Kautilya Arthashastra
by R. Shamasastry | 1956 | 174,809 words | ISBN-13: 9788171106417
The English translation of Arthashastra, which ascribes itself to the famous Brahman Kautilya (also named Vishnugupta and Chanakya) and dates from the period 321-296 B.C. The topics of the text include internal and foreign affairs, civil, military, commercial, fiscal, judicial, tables of weights, measures of length and divisions of time. Original ...
Preface to the Fifth Edition
Dr. R, Śāmaśāstri’s translation of Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra has been a work of perennial interest to all students of Indological studies, and it is gratifying to note that the continuous demand for the book has encouraged me to issue a fifth edition. The first three editions, published in 1915, 1923 and 1929 respectively, were issued with, prefatory notes by the author himself. On the demise of my father on 23rd January, 1944, as a filial duty, I published a re-print of the work in 1951 as the fourth edition. Within a short time another edition was in great demand and in the present reissue, except for some minor changes in spelling and head-lines, no fundamental alterations have been made from the previous editions.
The great significance of Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra has been acknowledged by eminent scholars and statesmen throughout the world and a few of their opinions on Dr. Ṣāmaśāstri’s work on the Arthaśāstra have been appended to this edition.
In the task of issuing the fifth edition, I have been greatly encouraged by the gracious message of His Excellency Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, the Vice-President of India, who knew my father intimately.
In his letter dated 11th January, 1956, he writes:
“.... Your father was a good friend of mine and we used to meet frequently while I was at Mysore. His work on Kauṭilya’s Arthaśāstra has brought out the social conditions and the political theories of ancient India. It has been a mine of information utilised by many people for the preparation of their Doctorate theses. The very fact that it is now in its 5th impression shows the popularity of the book....”
My grateful thanks are due to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and to my friends, who co-operated with me in the work of publication of this edition. To Sri. G. R. Dāsappa, Proprietor, Sri Raghuveer Printing Press, I am indebted for the neat and fine get-up of the book. My cordial thanks are due to Sri. A. S. Shāma Rao, who assisted me in correcting the proofs.
M. S. SRINIVAS.
“Asutosh”
2946, Chamundipuram,
Mysore, 30th March, 1956.