RAS question
The author of 'Arthashastra' is:
Correct answer: (C) Kautilya.
Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, is credited with writing the Arthashastra.
Explanation
The Arthashastra is associated with Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta, and Britannica describes it as a major Indian manual on the art of politics attributed to Kautilya. That fits the usual exam framing: the text is a practical treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy, organised in 15 books. Its scope explains why the author matters in ancient Indian history: it deals with governance, law, taxation, diplomacy, war and espionage, and Britannica specifically notes its concern with how the state economy is organised, how ministers are chosen, how war is conducted, how taxation is arranged, and how runners, informers and spies serve the ruler. It was rediscovered by R. Shamasastry in 1905.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Vishakhadatta is linked with Mudrarakshasa, not with authorship of the Arthashastra.
- (B) Megasthenes wrote Indica, so he belongs to the Greek observer tradition rather than to the authorship of the Arthashastra.
- (D) Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari, which makes him a later literary figure, not the author of the Arthashastra.
Concept
This tests the ancient Indian polity and literature part of the RAS syllabus, especially the pairing of texts with authors. It recurs because the Arthashastra is central to questions on Mauryan-era statecraft, economy, taxation and espionage.