कौटिल्य प्रधानमंत्री थे-

कौटिल्य इतिहास में विष्णुगुप्त तथा चाणक्य इन दो नामों से भी विख्यात थे। जब चंद्रगुप्त मौर्य भारत का एकछत्र सम्राट बना, तो कौटिल्य प्रधानमंत्री, महामंत्री तथा प्रधान पुरोहित के पद पर आसीन हुए। उन्होंने राजनीति शास्त्र पर 'अर्थशास्त्र' नामक प्रसिद्ध ग्रंथ की रचना की थी। यह भारत में राजशासन के ऊपर उपलब्ध प्राचीनतम रचना है।

Kautilya made an unforgettable contribution to the establishment of Mauryan dynasty. He was well known as ‘Vishnugupta’ and ‘Chanakya.’ When Chandragupta Maurya had the responsibility of uniting Indian empire as emperor, Kautilya served as prime minister, advisor and chief priest. He was the pioneer scholar of political science and also known for his famous book ‘’Arthashastra”. This is one of the oldest books which is based on the political condition of India.