Tarka Shastra (तर्कशास्त्र, IAST: tarkaśāstra) is a Sanskrit term for the philosophy of dialectics, logic and reasoning, and art of debate that analyzes the nature and source of knowledge and its validity.
The meaning of the word tarka also is specific, in that it does not imply a pure logical analysis but a complex activity of discourse guided by strict definitions and goals.
Tarka-Sangraha is a foundational text followed as guidelines for logic and discourse ever since it was composed in the second half of 17th century CE.
It is a form of supposition that can be used as an aid to the attainment of valid knowledge.
Paruthiyur Krishna Sastri (1842–1911) and Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar (1903–1969) specialized in Vyākaraṇa, Mīmāṃsā and Tarka shastra.