Arthashastra on Finances:

                According to Chanakya’s Arthashastra, “All undertakings depend on finance. Hence, foremost attention shall be paid to treasury.” In his book, apart from describing the duties and conduct of a king, Chanakya also describes the duties of a Chamberlain or treasurer, the superintendent of the mint, and the superintendent of the gold. He describes penalties to be doled out to offenders to the government treasury, in the form of monetary fines. Kautilya also describes the values of grains and other commodities. He leaves no form of income unexplored. In addition, he also diligently listed the qualities of silver, gold, diamonds, and other gems and insisted that their quality, purity and the authenticity should always be assured. This treatise gives insights on geology, agriculture, animal husbandry and metrology. According to Chanakya and as per his best work, most of the business including mining should be carried out by the state.  The existence of the book indicates that all these sciences were quite developed and systematized in India 2500 years ago. Arthashastra on Mines: Arthashastra gives detailed information on mines, minerals and metals. The way Chanakya describes each and every facet of mines, minerals and metals, proves that the Indians were concerned in this regard even in that age. In the treatise, Chanakya asserts that “Mines are the very source from which springs all temporal power for the strength of government and the earth, whose ornament is the treasury, which is acquired by means of treasury”.  Chanakya’s Arthashastra is a promising guide to change each and every passing moment of life.