Arthashastra & Modern Day Espionage

PAPER VII – Arthashastra
Semester 3
Arthashastra & Modern Day Espionage
Geetanjali R. Shah
M.A. Part II Weekend Batch
Paper VII Chanakya’s Arthashastra M.A. Part II Semester 3
&
Modern Day Espionage
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Espionage and its Origins
Espionage is the 2nd oldest profession in the world. It is inherently secret and, more often than not,
illegal and punishable by law. It involves 2 operations, primarily –
1) Espionage otherwise known as spying i.e. gathering information about the enemy
2) Counter-espionage, where enemy spies are prevented from conducting espionage activities
and the nation is protected against espionage.
Modern tactics of espionage and dedicated government intelligence agencies were developed over
the course of the 19th century. The first permanent intelligence agency was created in 1909, and
within a few years all the great powers had similar agencies. By the outbreak of the First World War,
highly sophisticated structures were in place for the training and handling of spies and also for the
processing of the intelligence information obtained through espionage. The figure and mystique of
the spy had also developed considerably in the public eye.
HUMINT (Human Intelligence) – Spies and Agents
A spy is a word one associates with the excitement of watching James Bond or Mission Impossible
movies and the thrill of reading popular fiction. But in reality, much of world’s history has been
shaped by the dramatic exploits of men, women and organisations devoted to espionage and
counter-espionage.
Events involving espionage are well documented throughout history. The Egyptians had a well-
developed secret service, and spying and subversion are mentioned in the Iliad and in the Bible.
Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire in India, made use of assassinations, spies and
secret agents, which are described by his mentor Chanakya in his treatise - Arthashastra. The
Hebrews used spies as well, as in the story of Rahab. Spies were also prevalent in the Greek and
Roman empires.
In the Middle Ages, political espionage became important. Joan of Arc was betrayed by Bishop Pierre
Cauchon of Beauvais, a spy in the pay of the English, and Sir Francis Walsingham developed an
efficient political spy system for Elizabeth I. During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Mongols relied
heavily on espionage in their conquests in Asia and Europe. Feudal Japan often used ninja to gather
intelligence.
During the World Wars, the opposing factions used the “secret war” i.e. espionage, to try and break
the balance of the battlefield. Mata Hari, who obtained information for Germany by seducing French
officials, was the most noted espionage agent of World War I. Sidney Reilly - the first 20th-century
"Super-Spy”, is alleged to have spied for, at least four nations. Ian Fleming used Reilly as a model for
his fictional spy - James Bond.
Secret Intelligence Agencies
1
&
Since World War II, espionage activity increased considerably, much of it growing out of the cold war
between the United States and the former USSR. Spies gained fame and notoriety with both sides
(the Allies and the Soviets) pulling out all the stops to gain INTEL (intelligence) on one another, giving
rise to the Soviet KGB and the American CIA . In fact, the so-called cousins – Great Britain (with their
MI6) and the USA did not hesitate to spy on each other, their being on the same side,
notwithstanding. In addition to spying, tapping radio communication, cryptology, sabotage,
counterintelligence and propaganda also gained importance.
In the 21st Century, an Intelligence Agency is an effective instrument of national power. Most of the
world’s nations have their own intelligence agencies for the security of their citizens as well as for
the gathering of any information that can impact their nation’s interests.
The top 10 best intelligence agencies in the world are as follows –
1) ASIS - Australia
2) BND - Germany
3) CIA – USA
4) DGSE – France
2
&
5) FSB, GRU & SVR – Russia
6) ISI – Pakistan
7) MI 6 – UK
8) Mossad – Israel
3
&
9) MSS – China
10) RAW – India
Espionage and Spies in Ancient India
 Spies are often mentioned in the Vedas. Varuna, one of the chief Gods of the Vedic pantheon is
considered to be the forerunner of the Secret Service.
In the Rigveda, Hymn I.25.13 talks about – “Varuna, wearing golden mail, hath clad him in
shining robe; His spies are seated round about”.
बिभ्रद दराब िं बिरण्ययिं वरुणो वस्त बिबणिजम |

रर स्पशो बि षे बदरे || १३ ||
Hymn VII.61.3 says that the spies – स्पशः of बमत्र-वरुण, with an unwinking eye, watch over the
fields and houses.
रोरोबमि त्रावरुणा बथिव्ाः र बदव रष्वाद ििि तः सुदािू |
स्पशो दधाथे ओषधीषु बवक्ष्व रधग यतो अबिबमषिं रक्षमाणा || ३ ||
4
&
Hymn VII.87.3 describes Varuna’s spies being sent forth on their errand to survey the 2 worlds –
heaven and earth.
रर स्पशो वरुणस्य समबदष्टा उभे श्यन्ति रोदसी सुमेके |

