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What propaganda methods did Kautilya recommend for weakening an enemy?

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In his work Artha-shastra, Kautilya outlined various psychological warfare strategies designed to weaken an enemy, which can be categorized into overt and covert methods.1

Overt Propaganda

Kautilya advised that a ruler’s propagandists should publicly proclaim the king’s divine favor and magical abilities. By asserting that God and the wisest men support the king, the state aimed to convince the populace that supporting the war effort would lead to certain benefits.1

Covert Operations

To undermine an enemy from within, Kautilya recommended the following clandestine tactics:
* Infiltration: Agents should infiltrate the enemy’s kingdom to spread defeatism and misleading information, specifically targeting the capital city, leadership, and armed forces.1
* Strategic Personnel: A king should employ Brahmans as propagandists and negotiators, as their reputation for being holy and wise lent credibility to their efforts.1
* Alliance Management: Agents were tasked with cultivating goodwill among the king’s friends and the enemies of his enemies. However, Kautilya maintained a pragmatic stance, advising that any alliance or friendship should be discarded if it eventually proved disadvantageous.1