Happenings in Kashmir for past sometime intriguingly resemble the methods employed in statecraft suggested by Kautaliya in his world famous treatise, the Arthashastra. One can observe the actual implementation of various methods outlined in the treatise. The book which has been translated into English by L.N.Rangarajan is a Penguin Classic. Kautaliya is a legend, a mastermind who wrote a definitive treatise on economics and government at a time when the most of the world was steeped in intellectual darkness. His personal name was Vishnugupta, belonged to kutila gotra, and was son of Chanaka. He destroyed the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya on the throne of Magadha. Not much is known about his early life. According to one legend he was a Kerala Brahmin who found his way to the court of Nanda King at Patliputra. Another is that he was a North Indian Brahmin born and educated in the famous University town of Taxila. Kautaliya was known for his proficiency in the three Vedas, in the mantras, skill in stratagem, dexterity in intrigue and policy, and also for his physical ugliness, disgusting complexion, deformity of legs and other limbs. It is said that he was born with a full set of teeth which was considered to be the mark of a future king. However, his parents did not want him to be a king and got the teeth removed making him look uglier. He ultimately became a king maker. He picked up Chandragupta who was of royal lineage from a cowherd and took him to Taxila where he gave him education fit for a future king. Both of them tried to attack Nanda kingdom but met with failure. Their strategy was changed because of the utterances of a woman with whom they had taken shelter. She had been scolding her son for eating rice from the middle of a bowl. She rebuked her son saying that he was just like Chandragupta as he had burnt his fingers by starting to eat from the centre of a hot dish. They changed their tactics and began conquest from the frontiers. Ultimately Kautaliya succeeded in putting Chandragupta on the throne of Magadha. Arthashastra which Kautaliya compiled is a comprehensive document guiding a king for ruling his state. It consists of 15 books covering all aspects of statecraft which a king or a ruler must follow for successfully running a state. The first five books deal with internal administration and the last eight on a state’s relations with its neighbours. The treatise is prescribed as one of the text books for the students of Indian Military Academy who are taught various stratagems of war described in detail by Kautaliya. Many Indian leaders consult the teachings for guidance in running the state apparatus. Sheikh Abdullah has mentioned that he saw Kautaliya’s Arthshastra and Machiavelli’s Prince by the bedside of Pandit Nehru. In spite of this he trusted him with disastrous results for himself and his nation!

Some parts of the book are very relevant to the present situation in Kashmir and one has a feeling that the methods and tactics described therein are being used by various agencies on ground. In the part three of the introductory chapter Kautaliya outlines the methods for dealing with internal conflicts. He prescribes a set of four methods for dealing with potential or actual internal conflicts. These are “Sama” (conciliation), “Dana” (placating with gifts), “Bheda” (sowing dissensions), and “Danda” (use of force). The details of these methods and the ways and means of employing these in different situations are described under Chapter III.v titled, “Revolts, Rebellions, Conspiracies, and Treason” and Chapter IX titled, “Covert Operations”. The first method to be used in a conflict especially involving internal rebellion is conciliation. It consists of praising merits, extolling mutual connections, explaining mutual benefits, giving inducements, showing identity of interest, and giving of awards and honours. The overall aim is to win over people by different types of inducements. Next comes placating with gifts. This involves rewarding with money, granting favours, exempting from taxes, and giving employment. If the first two methods do not succeed, then sowing dissension among the opponents can be used by creating mutual suspicion among various groups. The final method is the use of force to deprive a person of his property, liberty, or life which can be termed as plunder, harassment, and death. The methods can be used singly or in combination depending on the seriousness of the situation. According to Kautaliya an important cause of rebellion is the discontent in the population. An intelligent king is expected to anticipate discontent and take steps to prevent it from becoming worse. On disaffection among subjects he says that when people are impoverished, they become greedy; when they are greedy, they become disaffected; when disaffected, they either go over to the enemy or kill their ruler themselves. According to him disaffection can be countered by suppressing the leaders. Without the leaders, people are more easily governed, less susceptible to enemy instigations, and less capable of enduring the sufferings of a revolt. When the leaders are seized, the people become fragmented and restrained. Sometimes the leaders cannot be dealt with openly because they are powerful or because they are united. The king should suppress such people by using secret methods. Three types of secret methods can be used – using kinsmen, entrapment and playing one against the other. All the secret methods prescribed in Arthashastra have been consolidated in Part IX which is on clandestine operations. This chapter on covert operations describes in detail the subversion and intrigue which a king can employ in over coming his opponents. Kautaliya says, “Miraculous results can be achieved by practising the methods of subversion”. According to him, “A single assassin can achieve, with weapons, fire, or poison, more than a fully mobilized army”. The chapter starts with lessons in setting up a secret service and creating different types of agents. Surveillance of high state officials and people is given priority to keep the king abreast of various developments as also to prevent any disaffection and rebellion. Use of subversion and intrigue in statecraft is discussed in great detail. Methods to be used against oligarchies and enemy kings are outlined in a systematic manner. Finally use of magic, illusions, and occult in dealing with an enemy is described in chapter 14. In Kautaliya’s statecraft everything is legal for a king in protecting his kingdom. In relevance to Kashmir it seems the policy makers in both the countries have studied Arthashastra meticulously and are employing all the stratagems to put Kashmiris down. Musharraf had proved himself to be a modern Kautaliya and he seemed to be one up on his Indian counter parts. All international conventions and treaties respecting human rights do not seem to apply here. One is confronted by a totally murky situation in which it is difficult to ascertain who is doing what? A study of events of past few years especially incidents involving innocent civilians, the responsibility for which is denied by all concerned makes one seriously give credit to Kautaliya and his methods of statecraft. There are so many parties, factions of parties, social and cultural organisations, non-governmental organisations in every sphere of life that one feels lost in a cacophony of voices. Reason and logic seem to have taken a back seat. Unless one understands the whole background of events, it is impossible to find a cure for the disease afflicting Kashmir and a straight path to salvation. Kashmir’s so called leaders as well as other politicians do not seem to have studied Arthashastra. Had they done it, they would have visualised what they are up against on both sides of the divide. These days battles are fought and won in the minds of the people and not physically on the ground. To do that one needs to acquire knowledge from all corners of the world. Studying Kautaliya’s Arthshastra could be a worthwhile beginning towards that end!