These spies are perhaps represented by the stars. The Sun is said to be the eye of Varuna
watching over all the actions of humankind, hence he is termed उरूचक्षस् – far-seeing.
 In the Taittiriya Samhita of the Krishna Yajur Veda, the IInd Prapathaka (of the 1st Kanda), which
deals with the Soma sacrifice, mentions – Send forth thy spies, swiftest in thy motion. Be an
unfailing Guardian to this folk, from him who afar plans evil, from him who is near, referring to
Agni. It also mentions दू त – a regular representative of the King and प्रबित – a spy (according
to Sayanacharya).
 The AtharvaVeda has a hymn (IV.16.1-5) that informs humans how the spies of Varuna go forth
hither, and thousand-eyed they look over the earth.
 The epics provide numerous instances of the existence of spies then. In the Yuddha Kanda of the
Ramayana, Ravana sends 2 of his ministers – Shuka and Sarana, as spies to check on Rama and
his army of monkeys.
 In the 12th Book of the Mahabharata called the Shanti Parva is a section called राजधमाि िुशासि
वि. In this, Yudhisthira asks Bhishma, “How should he (a king) employ his spies? Bhishma
replies, that a king should employ as spies, who have been thoroughly examined (in respect of
their ability), who are possessed of wisdom, and who are able to endure hunger and thirst. He
should set them to task internally, ensuring that they may not know each other and also to
ascertain the spies despatched by his foes.
When the Pandavas wer living incognito in the 13 year of their exile, Duryodhana sent spies in
search of them and Dusshasana offered advance pay to these secret agents,=.
 The Manu Smriti stipulates that the King must, for the safety and welfare of his subjects, seek
through is spies, advance knowledge not only about his own kingdom but also about the enemy
territories. It also lists and describes the different classes of spies who undertake spying activities
in various disguises.
 The Agni Purana talks about how a King must appoint a group of spies to know whatever is
taking place in his kingdom at every moment. The Matsya Purana talks about how Brihaspati, the
preceptor of the Gods, send his son – Kaccha to Shukracharya, the preceptor of the demons, in
disguise to learn the Sanjeevani Mantra.
 Noted Sanskrit writers like Bhasa, Kalidasa, Magha, Bana etc. and in Tamil literature too, the
existence and necessity of spies and intelligence gathering has been referred to.
5
&
Ancient Texts on Military Strategy and War
 The earliest known work on military strategy and war, Sunzi Bingfa - The Art of War (c. 500 B.C.)
consists of 13 short chapters attributed to a Chinese gentleman named Sun Tzu, also known as
Sun Tzi or Sun Wu. Little is known about the man, but he is widely believed to have been an
accomplished general when he wrote the text. It emphasizes surprise and deception, with lines
like
"When capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity."
The Art of War, became known in Europe in the 18th Century and something of a manual for U.S.
military strategists in the 20th century, when it was popularized by Henry Kissinger, among
 In India, Kautilya’s Arthashastra (c. 350 – 283 B.C.), is the well-known treatise on statecraft,
economic policy and military strategy. It serves as a guidebook and manual to monarchs and
covers all possible aspects of governance.
 The Art of War is a treatise, in dialogue form, by the Italian Renaissance political philosopher
and historian Niccolo Machiavelli (written between 1519 and 1520). It talks about how an army
should be raised, trained, organized, deployed and employed. He developed the philosophy of
"limited warfare"—that is, when diplomacy fails, war is an extension of politics. Art of War also
emphasizes the necessity of a state militia and promotes the concept of armed citizenry.
 Go Rin No Sho (The Book of Five Rings) is a text on kenjutsu and the martial arts in general,
written by the Japanese swordsman Miyamoto Musashi circa 1645. According to him, the
understandings expressed in the book are important for combat on any scale, whether a one-on-
one duel or a massive battle.
 Vom Kriege (On War) is the unfinished work of Prussian general and military theorist, Carl
Philipp Gottfried von Clausewitz (1780 – 1831). The synthesis of his dialectical examination (the
practice of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments) of the nature of war is his
famous "trinity," saying that war is "a fascinating trinity—composed of primordial violence,
hatred, and enmity, which are to be regarded as a blind natural force; the play of chance and
probability, within which the creative spirit is free to roam; and its element of subordination, as
an instrument of policy, which makes it subject to pure reason.
 Greek soldier Xenopphon, a contemporary of Plato and a fellow student of Socrates, wrote
Anabasis ('The Expedition' or 'The March Up-Country'), his narrative of the Persian Expedition
under Cyrus the Younger against Cyrus' brother Artaxerxes II of Persia in 401 BCE. Besides
military history, the Anabasis has found use as a tool for the teaching of classical philosophy; the
principles of leadership and government exhibited by the army can be seen as exemplifying
Socratic philosophy.
Chanakya’s Arthashastra
6
&
Arthashastra or the Science of Polity is thought to contain knowledge gleaned by Chanakya’s life-
long experiences. The author Kautilya or Chanakya was a great economist, philosopher and
statesman, thought to be a contemporary of Alexander and Aristotle and the mentor of Indian
Emperor Chandragupta Maurya.
Divided into 15 अबधकरणs (Books) consisting of 6000 श्लोकs, the text of Arthashastra was lost
towards the end of the reign of the Gupta dynasty (c. 500 A.D.). For more than 1400 years, it was
known only through references in subsequent works on politics. In 1905, a hand-written manuscript
was discovered by Shri R. Shamashastri in Mysore Library, given to it by an unknown Brahmin. After
careful study, Arthashastra, as we know it today was published, followed by the English translation.
Controversies about its authorship and date notwithstanding, it’s a tour de force in the world of
statecraft and polity because no other book has so comprehensively covered all the aspects that a
King needs to address to rule well and become the conqueror of the world.
Though it is well-known for its contents on politics, it includes information about the entire gamut of
social life like leadership, management, politics, economy, strategies of warfare, selection and
training of important employees, appointment of spies, security of state, wealth creation and
maintenance, legal systems, fiscal policy, labour and wage policy, accounting systems, civic rules,
internal and foreign trade, technical subjects like medicines, metallurgy, weights and measures,
division of time, mineralogy, animal husbandry, mining etc. Thus, Arthashastra reveals the societal
and political conditions of those times, which are very important to reconstruct the history of that
period.
Arthashastra & Modern Day Espionage
Among the various disciplines that Chanakya has written about in the Arthashastra, an important
section is devoted to espionage. Secret Service was an inseparable part of the state polity of ancient
India. To prevent disruptive tendencies of the subjects and to keep recalcitrant elements in check,
spies were often employed.
Kautilya’s time was an age of intrigue. His grooming of Chandragupta Maurya to overthrow the
tyrant Dhanananda included to a great extent – machinations and manipulations. According to
Kautilya, the King has to guard against dangers from the internal and external sources.
What follows now is an attempt to highlight the similarities between the guidelines laid down by
Kautilya, specific to the selection and appointment of spies (secret agents), creation of spy
establishments (sleeper cells) and the activities of undercover agents including double agents and
how the very same tactics and practices are being implemented by various intelligence agencies
functioning across the world in the 21st century. Surprisingly, there are many similarities in the
methods used then and now, which is a testimonial to Acharya Chanakya’s foresightedness and
superior intelligence, transcending the constraints of time.
7
&
1) Chapter 11 in the 1st अबधकरण deals with the appointment of persons in the Secret Service.
सप्तमिं प्रकरणम् – गूद ुरुषोत्पबतः, तत्र सिंस्थोत्पबतः |
Firstly, Kautilya mentions the creation of Establishments of Spies.
उ धाबभः शुद्धामात्यवगो गूढ ुरुषािु त्पादयेत् का बिकोदान्तस्थतगृि बतकवैदेिकता सव्ञ्जिाि्

