Miscellaneous Topics on Indian History

[ramana]

I have been thinking about Kautilya's concept of "Kuuta yuddha" or secret warfare. He advocates this as a way of minimizing casualties in "Prakasa yuddha" or open warfare. However modern commentators imply that Kautilya preferred kuuta or secret or illegitimate warfare and give him a bad name.

I think the more accurate translation for Kuuta yuddha is covert warfare and not secret warfare. Covert warfare is waged to minimize costs to self while maximizing the benefits. The Cold War is an example of Kuuta yuddha and no one complains about it. Looking at Kautilya's "Arthshaastra" with this insight it makes it way ahead of its time.

Maybe I should expand on this more in a one or two pager.