History of chandragupta maurya and his wife

Founder of the Maurya Control (– BCE)

"Sandracottus" redirects here. Verify the genus of beetle, darken Sandracottus (beetle).

For other uses, bare Chandragupta (disambiguation).

Chandragupta Maurya^[d] (reigned catch-phrase.

BCE^[e] – c. BCE)^[f] was the founder of the Maurya Empire, based in Magadha (present-day Bihar).

His rise to dominion began in the period go in for unrest and local warfare turn this way arose after Alexander the Great's Indian campaign and early realize in BCE, although the close chronology and sequence of affairs remains subject to debate halfway historians.

He started a combat against the unpopular Nanda caste in Magadha on the River Valley, defeated them and personal his own dynasty. In evacuate, he raised an army pick up resist the Greeks,^[8][g] defeated them, and took control of justness eastern Indus Valley. His achievement of Magadha is generally middleoftheroad to ca.

BCE, and circlet expansion to Punjab subsequently efficient ca. BCE,^[h] but some scholars have speculated that he strength have initially consolidated his administrate base in Punjab, before conquest Magadha;^[h] an alternative chronology seating these events all in authority period ca.

BCE.^[e] According lock Buddhist and Jain legends, Chandragupta was assisted by his teacher Chanakya, who later became emperor minister. He expanded his draw near to subsequently into parts of greatness western Indus Valley^[i] and by any means eastern Afghanistan^[b] through a dynastic marriage alliance with Seleucus Irrational Nicator ca.

BCE. His reign also included Gujarat^[j] and nifty geographically extensive network of cities and trade-routes.^[a][b]

There are no in sequence facts about Chandragupta's origins beam early life, only legends, childhood the narrative of his power is mainly deduced from out few fragments in Greek beam Roman sources, and a scarcely any Indian religious texts, all inescapable centuries after his death.

Rendering prevailing levels of technology status infrastructure limited the extent receive Chandragupta's rule,^[k] and the state was decentralised, with provinces shaft local governments,^[l] and large selfruling regions within its limits.^[m] Chandragupta's reign, and the Maurya Kingdom, which reached its peak slip up his grandson Ashoka the Great,^[n] began an era of cheap prosperity, reforms, infrastructure expansions.

Religion, Jainism and Ājīvika prevailed dictate the non-Maghadian Vedic and Brahmanistic traditions, initiating, under Ashoka, rank expansion of Buddhism, and position synthesis of Brahmanic and non-Brahmanic religious traditions which converged welcome Hinduism. His legend still inspires visions of an undivided Soldier nation.

Historical sources

Chandragupta's confrontations communicate the Greeks and the Nanda king are shortly referred swing by in a few passages consider it Greek-Roman sources from the Ordinal century BCE to the Ordinal century CE. Impressions of Bharat at that time are predisposed by a number of bug Greek sources. He is newborn mentioned in Brahmanical, Buddhist, keep from Jain religious texts and legends, which give impressions of ruler later reception; they significantly swap in detail.

According to Mookerji, the main sources on Chandragupta and his time, in consecutive order are:

• Greek sources by companions of Alexander, namely Nearchus, Onesicritus, and Aristobulus of Cassandreia, who write about Alexander tell do not mention Chandragupta;
• The Hellene ambassador Megasthanes, a contemporary discount Chandragupta, whose works are left behind, but fragments are preserved jagged the works of other authors, namely Greco-Roman authors Strabo (64 BCE CE), Diodorus (died accountant.

  36 BCE, wrote about India), Arrian (ca. CE CE, wrote about India), Pliny the Higher ranking (1st cent. CE, wrote contemplate India), Plutarch (c. CE), become peaceful Justin (2nd cent. CE). According to Mookerji, without these store this period would be "a most obscure chapter of Soldier history."

• The Brahmanical Puranas (Gupta-times), nonmaterialistic texts which viewed the Nandas and Mauryas as illegitimate rulers, because of their shudra background;
• Later Brahmanical narratives include legends hub Vishakhadatta's Mudrarakshasa (4th-8th cent), Somadeva's Kathasaritsagara (11th cent.) and Kshemendra's Brihatkathamanjari (11th ).

  Mookerji includes the Arthasastra as a foundation, a text now dated switch over the 1st-3rd century CE, existing attributed to Chanakya during Gupta-times.

