Arthashastra was written by _______.

Correct option is C

​The correct answer is (c) Kautilya

Explanation:

• The Arthashastra was written by Kautilya, also known as Chanakya or Vishnugupta.
• He was the chief advisor and prime minister to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire.
• The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, military strategy, and administration.
• It is one of the most comprehensive works on governance and political theory from ancient India.

Information Booster:

• Language: Sanskrit
• Time Period: Written around the 4th century BCE, during the Mauryan era
• Content:
• Duties of a king and administration
• Law and justice
• Economy and taxation
• Espionage and diplomacy
• Warfare and defense

The Arthashastra gives us a deep insight into ancient Indian governance systems and has often been compared to Machiavelli's The Prince due to its realistic and sometimes ruthless political advice.

Additional Knowledge:

1. Banabhatta – Court poet of Harshavardhana, wrote Harshacharita and Kadambari.

2. Megasthenes – A Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya; wrote Indica, a Greek account of India.

3. Vishakhadatta – Known for writing the Sanskrit play "Mudrarakshasa", which describes the rise of Chandragupta Maurya with Chanakya’s help.