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VOL. 11, ISSUE 4 (2025)
Beyond the battlefield: The Arthashastra paradigm for hybrid warfare
Authors
Deepsikha Mohapatra, Abhisek Dash
Abstract
Kautilya, a profound ancient Indian political
and economic strategist and author of the Arthashastra developed an
encyclopedic framework for statecraft, political economy, warfare and
intelligence. Though his ideas date back to the 4th century BCE, Kautilya's
principles of governance and state security remain timeless and can be
interpreted and applied to the modern-day predicament. His dynamic insights on
powerplay, diplomacy and military strategy continue to reverberate in the
contemporary geopolitical landscape, particularly with the advent of
cybersecurity and hybrid warfare. These new forms of conflicts between and
among states or non-state actors can be well understood by Kautilya's
principles of espionage, war strategies, alliances and covert operations. This
paper delves into integrating classical wisdom with a contemporary plan of action
and how military strategists, policymakers and practitioners can implement
Kautilyan thought to steer increasingly interconnected and intrinsic problems
of the 21st century. The strategies and precepts of Arthashastra must be
implemented by India to affirm its paramount position in the international
arena. The findings suggest that Kautilya’s multidimensional approach to
governance offers a blueprint that can be adapted in the modern age of global
circumstances defined by digital threats and hybrid conflicts.
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Pages:60-63
How to cite this article:
Deepsikha Mohapatra, Abhisek Dash "Beyond the battlefield: The Arthashastra paradigm for hybrid warfare". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 11, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 60-63
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