ChanakyaChanakya ( (चाणक्यचाणक्य))One of the greatest philosophers One of the greatest philosophers

in the history of mankind.in the history of mankind.

General InformationGeneral Information Born around 350 BC and died around 283 BCBorn around 350 BC and died around 283 BC Name at birth was Vishnugupta but was later Name at birth was Vishnugupta but was later

known as Chknown as Chāānakya and Kautilyanakya and Kautilya Born in Patliputra, Maghadh which is currently Born in Patliputra, Maghadh which is currently

Patna, Bihar in India Patna, Bihar in India Teacher of political science at Taxila Teacher of political science at Taxila

UniversityUniversity Later became Prime Minister of Emperor Later became Prime Minister of Emperor

Chandragupta MauryaChandragupta Maurya

Childhood and EducationChildhood and Education Vishnugupta was born to Rishi Chanak in Vishnugupta was born to Rishi Chanak in

Patliputra who was a revolutionary against Patliputra who was a revolutionary against the evil emperor of Magadh. Chanak was the evil emperor of Magadh. Chanak was exiled after publicly speaking out against the exiled after publicly speaking out against the king. Vishnugupta left soon after to study at king. Vishnugupta left soon after to study at the famous Taxila University.the famous Taxila University.

Taxila was the best University of the time and Taxila was the best University of the time and offered education in many different fields.offered education in many different fields.

Life in TaxilaLife in Taxila After completing his education, Vishnugupta After completing his education, Vishnugupta

became a professor at the Taxila University. became a professor at the Taxila University. Here he got the names Chanakya and Here he got the names Chanakya and Kautilya due to his fame and wits.Kautilya due to his fame and wits.

Gandhar Republic attacked Taxila because Gandhar Republic attacked Taxila because the dim-witted prince of Taxila sent soldiers the dim-witted prince of Taxila sent soldiers to the border to abuse and torture the people to the border to abuse and torture the people living there.living there.

Taxila was defeated in no time but Porus, the Taxila was defeated in no time but Porus, the king of Gandhar, demanded that king of Gandhar, demanded that Gandharians not be attacked again and left Gandharians not be attacked again and left without taking or destroying anything.without taking or destroying anything.

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great Before Taxila could recover from being defeated, Before Taxila could recover from being defeated,

thousands of refugees came into Taxila saying that thousands of refugees came into Taxila saying that there was a white invader by the name of Alexshendra there was a white invader by the name of Alexshendra who was planning on attacking India.who was planning on attacking India.

The dim-witted prince of Taxila became friends with The dim-witted prince of Taxila became friends with Alexander when he arrived and gave him soldiers and Alexander when he arrived and gave him soldiers and money to support his planned conquests.money to support his planned conquests.

When Chanakya heard about his he immediately When Chanakya heard about his he immediately turned the school into a war training station and turned the school into a war training station and rebeled against the Greeks. Chanakya created his rebeled against the Greeks. Chanakya created his own army and an impressive system of spies to own army and an impressive system of spies to destroy the Greeks. Alexander conquered many destroy the Greeks. Alexander conquered many kingdoms before he left India. While traveling back to kingdoms before he left India. While traveling back to Greece, he died. The general he had left in India was Greece, he died. The general he had left in India was killed by a spy acting as a messenger. The Greek rule killed by a spy acting as a messenger. The Greek rule in India collapsed and Bharat (India) was free again.in India collapsed and Bharat (India) was free again.

ChandraguptaChandragupta After defeating the Greeks Chanakya returned to his After defeating the Greeks Chanakya returned to his

homeland, Patliputra. One day, while walking on the homeland, Patliputra. One day, while walking on the road he stepped on some thorns. He controlled his road he stepped on some thorns. He controlled his anger, bent down and destroyed every one of the anger, bent down and destroyed every one of the thorns.thorns.

