Society

             Kautilya /Chanakya / Vishnugupta is not as right on the Varna system as the earlier Smriti writers.

Kautilya ‘s Arthashatra’ looked upon the Shudras as an Aryan community which his distinguished  fro mMalechha or non- Aryan community.

             Reduction of gap between the Vaishyas (most of whom were now concentrating on trade though others  continued cultivation ) and the Shudras (quite a few of whom were now agriculturists and others being  artisans). 

              Mangasthenese states that Indian society was divided into 7 classes:

                             1. Philosophers 

                             2. Farmers

                             3. Soldiers 

                            4. Herdsmen 

                            5. Artisans 

                            6. Magistrates 

                            7. Councillors . 

             The ‘classes’ mentioned above appear to have been economic than social.

             Though Megasthenese states that there were no slavery In India; yet, according to Indian sources , slavery was a recognized institution during Mauryan reign. It appears that Megasthenese was thinking of slavery in full legal sense as it existed in the West.

              Women occupied a high position and freedom in the Mauryan Society According   to   Kautilya , women  were permitted to have a divorce  or remarry. Women were employed as personal body –guards of the king spies and in other diverse jobs.