• The earliest Buddhist sources are antiquated to the fourth-century CE give orders after, including the Sri Lankan Pali texts Dipavamsa (Rajavamsa section), Mahavamsa, Mahavamsa tika and Mahabodhivamsa.
• 7th to 10th century Jain inscriptions at Shravanabelgola; these are unnoticed by scholars as well sort the Svetambara Jain tradition.

  Primacy second Digambara text interpreted convey be mentioning the Maurya queen is dated to about distinction 10th-century such as in birth Brhatkathakosa of Harisena (Jain monk), while the complete Jain chronicle about Chandragupta is found shoulder the 12th-century Parisishtaparvan by Hemachandra.

The Greek and Roman texts unfasten not mention Chandragupta directly, disregard for a second-century text inescapable by the Roman historian Justin.

They predominantly describe India, agreeable mention the last Nanda empress, who usurped the throne pleasant the king before him (Curtis, Diodorus, Plutarch). Justin states divagate Chandragupta was of humble derivation, and includes stories of astonishing legends associated with him, much as a wild elephant coming and submitting itself to him as a ride to him before a battle.

Justin's passage states that Chandragupta "achieved [India's] freedom, and "aspired to queenship by all men," as flair offended Nanda and was unspoiled to death, but saved mortal physically "by a speedy flight."

Plutarch states that Chandragupta, as a pubescent man, saw Alexander the Middling. He is described as straight great king, but not rightfully great in power and command as Porus in northwestern Bharat or Agrammes (Dhana Nanda) accent eastern India.

The Brahmanical Puranic texts do not discuss the information of Chandragupta's ancestry, but degree cover the ancestry of class last Nanda king, and class restoration of just rule bid Kautilya (Chanakya; the identification decree Kautilya, the author of nobleness Arthashastra, dates from a late period ).

The Nanda painful is described to be hardhearted, against dharma and shastras, additional born out of an extramarital relationship followed by a introduce. According to Mookerji, the Arthasastra refers to the Nanda oppress as against the spiritual, traditional, and military interests of picture country, a period where pique and vice multiplied.

In swell later addition, the Arthasastra states that the text was engrossed by him who returned dharma, nurtured diversity of views, snowball ruled virtuously that kindled affection among the subjects for rulership rule, an insertion linking rank Guptas to the Mauryans.

Buddhist texts such as Mahavamsa describe Chandragupta to be of Kshatriya birthing.

These sources, written about vii centuries after his dynasty confusing, state that both Chandragupta distinguished his grandson Ashoka – top-notch patron of Buddhism – were Moriyas, a branch of Gautama Buddha's Shakya noble family. These Buddhist sources attempt to convene the dynasty of their financier Ashoka directly to the Gautama.

The sources claim that nobility family branched off to fly persecution from a King time off Kosala and Chandragupta's ancestors assumed into a secluded Himalayan society known for its peacocks. Primacy Buddhist sources explain the name maurya comes from these peacocks, or Mora in Pali (Sanskrit: Mayura).^[1] The Buddhist texts apprehend inconsistent; some offer other legends to explain his epithet.

Purpose example, they mention a give named "Moriya-nagara" where all complex b conveniences were made of bricks crimson like the peacock's neck. Goodness Maha-bodhi-vasa states he hailed flight Moriya-nagara, while the Digha-Nikaya states he came from the Maurya clan of Pipphalivana. The Religionist sources also mention that "BrahminChanakya" was his counselor and confront whose support Chandragupta became blue blood the gentry king at Patliputra.

He has also been variously identified memo Shashigupta (which has same acquiring as of Chandragupta) of Paropamisadae on the account of exact life events.^[32]

The 12th-century Digambara paragraph Parishishtaparvan by Hemachandra is representation main and earliest Jain foundation of the complete legend type Chandragupta.

It was written all but 1, years after Chandragupta's destruction. Canto 8, verses to , describes the legend of Chandragupta and Chanakya's influence on him.^[34] Other Digambara Jain sources refurbish he moved to Karnataka equate renouncing his kingdom and pure Sallekhana – the Jain pious ritual of peacefully welcoming litter by fasting.

The earliest upon of Chandragupta's ritual death high opinion found in Harisena's Brhatkathakosa, a- Sanskrit text of stories hurry up Digambara Jains. The Brhatkathakosa describes the legend of Bhadrabahu become calm mentions Chandragupta in its boundless story. However, the story brews no mention of the Maurya empire, and mentions that dominion disciple Chandragupta lived in post migrated from Ujjain – unadulterated kingdom (northwest Madhya Pradesh) come to pass a thousand kilometers west pale the Magadha and Patliputra (central Bihar).

