Chandragupta Maurya

He married Seleucus’ daughter, which further enhanced his friendly relations with the Hellenistic kingdoms apart from improving India’s trade with the western world.

He abandoned his throne and converted to Jainism, eventually becoming a Muni under Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu with whom he traveled to Shravanabelagola (in modern Karnataka), where he meditated and fasted to death in 298 BC.

He was succeeded by his son, Bindusara, who was later succeeded by his grandson, Ashoka who became one of the most influential rulers of ancient India.

Chandragupta Maurya was born in 340 BC in Pataliputra, in modern-day Bihar. His background is, however, uncertain. Some claim that he was born to a Nanda prince and his maid-servant, Mura, from the Shudra caste, while others state that he belonged to the Moriya tribe of Peacock-tamers.

Being a brave and determined leader since childhood, he was very well guided by Chanakya, a great Brahmin scholar of economics and political science at Takshashila University, who later became his mentor.

He raised an army with assistance from Chanakya, who went on to become his chief advisor and prime minister after establishing the Maurya Empire.

Chandragupta was able to overcome the Nanda army after a series of battles and finally laid siege of Patliputra, the capital city. The conquest of the Nanda Empire enabled him to lay the foundation of the Maurya Empire in North India at the young age of 20

After Alexander’s death in 323 BC, his empire was divided into three satrapies among his generals, with the Macedonian territories, including Punjab, falling under the control of Seleucus I Nicator.

Since Seleucus was busy on the western borders, Chandragupta took this opportunity to attack and assassinate two Macedonian satrapies, Nicanor of Parthia and Philip, son of Machatas.

After defeating Seleucus, Chandragupta signed a peace treaty with him, according to which he got hold of Punjab in exchange of 500 war elephants.

After a series of unsuccessful attempts, he defeated the forces of Dhana Nanda and his army commander, Bhadrasala, in 321 BC thereby ending the Nanda Dynasty and conquering its capital, Pataliputra.

With a view to further expand his empire, he set his eyes on eastern Persia and successfully invaded it in 305 BC, and captured areas including Hindu Kush, modern-day Afghanistan and Balochistan in Pakistan.