सन्तरितीक्ष्णरसदबभक्षु कीश्च | ११ | १ |
The pre-requisite for those ministers who are to be involved in the selection and appointment of
spies is that they should have proven their integrity by means of the उ धा tests.
In the 8th Chapter of the 1st अबधकरण, which talks about the appointment of ministers, he
introduces the ideas of having secrets and fear of them being revealed. This sets the tone for the
next 3 chapters, where the Secret Tests are also mentioned –
धमो धा – Test of Piety
अथो धा – Test of Material Gain
कामो धा – Test of Lust
भयो धा – Test of Fear.
These tests are used to ascertain the integrity of ministers.
Now
Background checks and digital surveillance is carried out on those candidates who are to be
appointed in the top positions in Intelligence Agencies the world over. Sting operations are also
the modus operandi to test the integrity of or expose those in important positions just like the
उ धा tests suggested by Kautilya.
2) The 1st establishment is रममि ज्ञः प्रगल्भश्च्िात्रः का बिकः |

A का बिक is one who is an intelligent, bold and sharp pupil, knowing the secrets of others.
तमथि मािाभ्ािं प्रोत्साह्य ...| ३ |
He is to be encouraged (tempted) with money and honour.
Now
 120 young Israeli citizens, posing as art students and selling paintings door-to-door in New York,
were part of a group which was a front for a sophisticated spy ring. The students would turn up
at homes and offices - especially at buildings housing federal authorities and military bases in
the US, and even went to the homes of those employed in these offices. The students attempted
to form friendships with federal employees, photograph their offices, tap their phone lines and
infiltrate their databases.
It is also claimed that the spy ring kept tabs on Arab targets inside the United States, including
Arab Americans who were in contact with the Al-Qaida network. According to some
8
&
speculations, the Israelis' intelligence work enabled the spy ring to know in advance of the
planned terror attack on September 11, without lifting a finger to prevent it.
 We have instances of young boys and girls being recruited to carry out terrorist activities in
Pakistan where more than 40 per cent of the population is under 14 years of age. Also the use of
teenage bombers has grown dramatically in the recent past. Case to point is Ajmal Kasab, the
20-year old Pakistani militant and member of Lashkar-e-Taiba, who took part in the 2008
Mumbai terrorist attacks. A life of poverty led him to engage in petty crimes and later to join the
Lashkar-e-Taiba. Reports say that the family was paid for his participation in the attacks and
promised more if he became a martyr. Before leaving for Mumbai, he asked his mother to bless
him as he was going for “jihad” – holy war. Both the money and honour quotient were high in
this case.
3) प्रव्रज्याप्रत्यवबसतः प्रज्ञाशौचयुक्त उदान्तस्थतः | ४ |

The next kind of spy is one who has relinquished the life of a wandering monk and is endowed
with intelligence and honesty. This secret agent is assigned with the duty of recruiting others like
him into spying and provided by the State with means to sustain his livelihood. He, in turn has to
provide food, clothing and shelter to those recruited by him and other such agents.
Now
 In the US, ‘Interfaith’ meetings are used by Islamic religious heads to infiltrate churches and
synagogues. The Muslim leaders use the Christian and Jewish leaders as confidential informants.
Many of the Christian and Jewish leaders are unwitting sources, but many are willing.
 The case of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, who was arrested in connection with the Malegaon blasts, is
an example of this type of spy. The bike used in the blasts allegedly belonged to her. She is also
said to have been in touch with the other co-accused in the case, allegedly members of an
organisation called Abhinav Bharat, accused of spreading Saffron Terror.
4) कषि को वृबतक्षीणः प्रज्ञाशौचयुक्तो गृि बतकव्ञ्जिः |

