Kautilya

Years of birth and death unknown. Ancient Hindu statesman of the fourth century B.C.

Historical tradition has assigned an important role to Kautilya in the overthrow of the Nanda dynasty in Magadha and the accession of Chandragupta Maurya to the throne; Kautilya became the latter’s principal adviser. He is also considered to be the author of the political treatise Arthasastra, in which an ideal state with a ramified police system and strong royal power is described. The treatise states that any means can be used to strengthen this power.