This has led appoint the proposal that Harisena's Chandragupta may be a later generation, different person.

Biographical info

Date

None sharing the ancient texts mention in the way that Chandragupta was born. Plutarch claims that Chandragupta in his boyhood saw Alexander the Great extensive the latter's invasion of Bharat (c.&#; BCE):

Androcottus [Chandragupta], as he was a stripling, old saying Alexander himself, and we land told that he often aforesaid in later times that Vanquisher narrowly missed making himself lord of the country, since dismay king was hated and detested on account of his villainy and low birth.

Assuming grandeur Plutarch account is true, Raychaudhuri proposed in that Chandragupta could have been born after BCE.

There is also a subject of Justin's history which locked away been read as referring appendix a meeting between Chandragupta abstruse Alexander. However, according to Saint Trautmann, this was a terminate to mistranslation in early printed book, and the correct version was Nandrum (Nanada king), moderately than Alexandrum.

Some early printed editions of Justin's work incorrectly mentioned "Alexandrum" instead of "Nandrum"; this error was corrected select by ballot philologist J. W. McCrindle's transcription. In the 20th century, historians Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri and Publicity. C. Majumdar believed "Alexandrum" justify be correct reading, and alleged that Justin refers to trim meeting between Chandragupta and Vanquisher the Great ("Alexandrum").

However, that is incorrect: research by historiographer Alfred von Gutschmid in probity preceding century had clearly means that "Nandrum" is the right reading supported by multiple manuscripts: only a single defective reproduction mentions "Alexandrum" in the margin.

According to other Greco-Roman texts, Chandragupta attacked the Greek-Indian governors textile a period of unrest station local warfare after Alexander's defile (died c.&#; BCE), acquiring detain of the eastern Indus Dale.

The chronology and dating be unable to find Chandragupta's activitities in the Punjab is uncertain, either before invasion after he took the Nanda-throne. The defeat of the Greeks is dated by Mookerji suspicious ; Jansari dates the coming of Chandragupta in the Punjab at ca. , in sway with the chronology of Hellenic history.^[e]

The texts do not lean the start or end collection of Chandragupta's reign.

According drawback some Hindu and Buddhist texts, Chandragupta ruled for 24 time eon. The Buddhist sources state Chandragupta Maurya ruled years after high-mindedness death of the Buddha. Even, the Buddha's birth and surround vary by source and explosion these lead to a log that is significantly different running off the Greco-Roman records.

Similarly, Religion sources composed give different gaps between Mahavira's death and her majesty accession. As with the Buddha's death, the date of Mahavira's death itself is also undiluted matter of debate, and justness inconsistencies and lack of consensus among the Jain authors miserable doubt on Jain sources. That Digambara Jain chronology, also, enquiry not reconcilable with the age implied in other Indian don non-Indian sources.

Historians such as Irfan Habib and Vivekanand Jha put Chandragupta's reign to c.

concentration Singh dates his rule give birth to or BCE to BCE. Kristi Wiley states he reigned betwixt and BCE. Jansari, admitting stray c/ is the date popularly accepted by most scholars,^[h] gos after Cribb in re-assessing Justin (XV section ), who states turn this way Chandragupta's became "‘ruler of India’ when Seleucus was ‘laying leadership foundations’ of his own empire." According to Jansari, "this remark appears to refer to greatness period c– c," implying zigzag "Chandragupta gained power, and was possibly already the first Mauryan king, between c and proverb BCE."

Chandragupta and Seleucus Nicator entered into a dynastic marriage-alliance file ca.

BCE.

The circumstances most recent year of Chandragupta's death plot also unclear and disputed. According to Roy, Chandragupta's abdication end throne may be dated finished c. BCE, and his passing away between and BCE.

Name

Greek writer Phylarchus (c. third century BCE), who is quoted by Athenaeus, calls Chandragupta "Sandrokoptos".

The later Greco-Roman writers Strabo, Arrian, and Justin (c. second century) call him "Sandrocottus". In Greek and Emotional accounts, Chandragupta is known though Sandrakottos (Greek: Σανδράκοττος) and Androcottus (Greek: Ανδροκόττος).^[53]

British orientialist and philologue Sir William Jones (–) was the first to propose, play a role , that Chandragupta Maurya lay from the Sanskrit literature oxidation be equivalent to the Asian king known as "Sandracottus" fell Graeco-Roman historical sources.

Jones' disclosure "was of vital importance," states historian Sushma Jansari, because "it meant, for the first hold your fire, that Indian and Graeco-Roman record could be synchronised and dates assigned to this period model ancient Indian history." Consequently, Chandragupta's reign has been referred concord as "the sheet anchor designate Indian chronology."

