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Friday, January 9, 2026
TopicArthashastra

Topic: Arthashastra

India has elephants, China doesn’t. Credit goes to ancient India’s land ethics

Ancient India's land ethic—reflected in Kautilya’s Arthashastra—balanced military, economic, and religious priorities to preserve vast elephant habitats, a legacy lost in China’s agrarian surge.

What Arthashastra tells us about strongmen rulers and autocracies in ancient India

Americans might be puzzled as to why an autocratic strongman holds such appeal with voters. But it’s a story India has seen a thousand times in our ancient politics.

Torture, death, fines — how Arthashastra guided ancient kings on addressing crime & dissent

Ancient and medieval Indian theorists had a grim view of justice. Arthashastra insisted on harsh punishments—but also restrained state power in surprisingly moral ways.

Kautilya’s ‘Arthashastra’, Manu’s laws—Ancient India had rich literature on jurisprudence

Today, the plaintiff is expected to provide evidence in court. Jurists in ancient India saw the issue as more complex—the burden of proof was determined after both parties had spoken.

Actors of ancient India performed with ‘weapons, fire & poison’. Kautilya wasn’t a fan

Travelling troupes of actors and singers were prime opportunities to sneak in spies and infiltrate enemy kingdoms. Knowing this, Kautilya imposed several rules on their performance.

Rome to Kabul, ancient India was a global player in trade. Kautilya’s Arthshastra tells all

Ancient Indians carried out a thriving global trade in a dazzling array of goods, from pearls, corals, and silk to wine, warhorses, and elephants.

Nijjar-Pannun saga is just a temptation to project a strong state. Arthashastra has answers

If the allegations by Canada & US are true, Indians and the world at large may demand clear official statements from the Indian govt. We cannot just wish away the consequences.

Rajnath launches Army’s Project Udbhav — combining ‘ancient wisdom with contemporary military pedagogy’

Launched at the Indian Military Heritage Festival in Delhi, it sets stage for a future-ready Army that is also attuned to contemporary warfare & diplomacy.

Army’s move to learn about ancient texts is important. But it needs a broader focus

The Arthashastra is a valuable historical resource, but it is not the only ancient strategic text. Army should also study India’s later strategic and military development. 

Project Udbhav is a wasteful exercise. Ancient texts can’t substitute Army training manuals

The intellectual acumen of officers and veterans could be better utilised for issues of greater national security concern instead of studying ‘strategic thought processes'.

On Camera

What the US did in Venezuela shows the world is still at the mercy of brute power

India needs to urgently draw attention to the total failure of the United Nations in preventing wars, unilateral sanctions, unlawful interventions and threats to sovereignty.

500% tariffs ahead for India? Trump’s lined up a big bad Bill for countries buying Russian oil

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham says bill will be 'well-timed, as Ukraine is making concessions for peace and Putin is all talk, continuing to kill the innocent'.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.