Town Planning and Public Administration - Arthashastra By Radhakrishnan Pillai

 

Background of Kautilya’s Arthashastra
Kautilya (also known as Chanakya and Vishnugupta) has done a massive contribution to humanity through his famous work named Kautilya’s Arthashastra written in 350 BC i.e. nearly 2400 years ago. He is well known as a strategist, and expert in political science, Law and order, crime detection, town planning as well as good governance.

This book’s principles and strategies were studied, applied and practiced by rulers for many centuries namely Chandragupta Maurya, Emperor Ashoka, Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj amongst others.

The following paper throws light on a few areas of Town Planning, public facilities, maintenance of Law and order and as it is applicable in today’s world.

FOUNDATIONS OF ARTHASHASTRA
The central theme of Kautilya’s Arthashastra is:

“Prajasukhe Sukham Raja, Prajacha Hite Hitam..”

“In the happiness of the subjects lies the benefit of the king and in what is beneficial to the subjects is his own benefit” – (1.19.34)

Kautilya believed that good governance comes from understanding the benefit of the citizens. Even kings are adviced to take into consideration this aspect before they get into any decision making process. In the well being of its citizens and in their happiness lies the benefit and the happiness of the ruler, advices Kautilya.

Find below a few areas which may be beneficial to NGOs, social workers, public servants and decision makers.

NEW SETTLEMENTS
Kautilya visualizes the expansion of the state into new settlements and makes provisions to help them settle in new places and also financially help them with facilities for easy payments.

“He (the king/ruler) should favour them with grains, cattle and money. These they should pay back afterwards at their convenience” (2.1.13-14)

Application in today’s scenario
Today every town is getting over crowded due to rapid population growth. The government should make policies and strategies either to encourage reverse migration to villages or look out for new land where the population can stay rather than getting concentrated in one place. In order to encourage them, they should be provided with the basic raw materials needed to start new industries which should be given at low interest rates, tax benefits and easy repayment schemes.

2. PROVISION OF WATER
Water is life. All living creatures depend on water. Hence settlement of people is directly connected with the availability of water. Hence Kautilya recommends,

“Storage reservoirs were to be built using natural springs or water brought from elsewhere” (2.1.20)

Application in today’s scenario
Wastage of water should be totally prevented. Schemes like Rain water harvesting, building of public water reservoirs should be implemented. Especially in the rainy season plans should be made at local level to store water for the whole year. The public should be made aware of the need of controlling water wastage.

3. BUILDING ROADS
Roads are the lifeline of any nation. Building of roads, connecting the same to the remotest corner and also maintaining its beauty is of prime importance to Kautilya.

“The king was also to help people volunteering to build reservoirs by giving them land, building roads, or by giving them grants timber and other implements (2..1.21)

The king was also supposed to directly help the people to get better connectivity by providing them required raw materials used for this particular purpose.

Application in today’s scenario
The government should give emphasis on building and maintaining good roads. We see that this public property is being misused by hawkers in a big way. Local authorities have to take strict action against such persons. The public support also has to be taken for this purpose.

4. VOLUNTARY SERVICES WAS APPRECIATED
Kautilya specifically states that people shall obey the orders of anyone who brings about an activity in which there lies everyone benefit. Good local leaders who voluntarily bring out new projects and initiatives have to be encouraged. And pubic should obey the words of such leaders who work for the benefit of all.

“They shall obey the orders of one who proposes what is beneficial to all” (3.10.39)

Application in today’s scenario
We find that the local leaders, especially the youth, are very conscious of their commitment to preservation of public places and utilities. Youngsters should be encouraged to take active interest in such work. Instead of discouraging them they should be encouraged by giving training and necessary powers to take corrective actions at the local level. More and more volunteers should be called forward to take such initiatives under the guidance of able local leaders.

5. CONSUMER PROTECTION
Consumer protection is another area which receives elaborate treatment from Kautilya. Black marketing, adulteration, manipulation in selling goods is highly discouraged. Preventive actions need to be taken.