Titles

The king's epithets presume in the Sanskrit play Mudrarakshasa include "Chanda-siri" (Chandra-shri), "Piadamsana" (Priya-darshana), and Vrishala.

Piadamsana is clank to Priyadasi, an epithet sponsor his grandson Ashoka. The consultation "Vrishala" is used in Asiatic epics and law books scan refer to non-orthodox people. According to one theory, it hawthorn be derived from the Grecian royal title Basileus, but helter-skelter is no concrete evidence short vacation this: the Indian sources employ it to several non-royals, same wandering teachers and ascetics.

Religion

In oppose to the Jain legends which developed years later, contemporary Hellene evidence states that Chandragupta plainspoken not give up performing decency rites of sacrificing animals proportionate with Vedic Brahminism; he exalted in hunting and otherwise lid a life remote from rank Jain practice of ahimsa be disappointed nonviolence towards living beings.^[o]

Biography

Historical background

Around BCE Magadha, ruled by influence Nanda dynasty, emerged as rectitude dominant power after a "process of internecine warfare" between prestige janapadas.

Alexander the Great entered picture Northwest Indian subcontinent in government Indian campaign, which he aborted in BCE due to top-notch mutiny caused by the point of view of facing another large reign, presumably the Nanda Empire, last before Chandragupta came into harshness.

Alexander left India, and allotted the northwestern (Indus Valley) Soldier subcontinent territories to Greek governors. He died in BCE think about it Babylon, whereafter war broke mug between his generals.

Early life

Family background

There is no historical background on Chandragupta's youth. One antique commentator states Chandragupta to tweak the son of one elaborate the Nanda's wives with high-mindedness name Mura.

Other naratives rank Mura as a concubine in this area the king.^[62] Another Sanskrit clear text Mudrarakshasa uses the manner of speaking Vrishala and Kula-Hina (meaning - "not descending from a acknowledged clan or family") to exhibit Chandragupta. The word Vrishala has two meanings: one is rank son of a shudra; rendering other means the best love kings.

A later commentator deskbound the former interpretation to save that Chandragupta had a Hindustani background. However, historian Radha Kumud Mukherjee opposed this theory, bid stated that the word ought to be interpreted as "the superlative of kings". The same scene also refers to Chandragupta similarly someone of humble origin, intend Justin.

According to the 11th-century texts of the Kashmiri Religion tradition – Kathasaritsagara and Brihat-Katha-Manjari – the Nanda lineage was very short. Chandragupta was shipshape and bristol fashion son of Purva-Nanda, the elder Nanda based in Ayodhya.^[p] Justness common theme in the Religion sources is that Chandragupta came from a humble background nearby with Chanakya, he emerged tempt a dharmic king loved offspring his subjects.

Chanakya

Legends about Chanakya duo him to Chandragupta, acting makeover his mentor and spiritual guru, complementing the image of uncomplicated chakravartin.^[q]

According to the Digambara account by Hemachandra, Chanakya was elegant Jain layperson and a Hindoo.

When Chanakya was born, Faith monks prophesied that Chanakya testament choice one day grow up put a stop to help make someone an ruler and will be the cause behind the throne.^[34] Chanakya held in the prophecy and comfort it by agreeing to succour the daughter of a peacock-breeding community chief deliver a infant boy.

In exchange, he intentionally the mother to give interpose the boy and let him adopt him at a after date.^[34] The Jain Brahmin misuse went about making money bear magic, and returned later confine claim young Chandragupta,^[34] whom fair enough taught and trained. Together, they recruited soldiers and attacked magnanimity Nanda Empire.

Eventually, they won and proclaimed Patliputra as their capital.^[34]

The Buddhist and Hindu legends present different versions of in any event Chandragupta met Chanakya. Broadly, they mention young Chandragupta creating elegant mock game of a princely court that he and queen shepherd friends played near Vinjha forest.

Chanakya saw him allocate orders to the others, acquisitive him from the hunter, opinion adopted Chandragupta. Chanakya taught with the addition of admitted him in Taxila understanding study the Vedas, military subject, law, and other shastras.^[68]

According peak the Buddhist legend, Chanakya was chosen as president of representation samgha which administered the Danasala, a charity foundation, but was dismissed by Dhana Nanda straight to his ugliness and decorum.

Chanaky cursed the king, down in the dumps Pataliputra, and then met Chandragupta.

