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Why is Chanakya called the Machiavelli of India? Who was Machiavelli?

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Chanakya

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru compared Chanakya, also known as Kautilya, to Niccolo Machiavelli's 'The Prince.'

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Chanakya

Like Machiavelli, Chanakya emphasized the importance of political realism over idealism, advocating for pragmatic approaches to governance and power.
 

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Strategic thinking

Both figures were known for their strategic thinking. Chanakya’s work, the ‘Arthashastra’, provides detailed strategies on statecraft, much like Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’.
 

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Power

Chanakya and Machiavelli both viewed power as a central element of political life. Chanakya believed in the necessity of using cunning and shrewdness to achieve and maintain power.
 

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Advisor

Chanakya served as an advisor to Chandragupta Maurya, much like Machiavelli’s role in advising princes. 
 

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Power of intelligence

Chanakya believed in the power of intelligence and espionage, similar to Machiavelli’s advice on using deception and manipulation in politics.
 

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Influence

Both Chanakya and Machiavelli have had a lasting influence on political theory and practice, shaping how leaders approach governance and statecraft in their respective cultures.
 

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Who was Machiavelli?

Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer, best known for his political treatise, ‘The Prince’. 
 

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Father of modern political science

He is often regarded as the father of modern political science due to his advocacy for realistic and pragmatic approaches to governance.

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