The prime minister who had recently been insulted by The prime minister who had recently been insulted by the tyrannical Dhananand (the king) saw this event the tyrannical Dhananand (the king) saw this event and thought that such a determined man could help and thought that such a determined man could help him get his revenge. He then took Chanakya to the him get his revenge. He then took Chanakya to the king’s court. The king laughed and made fun of him. king’s court. The king laughed and made fun of him. Chanakya swore to destroy the king and his sons for Chanakya swore to destroy the king and his sons for that insult.that insult.

The prime minister recommended that Dhananand’s The prime minister recommended that Dhananand’s eldest son Chandragupta would be fit to rule. His eldest son Chandragupta would be fit to rule. His father and eight brothers had repeatedly tried to kill father and eight brothers had repeatedly tried to kill him because his mother was of low-caste and he was him because his mother was of low-caste and he was extremely strong and intelligent.extremely strong and intelligent.

Defeat of MagadhDefeat of Magadh Chanakya went around telling peasants and Chanakya went around telling peasants and

common folk that Magadh needed to be in common folk that Magadh needed to be in stronger hands and not under the rule of the stronger hands and not under the rule of the tyrannous Dhanananda.tyrannous Dhanananda.

Chandragupta gathered a huge militia in this Chandragupta gathered a huge militia in this way. While he was doing this, Chanakya way. While he was doing this, Chanakya persuaded a greedy King called Parvatak to persuaded a greedy King called Parvatak to help because Chanakya assured him half of help because Chanakya assured him half of Magadh.Magadh.

Chandragupta’s army attacked and defeated Chandragupta’s army attacked and defeated the army of Magadh with Chanakya’s guidance.the army of Magadh with Chanakya’s guidance.

RakshasRakshas Dhananad’s chief minister Rakshas was still trying to Dhananad’s chief minister Rakshas was still trying to

avenge his master’s death. He met with Parvatak avenge his master’s death. He met with Parvatak (The king Chanakya promised half his land) and (The king Chanakya promised half his land) and convinced the king to help him by promising him the convinced the king to help him by promising him the entire kingdom of Magadh.entire kingdom of Magadh.

Chandragupta became sick so Rakshas bribed the Chandragupta became sick so Rakshas bribed the physician to put poison in the medicine. Chanakya physician to put poison in the medicine. Chanakya made the physician drink the medicine himself and in made the physician drink the medicine himself and in this way Chandragupta was saved.this way Chandragupta was saved.

A few weeks later, Chandragupta was being moved to A few weeks later, Chandragupta was being moved to the former palace of Dhananand. Rakshas planted the former palace of Dhananand. Rakshas planted soldiers in the cellars to kill Chandragupta at night.soldiers in the cellars to kill Chandragupta at night.

Chanakya saw ants coming from a crack in the floor Chanakya saw ants coming from a crack in the floor carrying grains of rice during his inspection and carrying grains of rice during his inspection and immediately realized that there were soldiers in the immediately realized that there were soldiers in the basement. He ordered the guards to burn the palace basement. He ordered the guards to burn the palace immediately and not to let anyone escape.immediately and not to let anyone escape.

RakshasRakshas Rakshas was very angry after many of his warriors were Rakshas was very angry after many of his warriors were

burned but he didn’t give up. He sent a poisonous burned but he didn’t give up. He sent a poisonous dancerdancer to Chandragupta to kill him. Chanakya to Chandragupta to kill him. Chanakya immediately recognized the “dancer” and sent her to immediately recognized the “dancer” and sent her to King Parvatak yo kill himKing Parvatak yo kill him

Rakshas then allied with Parvatak’s son Malyaketu and Rakshas then allied with Parvatak’s son Malyaketu and 5 other kings to attack Magadh. To break this alliance, 5 other kings to attack Magadh. To break this alliance, Chanakya’s spies saved Rakshas’s friend and took him Chanakya’s spies saved Rakshas’s friend and took him to Rakshas. As payment for this favor, Rakshas let the to Rakshas. As payment for this favor, Rakshas let the spy stay with him.spy stay with him.

