Kautilya's Arthashastra
Translated by R. Shamasastry, 1915 · Public Domain
A treatise on statecraft, economics, and governance by Kautilya, advisor to Chandragupta Maurya (c. 4th century BCE). Discovered and translated by Rudrapatna Shamasastry of Mysore, Karnataka in 1915.
15 books · 155 chapters · 3585 paragraphs
I
Concerning Discipline
The duties of a king, creation of ministers, and the institution of spies
II
The Duties of Government Superintendents
Administration of government departments, treasury, agriculture, and commerce
III
Concerning Law
Civil and criminal law, contracts, inheritance, and marriage
IV
The Removal of Thorns
Suppression of criminals and maintenance of law and order
V
The Conduct of Courtiers
Conduct of courtiers, salaries, and state finances
VI
The Source of Sovereign States
The elements of sovereignty — king, ministers, territory, and treasury
VII
The End of the Six-Fold Policy
The six-fold policy: peace, war, neutrality, marching, alliance, and double policy
VIII
Concerning Vices and Calamities
Vices and calamities that befall a king and kingdom
IX
The Work of an Invader
Preparation for military campaigns and invasion
X
Relating to War
Conduct of war, battle formations, and sieges
XI
The Conduct of Corporations
Dealing with corporations and guilds
XII
Concerning a Powerful Enemy
Strategy against a powerful enemy
XIII
Strategic Means to Capture a Fortress
Methods to capture a fortress
XIV
Secret Means
Secret and occult means in statecraft
XV
The Plan of a Treatise
The methodology of this treatise