Kautilya

Kautilya (c. 370–283 bce) was an ancient Indian polymath, strategist and statesman. Born in Magadha, India, he served as chief advisor to Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan Empire.

Kautilya’s seminal work, Arthashastra, remains a foundational text on politics, economics and statecraft. His innovative ideas on governance, diplomacy and warfare continue to influence scholars and policymakers worldwide.