Kautilya's Arthashastra: A Timeless Way of Planning

Abstract

India has a rich legacy of its art, literature, culture and values and it has manifold influences. One such statesman-philosopher is the intellectual pioneer Kautilya also known as Chanakya and occasionally as Vishnugupta. This article discusses the teachings of Kautilya specifically related to architecture and planning of cities as compiled in his book. The Arthashastra. His ideas are important for the understanding of the Indian strategic system of an organized state and the elements which constitute the state. The Manifestation of Kautilyan thinking is known to have the aspects of sustainability and being eco-friendly in the core of their practices.Kautilya’sArthashastra provides an insight into the ancient Indian anthology of planning principles, formations of settlements, the art of statecraft and the political wisdom. It is one of the major strategic treatises that constitute a collection of timeless concepts. The importance and relevance of such strategies and concepts could be enriching to the contemporary world. Some of the strategies could be gainfully employed to achieve long-term benefits and resolve some of the key issues affecting numerous countries today. Throughout the Arthashastra, three fundamental objectives: Governance, Wealth and Territory flow from one to the other. Formation, function, and expansion of territory depend mainly on good governance (promotion of the welfare of the subjects) as well ason a good economy (acquisition of wealth).Although Kautilya's Arthashastra is a comprehensive tool which covers a wide range of topics like statecraft, politics, military warfare, law, accounting systems, taxation, fiscal policies, civilrules, internal and foreign trade, etc. The aim of this paper is to highlight essential fundamentals for the design and development of human settlements and how these settlements are organized in a city.