Chandragupta Maurya

[[File:Chandragupta_mauryan_empire.GIF|Chandragupta mauryan empire.GIF

7th-century Bhadrabahu Sanskrit inscription, Purvahale Kannada script, Shravanabelgola Karnataka

Chanakya artistic depiction

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Chandragupt maurya Birla mandir 6 dec 2009 (31)

Chandragupta Maurya Empire c.290 BCE

Chandragupta Maurya (reigned c. 321 – c. 297 BCE) was the founder of the Maurya Empire in ancient India. He built one of the largest empires on the Indian subcontinent and is considered one of its greatest military minds. Chandragupta's life and accomplishments are a blend of historical facts and folklore, documented in various ancient texts, including the Arthashastra attributed to Chanakya, his chief advisor.

Early Life

Little is known about Chandragupta's early life. According to Jain traditions, he was born in a humble family in the Magadha region and was orphaned at an early age. He was discovered by Chanakya, a teacher and strategist at Takshashila University, who saw in him the potential to challenge the Nanda Dynasty that ruled much of the North Indian plains.

Rise to Power

With the guidance and counsel of Chanakya, Chandragupta raised an army and overthrew the Nanda king, Dhana Nanda, establishing the Mauryan Empire. This marked the beginning of a new era in Indian history, characterized by political unification and administrative innovation.

Expansion of the Empire

After consolidating power in the Gangetic plains, Chandragupta turned his attention to the north-western territories, which were under the control of the Greek satraps left by Alexander the Great. Through a series of campaigns, Chandragupta was able to annex these regions into his empire. The most notable of these conquests was his battle against Seleucus I Nicator, a general of Alexander and the founder of the Seleucid Empire. The two leaders eventually reached a settlement, through which Chandragupta gained control over vast territories in the north-west in exchange for 500 war elephants.

Administration

Chandragupta's rule is noted for its significant administrative reforms. He established a centralized government with a complex bureaucracy that managed everything from tax collection to internal security. The Arthashastra provides insights into the sophisticated governance and economic policies of the Maurya Empire under Chandragupta's leadership.

Retirement and Death

In his later years, Chandragupta abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Bindusara, and became a follower of Jainism under the guidance of Bhadrabahu, a Jain monk. He is said to have migrated south with Bhadrabahu during a period of famine and eventually died at Shravanabelagola, Karnataka, after undertaking the ritual of Sallekhana, a form of voluntary death by fasting.

Legacy

Chandragupta Maurya's legacy is that of a visionary leader who laid the foundations of the first great Indian empire. His achievements set the stage for the golden age of the Maurya Empire under his grandson, Ashoka the Great. Chandragupta's life and empire have been subjects of admiration and study in Indian culture and history.

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