“The king should prevent thieves and thieves such as traders, artisans, actors, mendicants, jugglers and other from oppressing the country” (4.1.65)

“Fine is prescribed for cheating the consumer” (4.1.28)

Application in today’s scenario
Direct thieves (who conduct robbery) and indirect thieves like traders (who sell goods above the prescribed MRP), artisans (who over charge the customers), mendicants (who cheat the public in name of superstition); jugglers (gamblers) should be discouraged. Usually these kinds of people have a direct or indirect connection with the enemies of the nation. This will finally lead to the loss for the country. Hence strict action should be taken against them.

6. CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Crisis management is another area in which we find Kautilya was a master mind especially during the natural calamities.

“Distribution of food at concessional rate to public, seeking the help of friendly kings, shifting the people to neighborhood, migration and additional cultivation of coping with the emergency” (4.3.17-20)

Application in today’s scenario
Whenever any natural calamity (like floods, earthquakes etc) occurs immediately everyone has to get into action. Support from neighboring places should be asked. If necessary shifting of the public should also be done in order to get quicker relief work done.

7. CIVIC AMENITIES AND COMMON FACILITIES
A lot of emphasis has been laid down to provide and protect pubic amenities in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.

“Shades, courtyards, latrines, fire places, places for pounding grain and open spaces were to be used as common properties” (3.8.28)

Application in today’s scenario
The common public needs to be provided with public amenities and facilities like shades, natural surroundings, latrines, warm places and open areas like playground and gardens in order to have better health and hygienic conditions for the welfare of one and all.
8. ATTENDING TO PUBLIC PROBLEMS
Kautilya explicitly states that a king should be accessible to his petitioners and should not make-them wait at the door for the redressal of their genuine grievances.

“He (leader) should allow unrestricted entrance to those wishing to see him in connection with their affairs” (1.19.26)

Application in today’s scenario
Government servants, Public administrators need to have an open door policy. Many key decisions get delayed either due to wrong or due to lack of information. This can be solved by letting people come and express their problems directly to the concerned authorities. Moreover it will help people to feel more safe and comfortable while dealing with government officials.

9. KEEPING REGULAR INSPECTION
No rule can be fully beneficial if regular inspections are not conducted and reports are not been monitored. Hence Kautilya suggests that,

“He (leader) should constantly hold an inspection of their works, men being inconstant in their minds” (2.9.2-3)

Application in today’s scenario
It is quite natural for a person to slip into complacency if the boss does not take regular inspection. Over a period of time the work is taken for granted. Hence strict daily and hourly productivity records have to be maintained. A good MIS (Management information system) has to be produced. Only then can we have an efficient system.

10. ART OF PUNISHMENT
Another name of Kautilya’s Arthashastra is Dandaniti, meaning the book on the - Art of Punishment.

“If the rod is not used at all the stronger swallows the weak in the absence of the wielder of the Rod” (1.4.13-14)

“The king severe with rod (punishment) becomes a terror. A king with mild rod is despised. The king just with the rod is honored” (1.4.8-10)

Application in today’s scenario
If strict action is not taken the law of the jungle will prevail in any place. However the leader should not become a terror with his punishment. At the same time he should not become too soft. The punishment should be just and balanced. Such a punishment and punisher is always respected. Only if punishment is carried out will there be seriousness in the work. If not slowly corruption will set into the whole system.

CONCLUSION
Kautilya’s Arthashastra is one book that is applicable even in today’s world. The principles in the book are eternal. Our country can once again use this text as a roadmap to rebuild a model town which is the dream of every citizen by providing them the basic necessity of life. This should be supported by an effective Law and order machinery. It will help each individual to feel safe, secure and also contribute to the nation building process.

References:
1. Kautilya’s Arthashastra by R.P. Kangle published by Motilal Banarasidas
2. Common public facilities envisaged in Arthashastra : C Rajendran (Paper presented at the seminar organised in Pune, by Sahitya Akademi in Collaboration with Centre of Advanced study in Sanskrit University of Pune 29-31st jan 1996)
3. Corporate Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai, Published by Jaico.

Article Courtesy: https://www.esamskriti.com/e/History/Great-Indian-Leaders/Town-Planning-and-Public-Administration-~-Arthashastra-1.aspx