Volume V Special Issue III August 2025

Name of Author : Harshika Kapoor, (Dr.) Maneesh Yadav

Title of the paper : Ancient Literature of Corporate Governance in India

Abstract: This paper discusses the root of corporate governance in the ancient Indian literature most especially in the literature of Arthashastra by Kautilya and Manusmriti. It reflects on how some of these texts secured fundamental values of ethical leadership, accountability, transparency and responsibility way before the advent of modern legal structures. The paper relies on secondary sources and qualitative content analysis to find themes of governance based on Dharma, the wellbeing of stakeholders, and a moral sense of duty. The principle of financial responsibility and advisory functions to the positions as found in the contemporary boards is also the important aspect that is favored by the Arthashastra and the principle of fair play and moral duty as the corporate responsibility is found in the Manusmriti. The article presents the argument that these ancient Indian ideas can be compared to our current systems of governance and that using such traditional ideas in the contemporary education and policymaking process in the modern world may help create more ethical conduct in the business world.

Keywords : Corporate Governance, Ancient Indian Literature, Ethical Leadership, Accountability, Dharma

DOI :

Page Number : 105-118