Chanakya, also known as "Kautilya", who is believed to have lived in the 4th century BCE, is a towering figure in Hindu history. His name is synonymous with shrewdness, success, politics and empire building. He was the mind behind the formation of the Mauryan Empire. It is universally acknowledged that the success of Chandragupta Maurya, a boy from humble origins, in founding the Maurya Empire "was due as much to his own military genius, as to the statesmanship of his Prime Minister Kautilya" (R. C Majumdar, Ancient India).

Chanakya is often thought of as the "Machiavelli of India" for the ruthless tactics sometimes suggested in the famous manual of statecraft that he left behind (the Kautilya Arthashastra). However, there is more to Kautilya's teaching than Machiavellian ruthlessness. As a popular modern translator of the Arthashastra has said, this "view is not only simplistic but untrue. Only scholars of ancient Indian history are aware of the range and depth of the Arthashastra. It is a pioneering work on statecraft in all its aspects..." (L. N. Rangarajan)

Indeed, to equate Kautilya's Arthashastra with nothing but Machiavellian ruthlessness reflects a very bad reading of the Arthashastra. Kautilya's work clearly reflects a deep pre-occupation with the welfare of his subjects. This is aptly brought out by quotes such as:

"In the happiness of his subjects lies the king's happiness; in their welfare, his welfare. He shall not consider as good only that which pleases him, but treat as beneficial to him whatever pleases his subjects." (1.19.34).

Kautilya's tough punishment systems do reflect a tough approach, but this is directed at protecting the citizens and the prosperity of the state. He says:

"A king meting out unjust punishment is hated by the people he terrorises, while one who is too lenient is held in contempt; whoever imposes just and deserved punishment is respected and honoured." (1.4.7-10).

Similarly, the rest of Kautilya's Arthashastra also reflects deep reasoning and a conscious endeavour to strive for justice, welfare and uplift. Of course, the appropriate use of force was required to ensure the smooth running of a state (more so in the ancient world than today), so the Arthashastra reflects this.

The story of Kautilya is preserved in Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jaina traditions. They all agree that Kautilya, also referred to as Vishnugupta, destroyed the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya on the throne of Maghada, then the pre-eminent kingdom of India. The name "Kautilya" denoted that he is of the kutila gotra; "Chanakya" shows him to be the son of Chanaka, and "Vishnugupt" was his personal name.