A farmer, whose means of livelihood has been depleted and who is endowed with intelligence
and honesty is the householder spy. He should be given land for agricultural work and he should
practise his vocation as before, while spying and serving as a contact point for other farmers.
Now
 The case of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian farmer who strayed across an unmarked area of the Indo-
Pak border validates the point that farmers are still being used as sources of information, if not
for full-fledged spying activities.
 Another example is Surjeet Singh, who returned to India in 2012, after spending 30 + years in a
Pakistani prison. He was recruited by the Indian Army to cross the border and come back the
next day with important documents. He did 85 such trips before being betrayed by a Pakistani
agent he had recruited. He was a farmer by profession.
5) वाबणजको वृबतक्षीणः प्रज्ञाशौचयुक्तो वैदेिकव्ञ्जिः |

A trader, whose means of livelihood has been depleted and who is endowed with intelligence
and honesty is the trader/merchant spy. He should be given place to practise his vocation as
before, while spying and serving as a contact point for other traders.
9
&
Now
In 2013, Israel arrested an Iranian-born man, accusing him of spying for Tehran. Ali Mansouri, a
native of Iran, who became a Belgian citizen in 2006, was found carrying photos of various sites
in Israel, including the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. He was plotting to set up a spy network in Israel
under the guise of a businessman, who marketed services to restaurants and stores.
6) मु ण्डो जबिलो वा वृबतकामस्ता सव्न्जिः |

A hermit with shaven head (referring to the Buddha and Jain monks) or with matted hair is the
ascetic spy. He should establish himself, near a city, with many disciples who would do their
utmost to inform the inhabitants of the city about the ascetic’s ability to foresee the future and
bestow good fortune upon those who worship him. He should also pacify those who resent the
King and the State.
Now
 3 Chinese agents disguised as Buddhist monks entered India illegally and took shelter in different
Tibetan monasteries of Shravasti. These agents, according to the intelligence, include a woman
and are connected with Kubum Boddh monastery governed by Eastern Tibet. All residents of
Shanghai, they were spotted taking photographs of the SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal) camp, Indo-
Nepal gate and activities of the SSB, at the Indo-Nepal border.
 4 dozen Chinese Study Centres (CSC) and other monasteries are present along India's frontiers
with Nepal and Bhutan and are allegedly indulging in propaganda programs. In a report prepared
by the Sashastra Seema Bal, the Central Police Force manning the Indo-Nepal border, under the
administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it is said that there is certainly a
possibility of these CSCs soon becoming Chinese spy centres. The report also asserts that 22
monasteries have also come up along the border areas with Bhutan in the Indian territory
between the districts of East Sikkim to Jaigaon, a small town in West Bengal near the Bhutan
border.
These 5 types of stationary spies form the 5 bases where information is received from and
conveyed to the roving spies. The establishment of these are the responsibility of the State,
nowadays the Government via the Intelligence Agency responsible for their recruitment.
7) Chapter 12 talks about the Appointment of Roving Spies.
सप्तम प्रकरणिं – गूढ ुरुषोत्पबतः, तत्र सिंचारोत्पबतः |

