Political Science · Indian Political Thought
UGC NET 2023 Political Science
According to Kautilya, which among the following are the six methods of foreign policy applied by the would-be conqueror to the elements of his Circle of States? Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
- 1. Making peace
- 2. Remaining non-violent
- 3. Staying quiet
- 4. Seeking support
A1, 2, 3 & 4
B1, 2 & 3
C2, 3 & 4
D1, 3 & 4 ✓ Correct
Correct answer: (D) 1, 3 & 4 — The methods that belong to Kautilya's six-fold policy are making peace, staying quiet and seeking support, so the answer is 1, 3 and 4.
Explanation
★The methods that belong to Kautilya's six-fold policy are making peace, staying quiet and seeking support, so the answer is 1, 3 and 4.
★Kautilya's shadgunya consists of six expedients: Sandhi (making peace), Vigraha (war), Asana (staying neutral or quiet), Yana (marching), Samsraya (seeking support or alliance) and Dvaidhibhava (dual policy).
★Making peace corresponds to Sandhi, the policy a weaker king adopts towards a stronger one.
★Staying quiet corresponds to Asana, a posture of neutrality suited to a king of equal strength.
★Seeking support corresponds to Samsraya, joining hands with those who share one's objectives.
★Remaining non-violent is not one of the shadgunya at all, since Kautilya assumed states are perpetually competing for power, so statement 2 is excluded.
★The would-be conqueror, the Vijigishu, selects among these expedients according to his relative strength within the Mandala circle.
★Kautilya called the would-be conqueror the Vijigishu and held that the king's first act after coronation is to declare an expedition.
★Alongside the six-fold policy, Kautilya gives a fourfold diplomatic method: sama (conciliation), dama (gifts), danda (force) and bheda (dissension).
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