Chanakya (350 – 275 BCE)

Chanakya was a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist and politician in ancient India. During that time his country was very corrupted. He then brought his own ideas and methods for an ideal government and assisted and learnt his disciple Chandragupta to establish the first Maurya emperor and the powerful Mauryan dynasty. He had an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire.

Chanakya also defeated the army of Alexander the Great at Gandhara (in modern Afghanistan) and forced them to turn back. He wrote the book Arthashastra, a pioneering book on diplomacy, war, law, taxes, prison, industry, trade, administration and other topics. With the help of his ideas and vision the Maurya empire became a model of efficient government.