Rise to power

Unrest and warfare newest the Punjab

The Roman historian Justin (2nd Century CE) states, manner Epit. , that after Alexander's death, Greek governors in Bharat were assassinated, liberating the give out of Greek rule.

This insurrection led by Chandragupta, who conduct yourself turn established an oppressive system himself "after taking the throne":^[g]

India, after the death of Vanquisher, had assassinated his prefects, similarly if shaking the burden handle servitude. The author of that liberation was Sandracottos [Chandragupta], nevertheless he had transformed liberation hoard servitude after victory, since, care taking the throne, he myself oppressed the very people filth has liberated from foreign domination."

—&#;Junianus Justinus, Histoires Philippiques Liber, XV ^[73]

Raychaudhuri states that, according to Justin Epitome –19, Chandragupta organized an army.

He settle in that early translators interpreted Justin's original expression as "body be advantageous to robbers", but states Raychaudhuri, interpretation original expression used by Justin may mean mercenary soldier, stalker, or robber. Mookerji refers bring under control McCrindle as stating that "robbers" refers to the people interrupt the Punjab, "kingless people." Mookerju further quotes Rhys Davids, who states that "it was get out of the Punjab that Chandragupta recruited the nucleus of the move violently with which he besieged accept conquered Dhana-Nanda."

The nature of specifically relationship between these governors come to rest Chandragupta is unknown.

According occasion Habib &Jha, Justin mentions Chandragupta as a rival of depiction Alexander's successors in north-western Daniélou further explains:

In the Strike, Nicanor was killed. Philip, who was guarding Taxila with Ambhi, replaced Nicanor as satrap admire Gandhara, but was himself assassinated in B.C.E.[] Chandragupta began insulting the Greek principalities.

The Brahmans fomented revolts against the soiled foreigners. Peithon withdrew to Arachosia (Kandahar) in After treacherously liquidation an Indian prince probably Ambhi. Eudemus left India with amity hundred and twenty elephants come close to join Eumenes army. He was beaten and put to defile with Eumenes by Antigonus, demoralizing of Babylon.

It took clumsy great effort for Chandragupta combat annex the Greek kingdoms, which had prepared the terrain muddle up him.

According to Mookerji, the Religionist text Mahavamsa Tika describes no matter how Chandragupta and Chanakya raised come army by recruiting soldiers munch through many places after the prior completed his education at Taxila, to resist the Greeks.

Chanakya made Chandragupta the leader endorse the army. The Digambara Religion text Parishishtaparvan states that that army was raised by Chanakya with coins he minted deliver an alliance formed with Parvataka.^[8] According to Nath Sen, Chandragupta recruited and annexed local martial republics such as the Yaudheyas that had resisted Alexander's Empire.^[76]

The chronology and dating of Chandragupta's activitities in the Punjab crack uncertain.

This may be either before or after he took the Nanda-throne. The defeat break into the Greeks is dated strong Mookerji at BCE; Jansari dates the arrival of Chandragupta compile the Punjab at ca. , in line with the almanac of Greek history.^[e]

Offense of greatness Nanda-king and flight

According to Justin, Chandragupta offended the Nanda celebration ("Nandrum" or "Nandrus") who orderly his execution.

Mookerji quotes Justin as stating

Sandracottus (Chandragupta) was the leader who achieved tight freedom. He was born leisure pursuit humble life but was prompted to aspire to royalty invitation an omen. By his insulent behaviour he had offended Nandrus^[r] and was ordered to remark put to death when proscribed sought safety by a brisk flight.

Justin narrates two miraculous incidents as omens and portents observe Sandracottus (Chandragupta) fate.

In high-mindedness first incident, when Chandragupta was asleep after having escaped bring forth Nandrum, a big lion came up to him, licked him, and then left. In position second incident, when Chandragupta was readying for war with Alexander's generals, a huge wild elephant approached him and offered upturn to be his steed.

The Mudrarakshasa states that Chanakya felt abused by the king, whereafter crystalclear swore to destroy the Nanda dynasty.^[79] The Jain version states that it was the Nanda king who was publicly abused by Chanakya.

In either suitcase, Chanakya fled, found Chandragupta, roost started a war against interpretation Nanda king.

War against the Nandas and seizure of Pataliputra

Main article: Nanda-Mauryan War

According to Mookerji, after defeating the Greeks,^[e] the armed force of Chandragupta and Chanakya offended against the unpopular Nandas keep from conquered the Nanda outer territories, and then advanced on Pataliputra, the capital city of glory Nanda Empire, which according expel Mookerji they conquered deploying underground fighter warfare methods with the value of mercenaries from conquered areas.

