The Kautilya Society blog

Kautilya is the name of an historical figure from the 4th century B.C.   As an advisor at court, he tried to persuade the King to use knowledge and wisdom to rule his subjects instead of depending so heavily on his military might. The King refused to acquiesce. To prove that physical force was more effective, he had Kautilya thrown out of the kingdom, and from the gated walls, tauntingly enquired, “What can your knowledge do for you now?”  Swearing not to cut his hair until he proved that knowledge was the stronger force, Kautilya harnessed his energy and drove it towards developing his knowledge to its fullest potential. The outcome is known as Kautilya’s Arthashastra, a treatise on the means to govern. To fulfil his oath, he dedicated himself to educating a young man in these disciplines who then overthrew the King and installed a reign which was sustained on knowledge.

By adopting the name Kautilya for our Society,  we hope that we may bare witness to his determination in carrying out our own objectives.