The same night, the spy let himself be caught near The same night, the spy let himself be caught near Mlayaketu’s tent. He was carrying a fake letter from Mlayaketu’s tent. He was carrying a fake letter from Rakshas telling Chandragupta that he and the five kings Rakshas telling Chandragupta that he and the five kings were going to betray him. When he read this he killed were going to betray him. When he read this he killed the five other kings and only let Rakshas go because he the five other kings and only let Rakshas go because he was a Brahmin. Chanakya then met Rakshas and made was a Brahmin. Chanakya then met Rakshas and made him the prime minister of Magadh because he admired him the prime minister of Magadh because he admired Rakshas’s loyalty and determination.Rakshas’s loyalty and determination.

GiftsGiftsHow Chanakya’s gifts helped him How Chanakya’s gifts helped him

achieve his goals.achieve his goals.

Special Gifts and AbilitiesSpecial Gifts and Abilities Chanakya was amazing at guessing his enemy’s Chanakya was amazing at guessing his enemy’s

every move and never once did he fail to predict every move and never once did he fail to predict his enemy’s doings. He was also very good at his enemy’s doings. He was also very good at persuasion. (defeating Rakshas)persuasion. (defeating Rakshas)

Chanakya was very good at spy work and Chanakya was very good at spy work and managing spy-systems and conducting managing spy-systems and conducting unexpected attacks on his enemies (defeat of the unexpected attacks on his enemies (defeat of the Greeks)Greeks)

Chanakya was a great political philosopher who Chanakya was a great political philosopher who wrote the Arthashastra and Nitishastra. He has wrote the Arthashastra and Nitishastra. He has been called the Indian Machiavelli for his works.been called the Indian Machiavelli for his works.

Chanakya vs. MachiavelliChanakya vs. Machiavelli Both were political philosophersBoth were political philosophers Machiavelli’s works are based on how to Machiavelli’s works are based on how to

maintain control while Chanakya’s works talk maintain control while Chanakya’s works talk about basic principles and what is an ideal about basic principles and what is an ideal ruler.ruler.

Both men’s works related to their respective Both men’s works related to their respective time periods but they still have some basic time periods but they still have some basic things in common.things in common.

Chanakya used his principles and defeated Chanakya used his principles and defeated the Greeks and Maghada while Machiavelli the Greeks and Maghada while Machiavelli didn’t defeat any government or empire.didn’t defeat any government or empire.

AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsThe many great things Chanakya The many great things Chanakya

accomplished in his lifetime.accomplished in his lifetime.

UnitingUniting IndiaIndia Chanakya was the person who thought of the plans Chanakya was the person who thought of the plans

to defeat Alexander out of India. To accomplish to defeat Alexander out of India. To accomplish this, he united different kingdoms to fight against this, he united different kingdoms to fight against the Greeks which was a very rare occurrence.the Greeks which was a very rare occurrence.

He also thought of the plans to take over his He also thought of the plans to take over his homeland, Magadh, from the tyrannical rule of the homeland, Magadh, from the tyrannical rule of the Nand Dynasty and handed it over to his main Nand Dynasty and handed it over to his main apprentice, Chandragupta Maurya. Under apprentice, Chandragupta Maurya. Under Chanakya’s guidance, Chandragupta created a Chanakya’s guidance, Chandragupta created a huge empire unititig most of India by using huge empire unititig most of India by using Magadh’s enormous military force and wealth. This Magadh’s enormous military force and wealth. This later became the great Ashokan Empire and for the later became the great Ashokan Empire and for the first time in it’s history, India was a united nation.first time in it’s history, India was a united nation.

Major Works by ChanakyaMajor Works by Chanakya The Arthashastra is a treatise on The Arthashastra is a treatise on

statecraft, economic policy and military statecraft, economic policy and military strategy written by Chanakya. It is divided strategy written by Chanakya. It is divided into 15 books and is basically a king’s into 15 books and is basically a king’s “manual” on how to run a kingdom.“manual” on how to run a kingdom.