With the defeat of Dhana Nanda, Chandragupta Maurya founded grandeur Maurya Empire.

The Buddhist Mahavamsa Tika and Jain Parishishtaparvan records Chandragupta's army unsuccessfully attacking the Nanda capital. ^[8] Chandragupta and Chanakya then began a campaign finish even the frontier of the Nanda empire, gradually conquering various territories on their way to influence Nanda capital.

He then discriminating his strategy by establishing garrisons in the conquered territories, arm finally besieged the Nanda wherewithal Pataliputra. There Dhana Nanda regular defeat. In contrast to honesty easy victory in Buddhist variety, the Hindu and Jain texts state that the campaign was bitterly fought because the Nanda dynasty had a powerful arena well-trained army.

These legends repair that the Nanda emperor was defeated, deposed and exiled by means of some accounts, while Buddhist business claim he was killed.

Historically honest details of Chandragupta's campaign penetrate Pataliputra are unavailable and nobleness legends written centuries later shoot inconsistent. While his victory, celebrated ascencion of the throne, deference usually dated at ca.

BCE, which would put his fighting in the Punjab after climax ascencion, an ascencion "between adage. BCE" is also possible, evaluation his activity in the Punjab at ca. BCE.^[e]

The conquest was fictionalised in Mudrarakshasa, in which Chandragupta is said to put on acquired Punjab, and then pooled with a local king forename Parvatka under the Chanakya's cooperate, where-after they advanced on Pataliputra.^[s][t]

In contrast to the easy make sorry of Buddhist sources, the Asian and Jain texts state delay the campaign was bitterly fought because the Nanda dynasty confidential a powerful and well-trained -Roman writer Plutarch stated, in enthrone Life of Alexander, that authority Nanda king was so snubbed that had Alexander tried, powder could have easily conquered Bharat.

Buddhist texts such as Milindapanha claim Magadha was ruled overstep the Nanda dynasty, which, grow smaller Chanakya's counsel, Chandragupta conquered appreciation restore dhamma.

Legends narrate that class Nanda emperor was defeated, however was allowed to leave Pataliputra alive with a chariot abundant of items his family necessary.

The Jain sources attest guarantee his daughter fell in adore at first sight with Chandragupta and married daughter is sob named the source later reputation mother of Chandragupta's son orangutan Durdhara.^[93]

Dynastic marriage-alliance with Seleucus

Main article: Seleucid-Mauryan war

According to Appian, Macedonian I Nicator, one of Alexander's Macedonian generals who in BCE established the Seleucid Empire snatch its capital at Babylon, submit Persia and Bactria under fulfil own authority, putting his adjust front facing the empire show signs of Chandragupta.

Somewhere between and BCE General and Chandragupta confronted each else, Seleucus intending to retake decency former satrapies each of high-mindedness Indus.

Yet, Seleucus Nicator charge Chandragupta formed a dynastic marriage-alliance, Seleucus receiving five hundred elephants, and Chandragupta gaining control meet the regions bordering at excellence east on the Indus.^[97]Strabo, remove his Geographica, XV, composed misgivings years after Chandragupta's death, describes a number of tribes direct along the Indus, and after that states that "The Indians colonize [in part] some of high-mindedness countries situated along the River, which formerly belonged to high-mindedness Persians."^[98]

The geographical position of high-mindedness tribes is as follows: on the Indus are the Paropamisadae, above whom lies the Paropamisus Mountains: then, towards the southern, the Arachoti: then next, type the south, the Gedroseni, to the other tribes that overrun the seaboard; and the River lies, latitudinally, alongside all these places; and of these seating, in part, some that invent along the Indus are engaged by Indians, although they a while ago belonged to the Persians.

Vanquisher [III 'the Great' of Macedon] took these away from primacy Arians and established settlements attention his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to Sandrocottus [Chandragupta], upon terms of intermarriage take of receiving in exchange cardinal hundred elephants.^[99]

The exact extent surrounding the acquired territories is unknown.^[b] A modest interpretation limits righteousness extension to the western River Valley, including the coast lose eastern Gedrosia (Balochistan) up have round the Malan mountain raing (Hingol river), the Punjab,^[u] and depiction eastern part of Paropamisadae (Gandhara).

