Chanakya - The Master of Administration

Chanakya (350-273 BCE) was a scholar and administrator par excellence. He was a great Indian teacher, philosopher, statesman, royal adviser, economist and jurist. Alternatively known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, he penned the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra. He is said to be the pioneer of economics and political science in India. A Brahmin, originally hailing from Northern India, he was also a professor of political science and economics at the University of Takshashila. A past master of Vedas and ancient Indian literature, he is believed to have had some knowledge of Zoroastrianism as well. Chanakya was as shrewd as he was wise. He helped the first Mauryan Emperor, Chandragupta, to establish the Mauryan Empire. He also served as chief advisor and prime minister to both Chandragupta and his son, Bindusara. His immense works were lost towards the end of the Gupta Empire and were rediscovered only in the early 20th Century.....