Kautilya’s Timeless Theories on Governing a Nation

Deepa Agarwal, the author of “The Arthashastra for Children,” aims to introduce young readers to the ancient treatise on governance, social welfare, financial management, and town planning attributed to Kautilya, the prime minister to Chandragupta Maurya. Compiled between the second and third century BCE, the Arthashastra’s timeless theories on governing a country continue to be relevant for children growing up in 2023.

Agarwal’s own childhood experience of managing pocket money served as a foundation for understanding economics. With a monthly allowance of Rs 5, she learned the value of budgeting and saving, ensuring that her spending didn’t exhaust her resources prematurely.

The Arthashastra, despite its ancient origins, offers invaluable insights into governance. While modern children learn about governing through civics textbooks and mock parliamentary exercises, the Arthashastra delves deeper, covering nearly every aspect of statecraft. Agarwal underscores the importance of exposing contemporary children to this visionary work, emphasizing that Kautilya’s theories are not confined to history but continue to guide policymakers. The book provides historical and contemporary examples to illustrate the enduring relevance of Kautilya’s principles.

Adapting this monumental text for young readers posed challenges due to its volume and complex organization. Agarwal sifted through translations and consulted experts’ analyses to decode Kautilya’s theories comprehensibly. The text includes illustrative examples in the form of text boxes, which required extensive research.

The book is best suited for children above the age of 11, offering a gateway to understanding complex economic and governance principles. Additionally, Agarwal suggests that schools can integrate topics like price control, tax breaks, consumer protection, inheritance laws, and property rights into their curriculum. These discussions can serve as subjects for debate or essay competitions, promoting awareness of rights and responsibilities among students.

Agarwal also highlights the importance of teaching financial literacy from an early age. She emphasizes that habits and behaviors acquired in childhood tend to persist throughout life. Teaching children about budgeting, saving, and wise investment can provide financial security and counteract the lure of conspicuous consumption in the age of plastic money and social media-driven consumerism. Ultimately, children can benefit from learning the value of disciplined money management, ensuring a more rewarding financial future.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Moneycontrol