It is a fascinating comparative study of Kautilya’s Arthasastra, a controversial work on the science of polity, composed between the fourth century B.C. and the third century A.D. The Arthasastra has already been studied from the angles of politics, economics and sociology. This interesting book deals with Kautilya’s views on morals in general and sexual morality in particular. Here is an effort to evaluate Kautilya’s concepts by comparison or contrast with orthodox and non-orthodox schools of thought in India and elsewhere. This book critically examines his attitude to the basic problems of life. The side range of topics discussed in this book includes with precise details his ideas of Kama or Desire, the relativity of morals, ethics and economics of marriage, divorce, extra-marital relationship, erotic beliefs and practices, prostitution, morals in royal courts and non-monarchical states, among spies, slaves, ascetics, outcasts and impotent persons. This book also deals with the questions of the care of the body and the pleasures of the mind. Lastly, it takes up the problems of the sanctions of morality and its enforcement. This detailed study presents some aspects of the ancient Indian life and society, which have hitherto received scant attention.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Pratap Chandra Chunder
Pratap Chandra Chunder was born in the year 1919. He had a brilliant career with toip places in the B.A. (History Honours), M.A. (Ancient Indian History and Culture) and LL. B. examinations of the Calcutta University. He was awarded D. Phil. in Arts. Dr. Chunder is an attorney-at-law of the Calcutta High Court and an advocate of the Supreme Court of India, and a lecturer in the Calcutta University College of Law. He has been a member of Senate and the Faculty of Law of the Calcutta Univesity (1961-68). Dr. Chunder has been a member of the Executive Council of the Rabindra Bharati University. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly (1962-68) and Finance and Judicial Minister (1968) in West Bengal. He also served the Government of India as a Cabinet Minister in Charge of Education and Social Welfare (1977-80). As the President of the State Congress and member of the Working Committee and the Parliamentary Board of the Indian National Congress, he was active in public affairs. He is the author of many historical novels and dramas, one of which was filmed and another performed on the public stage. He was awarded the best playwright prize by Calcutta University in 1965. On invitation he visited the United States of America, the Soviet Union, the Peoples’ Republic of China and other foreign countries.
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