The Positive Background of Hindu Sociology c11.s1.t7.1

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."