Whatever helps. Modes of reaction towards calamities in the Arthaśāstra

Activity: Talks and presentationsTalk or oral contributionScience to Science

Description

The foremost objective of the Arthaśāstra (AŚ, 50 BCE – 300 CE) is teaching the king or a prince (i.e., a king in the making) how to successfully do his job: Ruling a country and securing its survival and prosperity. As part of this task, it is the ruler’s responsibility to be prepared to ward of all kinds of calamities – from himself, from his subjects on the individual level, from certain professions during times of distress, likewise from socially and religiously defined segments of society, and from the whole kingdom in case of major disasters. To this end, the work contains a whole section (AŚ 8) on the assessment of various defects (vyasana) of the constituents of a kingdom, including a chapter (AŚ 8.4) on great dangers (mahābhaya), threats like fires, floods, droughts, and epidemics. Additionally, there are many suggestions and exemption clauses, that shall facilitate survival of the subjects in times of distress, and one more chapter enumerating practical countermeasures for natural and other disasters (AŚ 4.3).
In this talk, I will focus on the modes of reaction that were available to the king according to the Arthaśastra. What measures could he fall back on in the event of crisis? Which red lines must not be crossed under any circumstances? What fell in the king’s own responsibility and which tasks could he delegate? Which experts were available and could be consulted or mobilised? Were there certain taboos, or people and powers that should not be made use of in solving the crisis? How far does the alleged utilitarianism of the Arthaśāstra go when faced with calamities?
Period11 Sept 2024
Event titleCalamities and Countermeasures in Pre-modern South Asia
Event typeSeminar/Workshop
LocationWien, AustriaShow on map

Keywords

  • Crisis Management
  • kingship
  • dharma