The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t7: Fleet, 1915
The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t7
- Language
- English
Fleet, 1915
c11.s1.t7.1
In the introduction to Shamasastry's English translation J. F. Fleet observed that the "archaic style" of the *Arthaśāstra* was "well in agreement with the claim" that it belonged to the period 321-296 B.C. To him as to Smith the problem was thus very simple. In his judgment it is but a "common practice of Indian writers" that the "name Kauṭilya figures constantly through the book, especially in places where the author lays down his own views as differing from others which he cites."
c11.s1.t7.2
In the present author's judgment, however, it is rather strange that a writer should constantly name himself in his own book while he has to offer views contrary to those of others. A practice like this would be unthinkable in any country. So far as India is concerned, it is questionable if the practice existed at all. Certainly it was not a "common" practice. It is because of this "mannerism" that confidence in the Kauṭalyan authorship of the *Kauṭalīya Arthaśāstra* receives a rude shock. The passages in question will have to be ascribed to somebody other than Kauṭalya.
c11.s1.t7.3
Fleet refers to "competent judges," without naming any, according to whom "the existing text is perhaps not absolutely word for word that which was written by Kauṭilya." But he has no doubt that here we have essentially a work which was composed by Kauṭalya "in the period stated above."
Linked texts (1)
- Kauṭilīya Arthaśāstra — Kauṭilya, Sanskrit