a. Chandragupta Maurya 324-300 BCE: Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. There is very little information about his parents, his birth and early childhood, lie was born in the capital city of Pataliputra. Kautilya, better known as Chanakya, a brahmin from Takshashila took the orphan under his care, educated him in all the princely requirements and trained him to be a worthy commander and Ruler. Chandragupta was fortunate to come under the influence of this great thinker, politician, and statesman.
Military Achievements:
1. Conquests of Punjab : Chandragupta built a strong army under the guidance of Chanakya and defeated the petty Rulers of Punjab and annexed their regions. He then marched against Magadha.
2. Defect of the Nanda ruler: Chandragupta made several attempts to defeat the Nandas. Chanakya had vowed to depose Dhanananda because he had insulted Chanakya. Dhanananda was finally defeated and ** and Chandragupta Maurya became the King of Magadha and established the Mauryan dynasty.
After overthrowing and ending Dhanananda’* oppressive rule, Chandragupta consolidated his power and freed the country from foreign occupation. The Greek Governors appointed by Alexander in the Sindh and Punjab provinces were defeated and the territories were annexed by Chandragupta.
3. War with Seleucus: After the ***** of Alexander, the eastern part of his Empire went over to Seleucus. A war ensued between Seleucus and Chandragupta Maurya. Seleucus was defeated, and he had to sign a treaty with Chandragupta and had to surrender the provinces of Kabul, Afghanistan, Kandahar, and Baluchistan.
This victory of Chandragupta spread his Kingdom up to the frontiers of Hindukush (Afghanistan) the northwest. Seleucus maintained friendly relations with the Mauryas and sent Megasthanes as his Ambassador to Pataliputra.
b. Assessment: Chandragupta was undoubtedly one of the greatest Rulers of India. He expelled the Greeks from the country. According to Jain tradition, in the last days of his reign, Chandragupta abdicated the throne and embraced Jainism under the influence of the Jain scholar Bhadrabahu. lie spent his last days at Shravanabelagola in Karnataka and **** by performing ‘Sallekhana’ in 300 BCE.
