The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c16.s2.t2.15

c16.s2.t2.15

Another category in which the doctrine of *sârva-bhauma* is manifest is that of *châturanta*, of which Kautilya⁴ availed himself in order to establish his ideal of imperial nationalism. The *châturanta* state is that whose authority extends up to the remotest *antas* (limits) of the *chatur* (four) quarters. The ruler of such a state *ananyâm prithivîm bhumkte*, i. e., enjoys the whole earth with none to challenge his might. In the *Arthaśâstra*, he is known also as *chakravarti*, for the territory of such a *châturanta* is called *chakravarti kṣetra* (dominion of a *chakravarti*).