As Alexander the Great’s Generals carved out their own kingdoms from the vast Macedonian Empire, it sent ripple effects that led to a creation of another empire in India. The mysterious Chandragupta Maurya (r. 321 - 297 BCE) emerged from obscurity, established his own dynasty that ruled over much of modern India for more than a century.
Early Life |
| Chandragupta Maurya entertains his bride from Babylon |
Mystery shrouded the past of Chadragupta Maurya. Multiple
sources detailed different origins for the founder of the Maurya Empire. Some
sources suggested he descended from a Kshatriya (Warrior Caste) Clan while
another suggested he came from Sudra (Laborer Caste) parents. His grandson
Ashoka, meanwhile, unfoundedly claimed he had Buddha as his ancestors. Whatever
the case, the lack of definitive background meant an absence of remarkable
background.
Stories narrated Chandragupta grew up raising cattle before
being discovered by India’s Machiavelli Kautilya
otherwise known as Chanakya. According to legend, while Chandragupta played
with his friends, Kautilya found him displaying exemplary leadership and
charisma deciding to adopt the future founder.
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| Modern depiction of Kautilya |
Kautilya had high hopes and ambitions for Chandragupta. He
groomed and trained the child to overthrow the ruling Nanda Dynasty of the
Magahda Region. He once worked under the Nandas, but later his career soured
and faced disgraced. Bitter, he dreamt of the dynasty’s downfall. A dream he
placed into the young Chandragupta.
Rise to Power
Chandragupta, with Kautilya’s help, received quality
education. Kautilya tutored him on basic Hindu text before sending him to
Taxila (in modern day Pakistan), where also studied, for further instruction.
According to legends, Chandragupta met with Alexander the Great during his time
in Taxila that inspired him to emulate the great Macedonian leader’s empire.
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| The Phalanx Attacking the Centre in the Battle of the Hydaspes by André Castaigne |
After receiving his education, he entered into the service
of the Nanda Kings rising to the ranks before finally launching a rebellion as
hoped by Kautilya for long time. During the rebellion, Chandragupta received
advice and support from Kautilya. Together they gained popular support, hired
mercenaries, built up an army, and negotiated an alliance with a Himalayan
ruler King Parvatka.
In 323 BCE, Chandragupta came upon an opportunity to unleash
his army and establish his base. News of Alexander the Great’s death spread and
Chandragupta swept in to take Punjab and other Greek-held lands east of the
Indus River. After taking Punjab and Greek-occupied territories, he turned his
attention back to the Nanda Kings. In 322 BCE, he threw the last blow to the
Nanda Dynasty killing their King and capturing their capital Pataliputra. In
effect he controlled lands from Bengal in the east to the Indus River in the
west establishing the Mauryan Empire.
Consolidation of
Power
With the Mauryan Dynasty established, Chandragupta, who
usurped power from the Nanda Kings, must then secure his hold into power. Once
again, he relied in his indispensable mentor Kautilya who he made his chief
minister and adviser. In turn, Kautilya wanted to mold Chandragupta into the King
he idealized in his renowned Indian political treatise called the Arthashastra
or the Science of Material Gain.
Chandragupta and Kautilya then moved to secure their
position. They eliminated opposition, critics, and rivals. They extended their
control over their dominion through spies serving as his secret police. They
strengthened their authority through establishment of administrative order, one
based on Achaemenid Persia and the Arthashastra. They divided the empire into 4
provinces each with a prince or governor serving upon the good graces of
Chandragupta.
While Chandragupta secured the internal affairs of the
empire, in an age of constant war and aggressive ambitions, he had also to
protect his Empire from external threats – primarily from the neighboring
Seleucid Empire and its Greek ruler Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the
Great’s generals. In 305 BCE, Chandragupta had to protect his realm from the
Greek ruler’s dream of reconquest of Alexander’s Indian lands. He successfully
repulsed the Greek invasion forcing a peace treaty in his favor. He received
Seleucus’ daughter as his bride as well as lands that encompassed parts of
modern day Iran, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. In exchange, he had to send 500
elephants to Seleucus, with some serving in the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BCE. As
a result, Chandragupta had a stable and peaceful frontier in the west.
Chandragupta also welcomed an emissary of Seleucus to his
court. Megasthenes served as the emissary and he became a major source with
regards to India in the western perspective with his work Indika.
Later Years
With the internal and external threats dealt with,
Chandragupta continued his reign and bring development to his empire. He
improved the infrastructure of the empire and expanded the army to maintain its
stability. Inspired by Persian Royal Road, Chandragupta ordered the construction of roads connecting the capital
Pataliputra and other major cities such as Taxila.
He also built a power huge army as a show of might to deter
any thoughts of rebellion. The army, according to Greek records, comprised of
500,000 soldiers. In addition, it had a cavalry force of 30,000 and 9,000 war
elephants. An army meant more to intimidate rather than to facing enemies head
on.
Legends once again shrouded Chandragupta’s later years. Jain
stories suggested Chandragupta welcomed a Jain sage, Bhadrabahu, who prophesied
a 12-year famine. The Mauryan Empire tried to prevent the worst effects of the
famine, but only partially successful. In sorrow, he abdicated his throne in
favor of his son and converted to Jainism
retreating to Jainist holy city of Shravanabelagola. In 297 BCE, he fasted
in hope it would ease his people’s suffering. He fasted in a cave until he succumbed
to starvation and passed away.
Legacy
Chandgragupta Maurya placed himself in history as a founder
of the earliest empire that would dominate much of modern day India, Pakistan,
and Bangladesh. He became the unexpected consequence of Alexander the Great’s
attack on India and becoming the role model of power, glory, and empire. His
successors built upon his foundations through which the greatest Indian ruler,
Ashoka, emerged, and continued to inspire modern day India. Chandragupta went
out from obscurity with the help of his indispensable Kautilya and gave India
the earliest taste of imperial glory.
See also:
Bibliography:
“Chandragupta Maurya.” In Cultural India. Accessed on August
26, 2018. URL: https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-history/ancient-india/chandragupta-maurya.html
Szczepanski, Kallie. “Chandragupta Maurya, Founder of the
Mauryan Empire in 320 BC.” In ThoughtCo. Accessed on August 26, 2018. URL: https://www.thoughtco.com/chandragupta-maurya-195490
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannia. “Chandragupta.” In
Encyclopedia Britannica. Accessed on August 26, 2018. URL: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chandragupta
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