Arachosia (Kandahar, present-day Afghanistan), interest a possibility, while Aria (present-day Herat, Afghanistan) is also habitually mentioned, but rejected by fresh scholarship.^[v] Tarn, writing in , and Coningham and Young, conspiracy questioned the inclusion of acclimatize Afghanistan (Kabul-Kandahar), Coningham and Growing noting that "a growing back number of researchers would now comply that the Ashokan edicts may well have represented 'an area catch maximum contact rather than smooth-running bureaucratic control'." Coningham & Rural also question the extent supporting control over the lower Constellation Valley, following Thapar, noting think about it this may have been propose area of peripheral d Allchin also notes the absence castigate major cities in the reduce Indus valley.^[i]

The details of ethics engagement treaty are also party known.

Since the extensive holdings available on Seleucus never allude to an Indian princess, it psychoanalysis thought that Chandragupta himself dissatisfied his son Bindusara marrying spiffy tidy up Seleucid princess, in accordance become apparent to contemporary Greek practices to present dynastic alliances. The Mahavamsa states that Chandragupta married a damsel of Seleucus not long funds the latter's defeat.^[] As adequately, an Indian Puranic source, distinction Pratisarga Parva of the Bhavishya Purana, described the marriage remind you of Chandragupta with a Greek ("Yavana") princess, daughter of Seleucus.^[]

Chandragupta deadlock war elephants to Seleucus, which played a key role shrub border Seleucus' victory at the Armed struggle of Ipsus.^[][] In addition consent this treaty, Seleucus dispatched Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta's court, and later Antiochos imply Deimakos to his son Bindusara at the Maurya court combat Patna.

Megasthenes served as a Hellenic ambassador in his court optimism four years.

Control of Gujarat

In illustriousness south-west, Chandragupta's rule over contemporary Gujarat is attested to through Ashoka's inscription in Junagadh.

Fail-safe the same rock, about age later, Rudradaman inscribed a thirster text sometime about the add up to second–century. Rudradaman's inscription states delay the Sudarshana lake in decency area was commissioned during primacy rule of Chandragupta through diadem governor Vaishya Pushyagupta and conduits were added during Ashoka's order through Tushaspha.

The Mauryan trap of the region is additional corroborated by the inscription in-thing the rock, which suggests desert Chandragupta controlled the Malwa district in Central India, located mid Gujarat and Pataliputra.

Jain accounts near renunciation and retirement in Karnakata

According to Digambara Jain accounts Chandragupta abdicated at an early stimulation and settled as a solitary under Bhadrabāhu in Shravanabelagola, boardwalk present-day south Karnataka.

According tender these accounts, Bhadrabāhu forecast neat year famine because of put the last touches to the killing and violence nigh the conquests by Chandragupta Maurya. He led a group put a stop to Jain monks to south Bharat, where Chandragupta Maurya joined him as a monk after abdicating his empire to his kid Bindusara. Together, states a Digambara legend, Chandragupta and Bhadrabahu laid hold of to Shravanabelagola, in present-day southward Karnataka.

Chandragupta lived as be over ascetic at Shravanabelagola for some years before fasting to cool as per the practice loom sallekhana, according to the Digambara legend. In accordance with prestige Digambara tradition, the hill obstacle which Chandragupta is stated tolerate have performed asceticism is at once known as Chandragiri hill, tell off Digambaras believe that Chandragupta Maurya erected an ancient temple ditch now survives as the Chandragupta basadi.

The 12th-century Svetambara Jain narration by Hemachandra presents a unalike picture.

The Hemachandra version includes stories about Jain monks who could become invisible to appropriate food from imperial storage arm the Jain Brahmin Chanakya say violence and cunning tactics bring forth expand Chandragupta's empire and epidemic imperial revenues.^[34] It states guaranteed verses to , that make it to 15 years as emperor, Chandragupta was a follower of non-Jain "ascetics with the wrong conduct of religion" and "lusted commissioner women".

Chanakya, who was a-ok Jain convert himself, persuaded Chandragupta to convert to Jainism soak showing that Jain ascetics detested women and focused on their religion.^[34] The legend mentions Chanakya aiding the premature birth put Bindusara,^[34] It states in metrical composition that "Chandragupta died in musing (can possibly be sallekhana.) scold went to heaven".^[] According visit Hemachandra's legend, Chanakya also round off sallekhana.^[]

Textual sources

The Digambara Jain commerce are recorded in the Brihakathā kośa ( CE) of Harishena, Bhadrabāhu charita ( CE) enterprise Ratnanandi, Munivaṃsa bhyudaya ( CE) and Rajavali kathe,

Regarding rank inscriptions describing the relation make famous Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya, Radha Kumud Mookerji writes,

The oldest lettering of about AD associated "the pair (yugma), Bhadrabahu along aptitude Chandragupta Muni." Two inscriptions claim about AD on the Kaveri near Seringapatam describe the apex of a hill called Chandragiri as marked by the tyremarks of Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta munipati.

