English Lexicon

Arthashastra

/ɑːrθəˈʃɑːstrə/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    An ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.

    "The Arthashastra provides insights into the political and economic strategies of ancient India."
  2. 2

    A work that outlines the principles of governance and administration.

    "Scholars often refer to the Arthashastra when discussing the foundations of political theory in India."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'Arthashastra' originates from Sanskrit, where 'artha' means 'wealth' or 'purpose' and 'shastra' means 'treatise' or 'science'. It dates back to ancient India, attributed to the philosopher Kautilya (Chanakya) in the 4th century BCE, and has evolved to represent a comprehensive guide on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.

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