Kamandaka’s Nitisara is a contribution to :

Kamandaka’s Nitisara, also known as the Kamandakiya Nitisara, is a seminal ancient Indian treatise on polity, statecraft, and political morality [1]. Composed around the 4th to 6th century CE during the Gupta period, it serves as an abridgement and reflection of Kautilya’s Arthashastra [2]. The text is specifically addressed to kings and focuses on the ethical and moral responsibilities of a ruler, emphasizing the 'essence of politics' (Nitisara). It covers essential themes of governance including diplomacy, military strategy, internal administration, and the maintenance of the royal treasury [1]. Unlike the Arthashastra, which includes extensive economic and legal details, the Nitisara concentrates primarily on the political science aspects and the conduct of a sovereign state. Its enduring legacy is evidenced by its historical popularity in regions as far as Bali, Indonesia, where it was preserved as a guide for leadership and political ethics.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > 7.5 Economic Condition > p. 94
2. [2] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 7: The Guptas > I. Literary sources > p. 89