Chandragupta Maurya
MAURYAN EMPIRE UNDER CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA
After the return of Alexander from India, the Mauryan king Chandragupta defeated the Nandas of Magadha and established the Mauryan empire. Most of the Nanda territories and other regions of India were subjugated by Chandragupta Maurya. In this work of building the empire, it is said that he was ably assisted by Kautalya or Chanakya, who was the Prime Minister in the court of Chandragupta.
After the return of Alexander from India, the Mauryan king Chandragupta defeated the Nandas of Magadha and established the Mauryan empire. Most of the Nanda territories and other regions of India were subjugated by Chandragupta Maurya. In this work of building the empire, it is said that he was ably assisted by Kautalya or Chanakya, who was the Prime Minister in the court of Chandragupta.
ARTHASHASTRA
Kautalya wrote Arthashastra, a political treatise, which is quite often compared with Machivalli’s ‘The Prince’. Kautalya suggested various methods of subjugating neighbouring territories. However, there is a controversy among historians regarding the date of Arthashastra. It is said that certain parts of the text belongs to the Mauryan period.
Kautalya wrote Arthashastra, a political treatise, which is quite often compared with Machivalli’s ‘The Prince’. Kautalya suggested various methods of subjugating neighbouring territories. However, there is a controversy among historians regarding the date of Arthashastra. It is said that certain parts of the text belongs to the Mauryan period.
EMPIRE BUILDING
Chandragupta, with the help of his huge army, established the biggest empire of India ever. For the first time, we find the systematic imposition of taxation (if we believe the statements made by Arthashastra). An empire with a huge standing army and bureaucracy required a huge resource base which was provided by both imposing different kinds of taxation and collecting tribute from defeated princes of neighbouring territories.
Chandragupta, with the help of his huge army, established the biggest empire of India ever. For the first time, we find the systematic imposition of taxation (if we believe the statements made by Arthashastra). An empire with a huge standing army and bureaucracy required a huge resource base which was provided by both imposing different kinds of taxation and collecting tribute from defeated princes of neighbouring territories.
DEATH OF CHANDRAGUPTA
In the later part of his life, it is said that Chandragupta Maurya, who was a Hindu, became a Jaina. He went to South India and died there. He was succeeded by his son Bindusara who still consolidated the Mauryan empire.
In the later part of his life, it is said that Chandragupta Maurya, who was a Hindu, became a Jaina. He went to South India and died there. He was succeeded by his son Bindusara who still consolidated the Mauryan empire.
Bindusara conquered some of the parts of southern peninsula. Thus, he established and consolidated a huge empire. He was a saivite by faith. He also maintained contact with his Greek counterparts. He asked the Greek kings to send a Sophist to his court. It is said that he actually succeeded in obtaining the service of one Sophist. This shows the interest of Indian kings in Greek philosophy and culture. His death led to conflict among his sons and it said that his son Asoka emerged victorious after killing his brothers.
Reference:
1. K. A. Nilakantha Shastri, The Age of Nandas and Mauryas, Banaras, 1952.
2. D.D. Kosambi, An Introduction to the Study of Indian History, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1985.
1. K. A. Nilakantha Shastri, The Age of Nandas and Mauryas, Banaras, 1952.
2. D.D. Kosambi, An Introduction to the Study of Indian History, Popular Prakashan, Bombay, 1985.
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