The 1st among these mobile secret agents is सबत्रि् – the classmate spy who is an orphan, well-
versed in the science of interpreting signs or identifying marks, touch, magic, omens, creating
illusions etc. Also one who is an expert exponent of the fine arts and the like, anything that
permits him/her to gain an entry into the various social circles and mingle with people. Besides
providing information that he/she gleaned, they were also of use as couriers by the other types
of wandering spies.
Now
 Tony Mendez, a CIA operative, often posed as an artist during his assignments. His best mission
has been immortalised in the Hollywood movie “Argo”, where he and his team posed as
Hollywood movie makers to successfully whisk 6 US diplomats out of Iran during the hostage
crisis.
10
&
 Josephine Baker was an American-born French dancer, singer, and actress, who was recruited by
French military intelligence, as an "honourable correspondent", during World War II. Baker
collected what information she could about German troop locations from officials she met at
parties in Paris. She specialized in gatherings at embassies and ministries, charming people as
she had always done, while gathering information. Her café-society fame enabled her to rub
shoulders with those in the know, from high-ranking Japanese officials to Italian bureaucrats,
and to report back what she heard. She attended parties at the Italian embassy without raising
suspicions and gathered information. As an entertainer, Baker had an excuse for moving around
Europe, visiting neutral nations such as Portugal, as well as some in South America. She carried
information for transmission to England, about airfields, harbours, and German troop
concentrations in the West of France. Notes were written in invisible ink on Josephine's sheet
music.
8) The 2nd roving spy is the तीक्ष्ण – the brave or fiery one, who has given up all thought of
personal safety and would fight for money any fierce animal (like elephants etc.).
Now
 Mercenaries are those who work only for money and not for the love of their country. With the
political situation worsening in the Middle East, the allies – USA and UK have been forced to seek
the help of those spies who know that particular area well and are ready to work for adequate
compensation. Post-9/11, there was an enormous push for privatisation of Intelligence
outsourcing. From the tracking of al-Qaeda to the Bush administration’s warrantless
eavesdropping on U.S. citizens; private contractors have infiltrated every corner of intelligence
gathering in America.
 The Eclipse Group was running a private spy network in Afghanistan and Pakistan, under a
contract with the Pentagon, which was cancelled after this news was made public. The function
assigned to them was to provide intelligence reports on militants that were used to target drone
strikes.
 A hit team of alleged mercenaries composed of former American, German, and Polish snipers
and soldiers provided a variety of surveillance and security work in places like Thailand,
Mauritius, and the Bahamas and also successfully arranged the murder of a number of people,
all for a load of cash. This team was busted by the DEA (Department of External Affairs) of the
USA by covertly hiring them to provide services for purported Colombian drug traffickers.
 Private military companies like Blackwater Security, Military Professional Resources Inc.,
Sandline, Global Dynamics, or Triple Canopy hire these civilians to accompany and assist the
military.
 Many ex-soldiers have made their way to join the Kurdish army of Iraq and Syria – the
Peshmerga, in order to see the ISIS destroyed. All of these men are doing this not for money but
on a voluntary basis, to try and stop the ISIS and its beheadings, mass killings and enslavements.
A large number of mercenaries have joined ISIS too.
9) The 3rd type of roving spy is the रसद – the poison-giver, who is without filial affection for his
kinsmen, is cruel and indolent. Such spies do not hesitate to kill the enemy of the King with
poison.
11
&
This is especially noteworthy because Kautilya has mentioned a variety of रसs or poisons and
the situations where they can be used, in Chapter 14 of the Arthashastra.
Now
 Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko defected to Britain in 2000 and, in November 2006, died after
drinking tea laced with Polonium-210, a rare poisonous radioactive isotope. He fell ill on the very
day he met two former KGB officers at a posh London hotel for breakfast.
 Georgi Markov, an acclaimed Bulgarian novelist and playwright was critical of communist
Bulgaria and hence defected to London. He worked as a broadcaster and journalist for the BBC,
continually criticising the Bulgarian regime the Communist party leader – Todor Zhikov. HE
received several death threats and survived 2 attempts on his life – one, a toxin slipped into his
drink at a dinner party and the other during a visit to Sardinia.
On the morning of 7th September 1978, when he was on his way to work at the BBC, while
waiting at a bus stop near Waterloo bridge alongside several other commuters, he felt a sudden,
sharp pain on the back of his right thigh, which he later described as ‘similar to an insect bite’. A
nearby man (described as ‘heavy set with a foreign accent’) then briefly stooped to pick up an
umbrella from the ground and mumbled ‘I’m sorry’, before hurriedly crossing the street and
jumping into a taxi. Upon closer examination after he arrived at work, Markov discovered a
small, painful red bump on the back of his leg. Over the course of the working day he became
progressively sicker and was admitted to hospital that evening, suffering from a high fever. He
died a few days later, on 11 September.
The autopsy revealed that he had been poisoned by a small pellet fired into his leg which had
holes drilled into it and was filled with the poison ricin – a deadly poison made from the seeds of
the castor-oil plant. It was then covered with a waxy coating that was designed to melt at 37°C
(the temperature of the human body) thus triggering the release of the poison into the
bloodstream. The pellet was injected into Markov’s body using a specially-designed “umbrella-
gun” with a pointed tip just like a hypodermic syringe.
10) The 4th type of Roving spy is बभक्षु की – a wandering nun or ब्राह्मणी - a poor, widowed Brahmin
lady. These were to visit frequently the homes of the high officers for information. The same rule
shall apply to women with shaved head (मु ण्ड), as well as to those of the शु द्र caste.
 Violette Szabo was an undercover British agent reputed to be the best shot within the Special
Operations Executive (SOE) and described by fellow agent Odette Churchill as "the bravest of us
all." Devastated by the death of her husband - which came just months after their daughter
Tania was born in 1942 - she volunteered for duty in France during World War II. She joined the
efforts of a local resistance network in occupied to sabotage German communication lines.
Shortly after D-Day, she was captured by German troops following an intense gun battle during
which Szabo emptied every clip of ammunition she had. Brought to Ravensbruck concentration
camp, her open defiance inspired fellow prisoners and led to her execution in 1945, at just 23
years old.
11) Kautilya further talks about where the above-mentioned spies should be employed.
अष्टमिं प्रकरणिं – गूद ुरुषप्रबणबधः
12
&
Of these spies, those who are of good family, loyal, reliable, well-trained in the art of putting on
disguises appropriate to countries and trades, and possessed of knowledge of many languages
and arts shall be sent by the king to espy in his own country – the movements of the high-
ranking officials.
Now
 The revelations by Edward Snowden, a former CIA operative that the United States NSA
(National Security Agency) was spying on American citizens by accessing their phone records and
also directly accessing the servers of US tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple
and others.
 The British spy agency – the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), taps fiber