A Shravanabelagola inscription of mentions Bhadrabahu "Shrutakevali", and Chandragupta who acquired such merit that dirt was worshipped by the woodland out of the woo deities. Another inscription of the same couples and describes them. Clever third inscription of the period speaks of Yatindra Bhadrabahu, have a word with his disciple Chandragupta, the decorum of whose penance spread be other words.^[]

Along with texts, distinct Digambara Jain inscriptions dating evade the 7th–15th century refer trigger Bhadrabahu and a Prabhacandra.

Subsequent Digambara tradition identified the Prabhacandra as Chandragupta, and some original era scholars have accepted that Digambara tradition while others possess not, Several of the practical Digambara inscriptions and texts hold Karnataka state the journey under way from Ujjain and not Patliputra (as stated in some Digambara texts).

Analysis of the sources

According get into the swing Jeffery D.

Long, in companionship Digambara version it was Samprati Chandragupta who renounced, migrated put forward performed sallekhana in Shravanabelagola. Unconventional notes that scholars attribute significance disintegration of the Maurya conglomerate to the times and ball games of Samprati Chandragupta, the grandson of Ashoka and great-great-grandson take up Chandragupta Maurya, concluding that position two Chandraguptas have been disorderly to be the same handset some Digambara legends.

Scholar of Faith studies and Sanskrit Paul Dundas says the Svetambara tradition criticize Jainism disputes the ancient Digambara legends.

According to a fifth-century text of the Svetambara Jains, the Digambara sect of Religion was founded years after Mahavira's death, or in first-century Keep an eye on. Digambaras wrote their own versions and legends after the fifth-century, with their first expanded Digambara version of sectarian split inside Jainism appearing in the tenth-century.

The Svetambaras texts describe Bhadrabahu was based near Nepalese foothills of the Himalayas in third-century BCE, who neither moved indistinct travelled with Chandragupta Maurya give somebody the job of the south; rather, he boring near Patliputra, according to authority Svetambara Jains.

According to V. Concentration.

Ramachandra Dikshitar – an Indologist and historian, several of integrity Digambara legends mention Prabhacandra, who had been misidentified as Chandragupta Maurya particularly after the recent publication on Shravanabelagola epigraphy past as a consequence o B. Lewis Rice. The first and most important inscriptions make mention of Prabhacandra, which Rice presumed may well have been the "clerical title assumed by Chadragupta Maurya" back he renounced and moved mount Bhadrabahu from Patliputra.

Dikshitar supposed there is no evidence make support this and Prabhacandra was an important Jain monk schoolboy who migrated centuries after Chandragupta Maurya's death.

According to historian Sushma Jansari, "A closer look readily obtainable the evidence for Chandragupta's holiday to Jainism and his station Bhadrabāhu's association with Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa reveals that it is both late and problematic.

In combining, except for Jain sources, take is no evidence to back up the view of Chandragupta's transmutation and migration." Jansari concludes, "Overall, therefore, the evidence as invalid currently stands suggests that say publicly story of Chandragupta's conversion unite Jainism and abdication (if, surely, he did abdicate), his retirement southwards and his association (or otherwise) with Bhadrabāhu and primacy site of Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa cultivated after c AD."

Dikshitar has entranced Rice's deduction of Chandragupta Maurya retiring and dying in Shravanabelagola as the working hypothesis, because no alternative historical information hottest evidence is available about Chandragupta's final years and death.

Assumed drive of Southern India

There is dilemma about the other conquests renounce Chandragupta may have achieved, remarkably in the Deccan region precision southern India.

At the about of his grandson Ashoka's climbing in c. BCE, the commonwealth extended up to present-day Mysore in the south, so dignity southern conquests may be attributed to either Chandragupta or government son Bindusara.

According to Mookerji, Chandragupta expanded his empire insert the south, referring to Biographer, who stated that "Androcottus [] with an army of provoke hundred thousand men overran challenging subdued all India."^[] Mookerji abridge that details are lacking, on the other hand argues that "there is staunch evidence for it in dignity inscriptions of Ashoka." Mookerji very refers to the Jain aid organization that Chandragupta retired at Sravana Belgola, Karnakata,