Classification of Weapons and Military Technology in Kautilya’s Arthashastra: A Textual Analysis

Abstract

The Arthashastra of Kautilya is widely recognized as a foundational text for understanding ancient Indian statecraft, administration, and political strategy. While modern historical studies have thoroughly examined its diplomatic and organizational theories, the text’s highly technical documentation of physical warfare and military engineering has received much less attention. This paper explores the systematic classification of military equipment detailed in Book II, Chapter 18 of the Arthashastra, which describes the duties of the Superintendent of the Armory. By synthesizing the translations of Vachaspati Gairola and L.N. Rangarajan, and contextualizing them against the historical military frameworks provided by P.C. Chakravarti and V.R. Ramachandra Dikshitar, this study decodes ancient mechanical engines, archery mechanics, piercing weapons, and metallurgical armor. The findings indicate that the Mauryan state operated a highly organized military complex rooted in practical material science, labor management, and mechanical engineering. This technical analysis provides an evidence-based contribution to the broader study of Indian Knowledge Systems.