optic cables all over the world to intercept data flowing through the global Internet, we learned.
The GCHQ works closely with the NSA, sharing data and intelligence.
 NSA spies on foreign countries and world leaders like German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Brazil's
President Dilma Roussef, and Mexico's former President Felipe Calderon, the French Foreign
Ministry, as well as leaders at the 2010 G8 and G20 summits in Toronto.
 Noor Inayat Khan, born to an Indian Muslim father and an American mother and descended
from the family of Tipu Sultan, was a World War II British secret agent. She was the first female
radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France by the Special Operations Executive (SOE). As the
only remaining wireless operator still at large in Paris, Inayat Khan continued to transmit to
London messages from agents. With wireless detection vans in close pursuit, Inayat Khan could
transmit for only twenty minutes at one time in one place, but constantly moving from place to
place, she managed to escape capture while maintaining wireless communication with London.
12) Fiery spies, such as are employed to hold the royal umbrella, vase, fan, and shoes, or to attend
at the throne, chariot, and conveyance shall espy the public character (िाह्यिं चारिं ) of these
(officers). The spies shall convey this information (i.e., that gathered by the fiery spies) to the
institutes of espionage (सिंस्थास्व ियेयुः).
Now
When Germany was still divided, many domestic helpers would anonymously call the East
German Ministry of Security Stasi to report on planned defections to the west and also other
communications and contact with the West.
The government of the Philippines has denied that it has been spying on Qatar, after three
Filipino workers were convicted of espionage in the country. The two men jailed for life were
employed by the Qatari Air Force as technicians and provided the third man with "secret
information" in return for "big amounts of money”.
13) Poisoners such as a sauce-maker (सूद), a cook (अराबलक), procurer of water for bathing (स्ना क)
shampooer (सिंवािक), the spreader of bed (आस्तरक), a barber (कल्पक), toilet-maker (प्रसादक
- valet), a water-servant (उदक ररचारक);
servants such as have taken the appearance of a hump-backed person (कुब्ज), a dwarf
(वामि), a pigmy (बकरात), the dumb (मू क), the deaf (िबधर), the idiot (जड), the blind
(अन्ध);
13
&
artisans such as actors, dancers, singers, players on musical instruments, buffoons, and a bard;
as well as women shall espy the private character (अभ्िरिं चारिं ) of these officers.
A mendicant woman (बभक्षु की) shall convey this information to the institute of espionage
(सिंस्था).
Now
 The Soviet Union spied on the British Royal Family during the height of the Cold War and even
succeeded in getting an agent employed as Princess Margaret's butler. Thomas Cronin, who also
served a five-year stint as butler to the American Ambassador in London, was just one of a
number of Soviet spies given the mission of infiltrating London high society.
 Pope Benedict's former butler stole highly sensitive papers the pontiff had marked "to be
destroyed" and compromised Vatican security through his actions. Gabriele, a trusted servant
who served the pope meals, helped him dress and rode in the popemobile, has admitted passing
papers to the journalist at secret meetings, some of them alleging corruption in the Vatican. This
caused one of the biggest crises of Pope Benedict's papacy.
14) The immediate officers of the institutes of espionage (सिंस्थािामिेवाबसिः) shall by making use of
signs or writing (सिंज्ञाबलब बभः) set their own spies in motion (to ascertain the validity of the
information).
This mentions the sign language or code language used by agents to communicate.
Now
 The signs of communication or warning can range from open or lowered window blinds,
switching the lights on or off, wearing a particular item of clothing, carrying a pre-decided
article, dropping one’s umbrella – purse – handkerchief, scarf etc.
 Code languages range from pre-decided words, phrases, sentences and even figures.
 Q - "Excuse me but haven't we met in California last summer?"
A - "No, I think it was in the Hamptons."
This is a coded introduction to identify a co-agent.
15) If a mendicant woman is stopped at the entrance, the line of door-keepers., spies under the
guise of father and mother, women artisans, court-bards, or prostitutes shall, under the pretext
of taking in musical instruments, or through cipher-writing (गूढले ख्य), or by means of signs,
convey the information to its destined place.
Now
 The art of cryptology took off with the World Wars and has now reached the zenith of its
practice. More difficult codes and cipher systems are being developed each day, thanks to the
advances made in technology and the use of super computers to crack codes.
16) (Spies of the institutes of espionage) may suddenly go out under the pretext of long standing
disease, or lunacy, or by setting fire (to something) or by administering poison (to someone).
14
&
17) When the information thus received from these three different sources is exactly of the same
version, it shall be held reliable. If they (the three sources) frequently differ, the spies concerned
shall either be punished in secret or dismissed.
Now
 In the national/military intelligence world, HUMINT asset or source validation is done by asking
the source in to obtain answers to questions for which the answers are already known, by giving
them operational tests to perform so as to assess their reliability and by corroborating the
information supplied from other sources.
18) Those spies who are referred to in Book IV, "Removal of Thorns," shall receive their salaries from
those foreign kings ( रे षु कृतवेतिा) with whom they live as servants; but when they aid both
the states in the work of catching hold of robbers, they shall become recipients of salaries from
both the states (उभयवेतिाः).
 The Soviet archive details the activities of an agent codenamed Para. Para, which means 'couple'
in Russian, was not one spy but two: journalist and author Derek Tangye, later to write the best-
selling autobiographical Minack Chronicles, and his wife Jean Nicol, who had been Press officer
at the Savoy Hotel in London. The Tangyes were a key source of information on the royals and
both secretly worked for MI5 after the War until the early Fifties. However, according to the
Moscow files, they were also passing similar potentially highly damaging information to the
Soviets. With their prominence in society circles, connections with MI5 and their professional
roles as journalist and public relations officer, their cover was also perfect.
 The Cambridge Spy Ring
One of the most damaging (or effective, depending on one’s national allegiance) spy networks of
the Cold War era had its beginnings in the 1930s at the University of Cambridge, where a group
of disaffected, upper class, young men were recruited to become Soviet agents. The four men,
Guy Burgess, Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, and Anthony Blunt, spent decades in various positions
of power, working for MI5 and MI6, as well as ambassadorial posts, and each used his position
to forward sensitive information to the Soviets. By the time the ring was unraveled in the 1950s,
countless state secrets had been spilled.
 American CIA analyst Aldrich Ames was possibly the most successful Soviet double agent of the
Cold War. Charged with counterintelligence operations—chiefly, the uncovering of Soviet spies
and the recruitment of potential CIA assets—Ames used his knowledge to cripple CIA operations
in the Soviet Union. At least 10 CIA agents within the Soviet Union were executed as a result of
Ames’s spying; ultimately, he revealed the name of every U.S. agent operating in the Soviet
Union (after 1991, Russia). Before Ames and and his wife were arrested in 1994, they had
received more than $2.7 million, the most money paid by the Soviet Union or Russia to any
American for spying.
 A 32-year-old, identified as Markus R., an employee of Germany’s foreign intelligence agency

