ShodhPatra: International Journal of Science and Humanities

Rajdharma: From Kautilya’s Arthashastra to Constitutional Morality in Modern India

Abstract The research paper explores Kautilya's Arthashastra to study Rajdharma and its development into the ethical principles which underpin contemporary Indian democracy and constitutional governance. The study analyzes how Dharma-based moral law and social order from ancient Indian traditions continues to shape governance principles through the examination of classical Indian texts and modern thinkers Gandhi, Nehru, Radhakrishnan, Granville Austin, Rajeev Bhargava, and Upendra Baxi. The paper shows Kautilya’s Rajdharma establishes the king’s duty through righteous and disciplined leadership that protects his people. Yet the Indian Constitution creates a new interpretation of this concept through constitutional morality which upholds justice and equality and accountability. The research shows that Indian governance throughout history has followed an unchanging moral principle which requires states to achieve sovereignty through adherence to Dharma-based ethical duties and devotion to public welfare. Keywords: Rajdharma, Kautilya, Arthashastra, Dharma, Statecraft, Ethics, Indian Constitution, Democracy, Duty, Justice, etc.