Ancient Indian Cryptography: An Examination of Covert Communication in the Arthashastra

AbstractCryptography is the discipline concerned with the processes of encoding and decoding information that is transmitted from a sender to a recipient. This study compares the cryptography algorithms and encoding methods described in ancient Indian texts. In the fourth century BCE, Kautilya, who is also referred to as Chanakya, authored the Arthashastra, a foundational text concerning Indian governance, military tactics, and economic strat egies. Thestructured use of secret communication and espionage are two of its lesser-known but incredibly profound aspects; these ideas are very similar to those of contemporary cryptography. In this review, cryptographic concepts from the Arthashastra such as coded communications, secure data transmission, and the application of steganography and concealment are examined and contrasted with modern cryptographic ideas. By highlighting the importance of ancient Indian strategic thought in the current discourse on cybersecurity this work aims to reveal the native roots of information security in India.