Topic-Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators.
6) The state, according to Kautilya, was confined not merely to the maintenance of law and order or the protection of the people but extended to enable the individual attain the highest development. Discuss.(250 words)
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to bring out in detail the concept of the state as developed and expounded by Kautilya. The question wants us to write in detail about the functions of the state in terms of maintenance of law and order and also attainment of highest development of the subjects.
Structure of the answer
Introduction-
write a few introductory lines about the ancient Indian state. E.g in ancient India the state was considered as a political instrument represented by the King etc.
Body-
Discuss the concept of the state according to the Kautilya. E.g Kautilya’s views, as stated in Arthasastra, are, indeed, vivid.Though he has not defined what the state exactly is, but he does refer to the seven elements of the state-
Swami (the king with qualities such as bravery, quickness of decision, strength of mind, easily approachable sharp intellect); Amatya (the ministers-in-charge of the entire administration); Janapada (population and land: land devoid or rocky, saline, uneven and thorny tracts and wild animals, and abound in fertile lands, timber and elephant forests); Durga (fortress, the military establishment to protect the people from natural calamities, also a kind of arsenal, a storage of military artilleries and communication); Kosa (treasury, filled with gold, silver. precious jewels, and gems, should be able to withstand any calamity); Dando (consisting of hereditary and hired soldiers; Mitra (friendly states).
According to Kautilya states were confined not merely to the maintenance of law and order or the protection of the people. but extended to enable the individual attain the highest development. It appeared, more or less, as a welfare state of our times. There was no other greater object than the happiness of the people. He demands of the king to protect customs, religion and morality, embracing, thus the whole range of human life-social, economic cultural religious, political. The protection of Dharma remains, however. the most important function of the Kautilyan state. The order of the state,is not merely for the sake of order; it also is as Kautilya puts it, for protection, conversation, development and distribution : the state must create what is there, and distribute what has been increased etc.
Conclusion-based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue
