In this Article, We would like to learn about Kautilya and his Saptang Theory of States. As we know that Kautilya was a famous Acharya of Takshashila and he had a major contribution in the establishment of Maurya Empire. Saptang Theory of State was propounded by Kautilya and tells about seven main organ of a state.
Kautilya
Kautilya was the Guru of Chandragupta Maurya “The founder of the Maurya Empire” and was the Acharya of Takshashila. He had a major contribution in the establishment of the Maurya Empire. Kautilya was born in 375 B.C and died in 283 D.C. Kautilya is famous for “Arthashastra“.
Kautilya’s Saptang Theory of State
Saptanga theory was propounded by Kautilya. In this principle, Kautilya has described about the seven parts of the state. Just as the functions of different parts of the body are different, in the same way there are different parts of the state which have different functions.
According to Kautilya the seven parts of the state are as follows
i) King
ii) Amatya
iii) Janpad ( District)
iv) Durg or Fort
v) treasury or wealth
vi) Army
vii) friend
1. King
Kautilya has considered the king as the most important part of the state. According to him, the king should be sober, tolerant, prudent, hardworking, visionary, noble, healthy, endowed with intellectual qualities and expert in the art of war. The king should neither be subordinate nor bound by any external rule.
2. Amatya or Minister
Kautilya compared Amatya to the eye. As the eyes are important for the body, in the same way Amatya is important for the king. Amatya should be clever, enthusiastic, intelligent, loyal to the state, expert in the art of war and a devotee of the lord.
3. Janpad or district
People’s land is called district, that is, district is formed by people and land. According to Kautilya, the territory of a state should be fertile so that it can feed the people of its state and generate employment. Kautilya has considered Janapada as the third most important part of a state.
4. Durg or Fort
As the hands protect a person from various dangers, in the same way, the fort protects the state. In the Saptang theory, Kautilya has discussed four types of forts.
Such a fort which is surrounded by water from all sides is called an Audik fort. The fort which has mountains or rocks all around it is called a mountain fort. The fort which has desert around it is called Dhanvan fort. The fort which was surrounded by forests, bushes etc., was called the forest fort.
Also Read Muslim Invasion of India Best 10
5. Treasury or wealth
Without wealth, the operation of the state is impossible. For the prosperity of the state, the king should increase the treasury of the state. It is necessary to keep the treasury full of gold, silver, diamond and cash so that the king takes care of his people and army properly and uses them during war.
6. Army
Kautilya advised the king to keep a permanent army. Kautilya considered the army as the sixth most important organ. Kautilya had advocated hereditary recruitment in the army. With this, military skills will continue to grow from generation to generation, At least Kautilya believed so.
7. Allies
The king’s friend should be strong, fearless, trustworthy. The king whose friends are cowardly, useless and greedy, his destruction is certain.
Multiple Choice Questions
Q1. Which of the following is the seventh part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) The King
b) Minister
c) Army
d) Allies
Q2. Which of the following is the first part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a)The King
b) Minister
c) Army
d) Fort
Q3. Which of the following is the Second part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) Allies
b) Minister
c) Treasury
d) Territory
Q4. Which of the following is the third part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) Minister
b) Territory
c) Fort
d) Treasury
Q5. Which of the following is the fourth part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) Fort
b) Treasury
c) Army
d) Allies
Also Read NATIONAL PARKS OF INDIA 2023
Q6. Which of the following is the fifth part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) Allies
b) Army
c) Treasury
d) Fort
Q7. Which of the following is the sixth part of the state according to Saptang theory of state?
a) Minister
b) Territory
c) Fort
d) Army
Q8. Saptang theory of state was first introduced in…?
a) Mudrarakshasa
b) Arthashastra
c) Thirukkural
d) Malvikagnimitram
Q9. Which of the following is not a part of Kautilya’s Saptang theory?
i) Allies
ii) Minister
iii) Fort
iv) Queen
Q10. Kautilya was in the favor’s of…?
i) Democracy
ii) Monarchy
iii) both
iv) Communism
Also Read Commonwealth Games Quiz 2022