(BND), was arrested on suspicion of passing on information to a CIA contact. It was a list
compiled by him which contains the identities of employees working at Germen embassies
across the globe, in addition to those accompanying army missions in Afghanistan, Mali,
Lebanon and Sudan. The CIA allegedly paid Markus R. $34,000 for 218 documents classified as
top secret or confidential over the course of two years.
15
&
 In the early years after 9/11, the CIA turned some Guantánamo Bay prisoners into double agents
then sent them home to help the US kill terrorists. The CIA promised the prisoners freedom,
safety for their families, and millions of dollars from secret accounts.
19) In Chapter 14, Kautilya examines the winning over seducible and non-seducible parties in the
enemy territory. He has mentioned 4 distinct groups of people in the enemy’s populace, who
can be seduced (recruited), based on their motivations.
 Group of the Enraged – क्रुद्धवगिः
 Group of the Frightened – भीतवगिः
 Group of the Greedy – लुब्धवगिः
 Group of the Proud – माबिवगिः
He then suggests instigation of these parties and then their recruitment to work for the native
state of the recruiter. The recruiter spy should use conciliation and gifts to those agreeable and
dissension and force with those not-agreeable to being recruited.
Now
There are many suggested motives for spying that an individual may have. The common theory
is summed up by the acronym MICE –
 M – Money
 I – Ideology
 C – Coercion / Compromise
 E – Ego / Extortion
These 4 motives correspond exactly with Kautilya’s theories.
 Money is the motivator for the Group of the Greedy. Kautilya says this Group constitutes
those who are impoverished; who have lost much wealth; who are niggardly; who are
addicted to evil propensities and who are engaged in dangerous transactions.
They are interested in financial gain to either supplement their income or to offset their
financial difficulties, due to their undesirable habits and vices. John Anthony Walker is an
example of a spy who worked for Soviet Union for money.
 Ideology is the motivator for the Group of the Proud. He who is self-sufficient; he who is
fond of honours; he who is intolerant of his rival's honour; he who is esteemed low; he who
is of a fiery spirit; he who is foolhardy as well as he who is not content with what he has
been enjoying -- all these come under the Group of the Proud, according to Kautilya.
Ideological spies have clear beliefs which can include their opinions, their national
allegiances, or their cultural or religious beliefs. Kim Philby and Klaus Fuchs (communist),
Fritz Kolbe and Juan Pujol (anti-Nazi) are a few examples. These became spies because they
were convinced about the ideology of the country they were spying for, they were
disillusioned with the happenings in their own countries, angry with the injustice meted out
to them – personally or professionally and of a very strong point of view.
16
&
The 1st two groups have to be pleased with conciliation and gifts (in cash and/or kind), as they
are agreeable.
 C – Coercion is the motivator for the Group of the Frightened. He who has fallen a victim to
misfortune by his own misdeeds; he who is offended (by the king); he whose sinful deeds
are brought to light; he who is alarmed at the award of punishment on a man of like guilt; he
whose lands have been confiscated; he whose rebellious spirit is put down by coercive
measures; he who, as a superintendent of all government departments, has suddenly
amassed a large amount of wealth; he who, as a relative of such a rich man aspires to inherit
his wealth; he who is disliked by the king; and he who hates the king,--all these come under
the group of persons alarmed, in Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
Not all spies enter into service willingly—sometimes, a person can be threatened into
providing secret information to another country. Threats of injury or death are the most
Threats can also be made against family or friends of the target—Svetlana Tumanova was
told by the KGB that her family in the Soviet Union would be harmed if she did not co-
operate, and Ronald Humphrey said that he had helped North Vietnam in order to obtain
the release of his Vietnamese wife.
A more subtle form of coercion is blackmail, with a government threatening to release

