Kautilya

According to tradition, Kautilya was the
author of the Arthashastra (“Treatise on
Power”), a text which is a handbook on
the exercise of royal power. The ruler
portrayed in the Arthashastra cares little
for ideals or dreams, but rather is willing
to do whatever is necessary to remain in
power. Aside from his authorship of the
Arthashastra, Kautilya is also identified
as the Machiavellian brahmin minister
who orchestrated Chandragupta
Maurya’s rise to power, but there are
serious doubts that these Kautilyas are
the same person.