Chandragupta Maurya overthrew the Nanda dynasty with the help of Chanakya, who was also known as:

Chanakya, the teacher and chief minister of Chandragupta Maurya, was also known as Vishnugupta and Kautilya.

About Chanakya:

• "Vishnugupta" is said to have been his personal name.
• "Chanakya" may come from his father's name (Chanaka) or his place of origin (Chanaka village).
• "Kautilya" may come from his gotra (Kutala) or from the word "kutila" (crafty), referring to his political skill.
• He was a Brahmana scholar who was a teacher at Takshashila (Taxila), according to tradition.
• According to legend, he was insulted at the court of the last Nanda king and vowed to destroy the Nanda dynasty.
• He found the young Chandragupta, trained him, and guided him in building an army.
• Together they overthrew the Nandas and established the Maurya dynasty around 321 BCE.
• He served as Chandragupta's chief adviser and minister.

His work:

He is traditionally regarded as the author of the "Arthashastra", a famous treatise on statecraft, economics, administration, law, diplomacy and war.

The Arthashastra was rediscovered in 1905 and published by R. Shamasastry.

Some scholars believe that the present text was compiled over a long period and may include additions made after the Mauryan age.

His ideas:

• The king should work for the welfare of his people; "in the happiness of the subjects lies the happiness of the king".
• He described the "Saptanga" (seven limbs) of the state.
• He stressed the importance of spies, diplomacy and a strong treasury.
• He is sometimes compared to the Italian thinker Machiavelli, for his practical approach to politics.
• "Chanakya Niti" is a collection of sayings attributed to him.

Honours today:

The diplomatic enclave in New Delhi is named "Chanakyapuri".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Vatsyayana wrote the Kamasutra.
• ✗Varahamihira was an astronomer.
• ✗Vishakhadatta was a dramatist.