The Mauryan Polity c12.7

c12.7

This verse is, therefore, valuable as it demonstrates beyond all doubt that the writer of the extant work of the *Arthaśāstra* is the same Kauṭalya who had contributed not a little to the overthrowing of the old dynasty and to the founding of the new dynasty. Without this verse which is indeed significant the work will not appeal to us as the accredited writing of the first Mauryan Chancellor. The objection that it is a thing not likely to have been pleasing to the king is no argument. Kauṭalya will not stand to lose by writing thus. There is a baseless version that Candragupta was not a Kṣatriya but of a mixed caste. Granting that he was a Kṣatriya, a true Kṣatriya monarch of ancient days would not unduly take on himself the credit which legitimately belonged to others. And if it were a fact that Kauṭalya took up arms openly against the reigning dynasty and helped the succeeding dynasty in securing the throne there is no reason for the king to feel displeased at such a statement.