The only extant treatise on statecraft from classical India, The Arthasastra is an invaluable resource for understanding ancient South Asian political thought; it also provides a comprehensive and unparalleled panoramic view of Indian society during the period between the Maurya (320–185 BCE) and Gupta (320–497 CE) empires. This volume offers modern English translations of key selections, organized thematically, from The Arthasastra.