Historical evidences on medicolegal autopsy and toxicological descriptions in Kautilya's Arthaśăstra.

ABSTRACT

Kautilya's Arthaśăstra deals mainly the art of government, duties of Kings, ministers, officials and methods of diplomacy. It also deals with branches of internal and foreign policies, civil, military, commercial, fiscal, judicial etc. By name and popularity of the book, scholars believe this as seed of political science and Economics. Surprisingly, it also has the descriptions of many Ayurvĕda herbs, metals, herbomineral preparations and poisonous substances. This book also deals with medico legal autopsy and Toxicology. The main aim of this article is to highlight the descriptions of forensic medicines and toxicology.