Troubles of the King and his Kingdom

Troubles of the King and his Kingdom which form chapter I of Book VIII in Arthashastra highlights that the king and his kingdom which form the primary elements of the state usually face troubles from external as well as internal factors, among which trouble faced due to the minister is of greater concern as the minister is a vital part of internal administration than any other external factors. As such Kautilya advises the king to keep in his control the power of the army as well as the finance.

Troubles of the King and his Kingdom suggest s the king to secure his kingdom from the external attack which shall establish foreign rule in the nation. The foreign rule which exists due to the divide and rule by the two kings, which has resulted due to mutual hatred, partiality and rivalry, not only seizes the country from its still alive king but also impoverishes the country, carries off its wealth, treats the nation as a commercial commodity finally abandons the nation with plunder of wealth.

Troubles of the King and his Kingdom further suggest the troubles caused by the corrupt king to the kingdom. In case of choosing between the blind and the king erring against science, Kautilya prefers a blind king who could be adhered to do whatever he is supposed to do with the help of his supporters whereas in case of a king who is erring against the science shall prove to be more harmful than others as all his act are deliberate and planned. In case of diseased king or a new king Kautilya prefers a diseased king who continues to function as usual but a new king introduces new steps according to his wishes which are innovative and unchecked. As such the effect of such policy definitely remains prone to trouble. Again among the kings Kautilya differentiates between the high born king and the low born king. According to Kautilya the people shall like to obey the high born king instead of the other. Hence there should be high born king with larger support than his counterpart.

Thus Troubles of the King and his Kingdom mainly includes destruction of crops which can be both natural as well as man made as; and destruction of the kingdom caused by war which are manmade factors . Kautilya advises the king to prohibit this kind of destructions as much as it can.