The Arthasastra is the foundational text of Indic political thought. By analyzing its early history, Mark McClish overturns prevailing beliefs that ancient India was governed by religion and shows that this text originally espoused a political philosophy characterized by empiricism and pragmatism, ignoring the sacred mandate of dharma altogether.
Mark McClish challenges the dominant view that ancient India was primarily ruled by religious principles by examining the early history of the Arthaśāstra. His analysis reveals that political strategies and governance played a significant role in shaping society, offering a fresh perspective on the interplay between politics and religion in ancient Indian governance.