THE MAURYAN EMPIRE

Chandragupta Maurya defeated the last Nanda ruler to capture Magadha. He was assisted in doing so by the greatest political manipulator, economist, writer and philosopher of all times named Chanakya.

India had always been subjected to invasions fom across mountains and the seas. During the time of Mahapadma Nanda, India was attacked by Alexander the Great, ruler of Macedonia, whose aim was to conquer the world. He entered India, though the Khyber Pass and defeated many small rulers and wanted to proceed further with eyes on the Magadha region. But Alexander's forces were very tired and therefore he had to retrace his steps back in 326 BCE. Alexander died on the way back in 323 BCE. Alexander paved the way for the Mauryan Empire's rule in India.

The Mauryan Empire was one of the first and the largest empires of India and it was a dynasty too. An empire is a monarchy which is usually bigger and larger than other kingdoms, having expanded its territory though expansion and subjugation. Dynasty is the succession of rulers of the same bloodline or household.

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA 

Chandragupta Maurya became the founder of the Mauryan dynasty. After occupying the throne of Magadha, he made plans of expanding his territory. He conquered entire northern India up to the river Indus. He used diplomacy, trickery and war to extend his kingdom. He ruled from 324 BCE to 291 BCE. Megasthenes, an ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, an infantry general of Alexander, whom Chandragupta had defeated, wrote the book Indika giving details regarding his stay in India during the Mauryan rule of Chandragupta Maurya.

Under Chandragupta Maurya, the capital of Magadha was Pataliputra, known as Patna today.

Indika is an account of Mauryan India by Megasthenes. The original book is lost, but its fragments have survived in Greek and Latin works. It is said that Chandragupta Maurya did not sleep in the same room for two days continuously, fearing for his safety. Megasthenes also believed that Chandragupta Maurya was an autocrat and was aware of what was happening in his kingdom with the help of spies.

Chandragupta Maurya's reign came to an end in 297 BCE, when the king abdicated his throne in favour of his son, Bindusara. He is later said to have turned into an ascetic by embracing Jainism.

BINDUSARA

Bindusara was the second Mauryan Emperor in India. He ruled from 297 BCE to 273 BCE. He consolidated the empire created by his father. He extended the southern borders to cover the peninsular plateau of India.

According to Buddhist texts, Bindusara ruled for 28 years. During his reign, be maintained friendly relations with the Greeks. He extended his empire south towards the Deccan. He was succeeded by his son Ashoka, who grew on to become 'Ashoka the Great'.

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