Management practices from Indian scriptures

Relevance of Chanakya

The world of Management is full of different theories based on academic research and practical success achieved by various companies in the western world since 18^th century. With the changing context, post financial meltdown in the western part of the world, innovative approaches are being developed and practiced for sustainable and profitable growth. Basic principles remain at the core for any new practice. However, value and knowledge based management practices from the eastern part of the world are standing out.

On going through the pages of historical references, we find that Arya Chanakya in his treatise on political economics. Kautilya’s Arthashastra has unfolded pearls of wisdom about managing a kingdom. He was a mentor and a guide who had a very clear vision.  He was a force who drove Mauryan Emperor to expand his empire to the breadth and width of pre’47 India. If we change the context from King and his empire to CEO and global conglomerate of business in the flat world of today, the principles are directly applicable. Arya Chanakya was not only an Advisor to Chandragupta Maurya but he was a visionary leader responsible for developing Strategies that succeeded in terms of building a sustainable empire against the threats from foreign aggression. While developing concept of a village as the smallest unit for de-centralized control and empowerment, he has applied the basic principles of management and Inclusive Philosophy in the year 300 B.C.

When global economy is suffering due to major recession that was caused because of deviated priorities of developed economies, we find references in the political treatise of Arya Chanakya about principles of governance that have to be followed by the king and the team of his ministers that would help in sustainable growth. The principles are universal and are applicable even today in the field of management apart from politics. We find that Arya Chanakya was an apostle for management strategies. He has identified seven pillars for a stable kingdom. If we relate those seven pillars by translating them into seven elements that can strengthen the growth oriented sustainable organization, we have a treasure of management wisdom.

The applications of his principles and philosophy that we find amongst successful global companies, give us the confidence that a research based study supported with cases, can bring clarity on the subject of “Indian Management”.

Many attempts have been made to understand and share the basic principles elaborated in “Political Economic’ and Chanakya Niti propounded by Arya Chanakya. However, there has not been an attempt to relate it to business world of today to bring clarity and help in application for business management.

After 2000 years, Arya Chanakya shines as a great management thinker and a strategist who practiced the principles and then wrote them in codified form. “Political Economics” present the essence for knowledge based successful management that is expected to prevail in 21^st century. 


In the next post you will be able to get the overview of the treasure hunt that we will follow through this series of articles.