Question

Chanakya was also known as ________
(A) Kautilya
(B) Pataliputra
(C) Kujalakadphisus
(D) Chandragupta

Answer 1

Hint:
Traditionally, he is referred to as Vishnugupta, who wrote the ancient Indian historical treatise, the Arthashastra, a text dating from around the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE.

Complete answer:
Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnugupta (flourished 300 BCE), Hindu statesman and philosopher who wrote a classic treatise on politics, Artha-shastra ("The Science of Material Gain"), a list of almost everything written in India up to his time on artha-gain (property, economics, or material success). He was born into a Brahman family and educated in Taxila (now in Pakistan). He is known to have had an understanding of medicine and astrology, and it is assumed that Zoroastrians were acquainted with elements of Greek and Persian learning brought into India. Some authorities assume that he was a Zoroastrian, or at least that faith greatly inspired him. Chanakya became a tutor and assistant to Chandragupta (reigned c. 321-c. 297), but lived by himself, the father of the Mauryan empire of northern India. At Pataliputra, in the Magadha region, he was instrumental in helping Chandragupta overthrow the influential Nanda dynasty. The book of Chanakya came to be Chandragupta's guide. Each of its 15 parts deals with a government process, which Chanakya defines as the science of punishment." He explicitly recommends the development of an intricate spy machine that crosses all layers of society and facilitates political and covert murder. Missing for decades, in 1905, the book was discovered. Chanakya or Vishnugupta was also known as Kautilya. Chanakya was a teacher, scholar, economist, jurist, and royal adviser from India. The ancient Indian historical treatise, Arthashastra, was written by him.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Chanakya was an old teacher, scholar, economist, jurist, and royal counselor from India. He is regarded as India's leader in the field of political science and economics, and his work is considered to be an important predecessor to classical economics. In the 6th century CE, his works were lost at the end of the Gupta Empire and were not rediscovered until the early 20th century.