Q. Who was the author of Arthasastra?
Answer: Kautilya
Notes: The Arthasastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy which identifies its author by the names ‘Kautilya’ and ‘Vishnaugupta’, both names that are traditionally identified with Chanakya (c. 350–283 BC), who was a scholar ar at Takshashila and the teacher and guardian of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of Mauryan Empire. Because of its harsh political pragmatism, the Arthasastra has often been compared to Machiavelli’s The Prince.