Chanakya

According to tradition, the chief minister of the founder of the Maurya
dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya
(r. 321–297 B.C.E.). As the king’s counsel,
Chanakya became famous for his skill
in statecraft, and is believed to have
been instrumental in establishing the
dynasty. Under the name Kautilya,
Chanakya is also celebrated as
the author of the Arthashastra, the
classic Indian treatise on the strategies
and mechanics of ruthlessly efficient
central government.