Chanakya (Est. 375 BC – 283 BC) was an ancient Indian guru (teacher) involved in the rising of first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya. He was a royal advisor, philosopher, economist, and jurist. Chanakya is also traditionally identified as Kautilya or Vishnugupta. He is known to be very clever and intelligent.
Chanakya is a well-known philosopher not only in India but also worldwide. He is considered as the pioneer of political science and economics in India.
After being insulted by the Nanda king named Dhana Nanda in his assembly, he took an oath to dethrone Nandas and to destroy his empire. He decided to appoint a deserving and powerful king to the throne. He thereafter taught and trained a child name “Chandragupta” to let him grow as a strong candidate for the throne against the Nandas.
It is because of his diplomatic policies and rightful decisions, that he succeeded in putting the foundation of the Maurya empire. After dethroning the Nandas, he installs Chandragupta as the new king.
Chanakya is regarded as a great thinker and diplomat in India and as one of the earliest people who envisioned a united India (Akhand Bharat) spanning the entire subcontinent. His timeless vision on strategic issues is a matter of research.
He is credited as the author of Chanakya Niti (a collection of aphorisms) and Arthashastra, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy. His policies and tactics are still practical and implementable in the diplomatic world.
