The author of ‘Arthashastra’ was a contemporary of which of the following rulers?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Chandragupta Maurya.
The author of the ‘Arthashastra’, Kautilya (also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta), was a contemporary of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire in the 4th century BCE. Kautilya was not only the chief advisor but also the political mentor of Chandragupta. The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economics, military strategy, and governance. It reflects Kautilya’s vast knowledge and practical approach to administration. Under his guidance, Chandragupta overthrew the Nanda dynasty and established a strong centralized empire. The Arthashastra remains one of the most significant works in ancient Indian political and economic thought.