Kautilya on economics as a separate science

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the origin of economics as a separate science.Design/methodology/approachA very comprehensive approach is presented for determining the origin of economics as a science. Three kinds of inter‐related issues are discussed: how to interpret and evaluate earlier, particularly ancient, writings, the specification of the requirements for declaring economics as a science and the definition, scope and methodology of economics.FindingsApplication of the most stringent requirements for declaring economics as a separate science to Kautilya's Arthashastra validated A.K. Sen's claim that it is the first book on economics.Research limitations/implicationsAccording to Kautilya, economics is a separate science but not independent of other disciplines and particularly of ethics. Whereas, most of the current research ignores this inter‐dependence and consequently does not fully capture reality.Practical implicationsIt implies that the inter‐dependence between economics and other disciplines should be encouraged and vigorously explored.Originality/valueIt validates Redman's assertion, “The history of economics as a science is, in my view, still waiting to be properly written”.