embarrassing information about a person's activities unless that person provides them with
secret information. A wide range of material can be used for blackmail—extramarital affairs,
homosexuality, and undiscovered crimes have all been used for this purpose. John Vassall
and Colonel Alfred Redl, who were threatened with revelations about their homosexuality,
are both example of this type of spy.
 E – Ego is the motivator for the Group of the Frightened.

Those who are deluded with false promise of large rewards; those of whom one party,
though equally skilful as another party in artistic work or in turning out productive or
beneficial works, is slighted by bestowing larger rewards on its rival party; those who are
harassed by courtiers; those who are invited to be slighted; those who are harassed by
banishment; those who in spite of their large outlay of money have failed in their
undertakings; those who are prevented from the exercise of their rights or from taking
possession of their inheritance; those who have fallen from their rank and honours in
government service; those who are shoved to the corner by their own kinsmen; those whose
women are violently assaulted; those who are thrown in jail; those who are punished in
secret; those who are warned of their misdeeds; those whose property has been wholly
confiscated; those who have long suffered from imprisonment; those whose relatives are
banished---all these come under the Group of Provoked persons.
The role of ego and pride in motivating spies has occasionally been observed, but is often
hard to demonstrate. In some situations, a person can be enticed to spy by the sense of
importance or significance which it gives them—they cease to be simply a minor
functionary, and are having a substantial, albeit covert, impact. This motivation often
involves the target gaining a sense of superiority over his or her colleagues, whom he or she
17
&
is outwitting. Robert Hanssen is another example of someone who, though paid
handsomely, decided to spy due to arrogance.
 An interesting set of stories, about India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Dovel begs mention
here.
 In the 1980s, when the Mizo National Front, led by Laldenga, was holding the nation to
ransom with his insurgency, he suddenly found six of his seven commanders had
deserted him, all won over by Ajit Doval.
 He spent long periods of time incognito with the Mizo National Army in the Arakan in
Burma and inside Chinese territory.
 From Mizoram, Doval went to Sikkim where he played a role during the merger of the
state with India.
 In 1989, 1992: In Punjab he was behind the rescue of Romanian diplomat Liviu Radu and
the success of Operation Blue Star. He was actually inside the Golden Temple in Amritsar
in 1989 during Operation Black Thunder, posing as an ISI agent. Sometime in 1988.
Residents of Amritsar around the Golden Temple where Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale once
held sway, and Khalistani militants spotted a rickshawpuller plying his trade. He was new
in the area and he looked ordinary enough. The suspicious militants put him on their
watch list. It took 10 days for them to make contact; or for him to approach them, as the
confusing game of spycraft unfurled within the sacred precincts. The rickshaw puller
convinced the militants that he was an ISI operative, who had been sent by his Pakistani
masters to help the Khalistan cause. Two days before Operation Black Thunder, the
rickshaw-puller entered the Golden Temple and returned with crucial information,
including the actual strength and positions of the terrorists inside the shrine. He was
none other than Ajit Doval undercover. When the final assault came, the young police
officer was inside Harminder Sahib, streaming much needed information to security
forces to carry out search-and-flush operations.
 C
 jIn 1990, 1996: Doval before his retirement had spent six years in Indian High
Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan. He went to Kashmir in 1990 and persuaded militants
(like Kuka Parray) to become counter-insurgents targeting hardline anti-India terrorists.
This set the way for state elections in Jammu and Kashmir in 1996.
 In 1999, when the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 was hijacked from Kathmandu and flown
to Kandahar with the passengers as hostages, Doval was India’s main negotiator with the
hijackers.
 He lived undercover in Pakistan for seven years. During his stay in Pakistan, he sent vital
information about Pakistan’s nuclear development to India. Other details of his work in
Pakistan remain classified.
Conclusion
In the very 1st सूत्र of Arthashastra, Chanakya puts down the प्रयोजि of his treatise, saying that it is
“for the acquisition and protection of the earth”.
ृबथव्ा लाभे ालिे च यावन्त्यथिशास्त्राबण ूवाि चाययः प्रस्थाब ताबि प्रायशस्ताबि सिंहृत्यैकबमदमथिशास्त्रिं
कृतम् |१|
18
&
Here, the inference is that this work is a compilation of the maxims found scattered in the various
ancient Indian texts with the ultimate objective being the benefit of the people. It is unique among
the texts of its time due to its single-minded focus on the state – how it should be run well.
Kautilya was a proponent of a welfare state but definitely encourages war for preserving the power
of the state. He thought that the possession of power and happiness in a state makes a King
superior; hence a King should always strive to augment his power.
The Arthashastra is one of the finest political and war treatises even written in prose form. It covers
all aspects of international relations, intelligence and good governance. Kautilya was well aware of
the importance of “Good Governance” for the efficient operation of the State and its economic
development.
The vision of the Arthashastra, is truly breath taking, its practical utility timeless and the clarity of its
exposition unique. More than a book on philosophy, it is a guide-book on how to govern. It is very
descriptive and systematic in recommending solutions to the multiple difficulties connected with the
monarchical form of governance. These solutions are realistic, relevant and practical in modern
times too.
His ruthless ideology has laid down principles for human survival in the harshest of conditions. He
advocates covert measures to prevent wars and avoid casualties, many a time nipping a probable
problem in the bud before it can affect the State.
Thus, Kautilya’s Arthashastra can be characterised as the foundational work of the theory of political
realism and the ideas and concepts therein, represent an untapped potential that can be used to
tackle political problems of today.
|| धन्यवादः ||
19

Arthashastra &amp; Modern Day Espionage

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Arthashastra &amp; Modern Day Espionage

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

PAPER VII – Arthashastra