Kautalya,_the_Prime_Minister_of_Chandragupta_Maurya

In the 4th century Kautalya, the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya creator of the Mauryan dynasty had a set of rules by which his people were governed. These rules were meant to keep the kingdom running smoothly. Ashoka of the 3rd century also had a set of rules by which his people were governed. These edicts were carved on rocks and pillars after Ashoka had converted to Buddhism. It is my purpose in the essay to compare the ideas of these two governments. It would seem from the edicts that Ashoka carved into stone that he cared for his peoples well being. I believe that this statement is proven by this quote “In the past, state business was not transacted nor were reports delivered to the king at all hours. But now I have given this order, that at any time, whether I am eating, in the women's quarters, the bed chamber, the chariot, the palanquin, in the park or wherever, reporters are to be posted with instructions to report to me the affairs of the people so that I might attend to these affairs wherever I am.” (Ashoka: The Rock and Pillar Edicts). One the other hand I believe that Kautalya was more interested in making sure that his government ran smoothly than the well being of his people. “The king's minister shall direct his affairs in conformity to those of the entire country. He shall appease with offer of wealth [the activities of the spies] and those who have had some well-known cause to be [unhappy with the government], and impose punishments in secret on those who [may be] plotting against the king.”(Kautalya: The Arthashastra: On the Institution of Spies) from these quotes we can gather that Ashoka felt that he owed his people his undivided attention. Kautalya on the other hand I think felt he should take care of his people but I believe he was more worried about himself i.e. spies to make sure his people were not plotting against him. In the Rock and Pillar Edicts I can find no mention of taxes or responsibilities required of the people other than their obedience to the edicts. This leads me to believe that Ashoka was probably a very kind and easy going ruler. One the other hand I believe that Kautalya did have taxes as shown here “Lands may be confiscated from those who do not cultivate them and given to others; or they may be cultivated by village laborers and traders, lest those owners who do not properly cultivate them might pay less (to the government). If cultivators pay their taxes easily, they may be favorably supplied with grains, cattle, and money.” (Kautalya: The Arthashastra Formation of Villages). This quote also leads me to believe that Kautalya was more interested in lining his own pockets than helping his people. Ashoka I think thought that to make a strong state you had to make sure that you people were well cared for. One of his edicts says “Everywhere within [the King's] domain, and among the people beyond the borders, the Beloved-of-the-Gods, [has] made provision for two types of medical treatment: medical treatment for humans and medical treatment for animals. Wherever medical herbs suitable for humans or animals are not available, I have had them imported and grown. Wherever medical roots or fruits are not available I have had them imported and grown.” (Ashoka: The Rock and Pillar Edicts). From this I gather that Ashoka thought that to have a strong state you must have strong and healthy people. Kautalya made a rule saying that “The king shall bestow on cultivators only such favor and remission as will tend to swell the treasury, and shall avoid such as deplete it.” (Kautalya: The Arthashastra Formation of Villages). From this rule I gather that he thought that the key to a strong state was the royal treasuries being full. I think that Kautalya would have defined an effective state as one that is making money and producing as many crops as possible as seen here “Lands may be confiscated from those who do not cultivate them and given to others; or they may be cultivated by village laborers and traders, lest those owners who do not properly cultivate them might pay less (to the government). If cultivators pay their taxes easily, they may be favorably supplied with grains, cattle, and money.” (Kautalya: The Arthashastra Formation of Villages). Basically what this is saying is if you don’t pay enough taxes or grow enough crops your land will be taken and given to those who can pay more taxes and grow more crops. Ashoka probably would have defined an effective state as one where the people are happy and content as shown here “Along roads I have had wells dug and trees planted for the benefit of humans and animals.” (Ashoka: The Rock and Pillar Edicts). This proves to me that he thought his people would be more effective if they were happy and content. Kautalya had a secret police force, spies and a minister under his command. These were his officers of state. He used the minister to punish people seen here “The king's minister shall direct his affairs in conformity to those of the entire country. He shall appease with offer of wealth [the activities of the spies] and those who have had some well-known cause to be [unhappy with the government], and impose punishments in secret on those who [may be] plotting against the king.”(Kautalya: The Arthashastra: On the Institution of Spies). The minister was probably one of the more hated officers of the state. Due to his punishing people. The only officers of the state that Ashoka had were officials and I believe they were used to help the people as shown here” Everywhere in my domain the [royal officials] shall go on inspection tours every five years for the purpose of instruction [in the tenets of Hinduism] and also to conduct other business.” (Ashoka: The Rock and Pillar Edicts). They were probably not hated or feared by the people. In conclusion I believe that if I had to choose between the two rulers I would choose to live under Ashoka’s government he seemed to be fair and just and he seemed to genuinely care about his people. While I do not think that Kautalya was an evil psychopathic ruler. I do think that he was more worried about him self than the state of his government or his people.