The Nitishastra is a book about political The Nitishastra is a book about political ethics taken from various Shastras and ethics taken from various Shastras and compiled by Chanakya and is also useful compiled by Chanakya and is also useful when running a government.when running a government.

Excerpt from ArthashastraExcerpt from Arthashastra A debt should be paid off till the last penny, and A debt should be paid off till the last penny, and

an enemy should be destroyed without a trace. an enemy should be destroyed without a trace. A human being should strive for four things in life A human being should strive for four things in life

— — dharmadharma (duty), (duty), arthaartha (money), (money), kamakama (pleasure) and (pleasure) and mokshamoksha (salvation). A person (salvation). A person who hasn't striven for even one of these things who hasn't striven for even one of these things has wasted life. has wasted life.

A man is great by deeds, not by birth. A man is great by deeds, not by birth. A person should not be too honest. Just as A person should not be too honest. Just as

straight trees are chopped-down first, honest straight trees are chopped-down first, honest people are taken advantage of first.people are taken advantage of first.

Friendship should be among equals . Friendship should be among equals .

ImpactImpact In India, Chanakya is held as a intelligent scholar In India, Chanakya is held as a intelligent scholar

who rid India of the Greeks and killed the bad and who rid India of the Greeks and killed the bad and tyrannous kings of the time and gave way to the tyrannous kings of the time and gave way to the Ashokan Empire. His books are also very Ashokan Empire. His books are also very esteemed and have helped many people operate esteemed and have helped many people operate businesses and even governments.businesses and even governments.

In the west, however, scholars view him as a In the west, however, scholars view him as a malicious but genius Brahmin who ruthlessly malicious but genius Brahmin who ruthlessly slaughtered and overthrew kings to put himself in slaughtered and overthrew kings to put himself in power. This of course is not true but is the cause of power. This of course is not true but is the cause of misinformation from the British.misinformation from the British.

In his time he became very famous and liked after In his time he became very famous and liked after defeating the Greeks but after defeating Magadh, defeating the Greeks but after defeating Magadh, many commoners and nobles loyal to the Nand many commoners and nobles loyal to the Nand Dynasty wanted revenge.Dynasty wanted revenge.

Comparison of Chanakya’s life to Comparison of Chanakya’s life to my ownmy own

In Chanakya’s life there were hundreds of In Chanakya’s life there were hundreds of different kingdoms and it was very unsafe different kingdoms and it was very unsafe to travel because of dacoits and princes to travel because of dacoits and princes who liked to torture peoplewho liked to torture people

In my life there aren’t any evil kings or In my life there aren’t any evil kings or foreign invaders that I have to be scared foreign invaders that I have to be scared of or fight against.of or fight against.

If Chanakya was still alive…If Chanakya was still alive…

If Chanakya was still alive I wouldn’t be If Chanakya was still alive I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire earth would be a surprised if the entire earth would be a super country with its government in India.super country with its government in India.

I also think that there would be very less I also think that there would be very less wars and only “ideal” rulers according to wars and only “ideal” rulers according to the Arthashastra would be allowed in the Arthashastra would be allowed in office.office.

SourcesSources Microsoft Encarta 2004Microsoft Encarta 2004 Amar Chitra Katha: ChanakyaAmar Chitra Katha: Chanakya http://www.researchfellow.net/fpost131.htmlhttp://www.researchfellow.net/fpost131.html http://www.worldofbiography.com/9046-Chanakya/gallery.htmhttp://www.worldofbiography.com/9046-Chanakya/gallery.htm

Chandra Prakash Dwivedi’s “Chanakya”Chandra Prakash Dwivedi’s “Chanakya”

TimelineTimeline

11/18/07 – Sources Found11/18/07 – Sources Found 11/25/07 – PPT started11/25/07 – PPT started 12/9/07 – Finish content12/9/07 – Finish content 12/16/07 – Finalize and animate12/16/07 – Finalize and animate