Kautilyan Utopia

Kautilya aka Chanakya was an Indian economist & administrator about 2000 years ago, who compiled his "Arthashastra", a manual of the above subjects.

His ideal state was a hereditary monarchy, helped by an efficient multi-layered civil service, somewhat like the former monarchy of Mysore ruling with the services of Diwans like Sir M. Viswesvaraya. But there were startling differences from the present day democratic government.

The penal system was mainly by fines imposed on offenders. There did not seem to be any prison system as such. The prison system, though globally adopted now, seems highly unjust in principle, as offenders against society, are maintained at the expense of society, through the revenue contributed by the tax payers. It has also become a breeding ground for organised corruption.

In the crowning allocation of responsibility, the security officers were required to apprehend the thieves & restore the stolen objects within a time frame to the owners, failing which they (not the state) were forced to reimburse the value from their own pockets.

In a major faux pas, the Income Tax department was honoured by a commemorative coin some years ago, bearing an effigy of Chanakya, whereas in his Arthashastra, there does not seem to be a mention of tax on income at all.

Kautilya mocked at astrology, & only permitted temples for worshipping vedic deities to pander to the then current beliefs of the populace.

The status of women was noticeably higher than in subsequent periods of history. They had right to property, could engage in economically productive activity (preferably at home) & widows could remarry.

In a surprising move, numerous restrictions were placed on musicians & actors from entering towns for performing their art, whereas gambling, betting, selling alcoholic beverages & "the oldest profession in the world", were highly organised & run by the state itself for its economic benefit.

To end this essay on an astonishing instance of premonition, there is a clause in the chapter on the King's security, saying "The King shall inspect armed troops only when armed himself & riding a horse, an elephant or a chariot (& not on foot.) Memories of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi being attacked while taking a guard of honour on foot in Sri Lanka are still fresh in India.