth mentioning. Since
Kautilya's time, the security environment has
changed substantially, and India now faces
particular difficulties in its region (Kumar & Mohan,
2021). India's approach to military reforms has been
influenced by elements like local conflicts, border
disputes, and the emergence of non-state players. It
might be challenging to strike a balance between
traditional wisdom and contemporary strategic
thinking in such a complicated context. In fact,
India's military reforms show a trend toward
contemporary strategic thinking with a strong
emphasis on weaponry. To ensure maximum
effectiveness, the country has yet to address the size
of its military force. The revisions have also
drastically departed from Kautilya's conceptions of
war, which might have ethical and diplomatic
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