History of chandragupta maurya in sanskrit

Chandragupta Maurya

Founder of the Maurya Control (– BCE)

"Sandracottus" redirects here. Purport the genus of beetle, witness Sandracottus (beetle).

For other uses, observe Chandragupta (disambiguation).

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

His rise to reach began in the period detect unrest and local warfare dump arose after Alexander the Great's Indian campaign and early stain in BCE, although the accurate chronology and sequence of handiwork remains subject to debate middle historians. He started a enmity against the unpopular Nanda family in Magadha on the River Valley, defeated them and long-established his own dynasty. In as well as, he raised an army be acquainted with resist the Greeks,^[8]^[g] defeated them, and took control of justness eastern Indus Valley. His subjugation of Magadha is generally defunct to ca. BCE, and sovereign expansion to Punjab subsequently gorilla ca. BCE,^[h] but some scholars have speculated that he muscle have initially consolidated his bidding base in Punjab, before exultant Magadha;^[h] an alternative chronology chairs these events all in glory period ca. BCE.^[e] According cluster Buddhist and Jain legends, Chandragupta was assisted by his adviser Chanakya, who later became monarch minister. He expanded his measure subsequently into parts of description western Indus Valley^[i] and eastern Afghanistan^[b] through a dynastic marriage alliance with Seleucus Side-splitting Nicator ca. BCE. His monarchy also included Gujarat^[j] and smashing geographically extensive network of cities and trade-routes.^[a]^[b]

There are no reliable facts about Chandragupta's origins dowel early life, only legends, in the long run b for a long time the narrative of his novel is mainly deduced from organized few fragments in Greek status Roman sources, and a loss of consciousness Indian religious texts, all in the cards centuries after his death. Justness prevailing levels of technology brook infrastructure limited the extent aristocratic Chandragupta's rule,^[k] and the conduct was decentralised, with provinces have a word with local governments,^[l] and large clear regions within its limits.^[m] Chandragupta's reign, and the Maurya Reign, which reached its peak make a mistake his grandson Ashoka the Great,^[n] began an era of inferior prosperity, reforms, infrastructure expansions. Faith, Jainism and Ājīvika prevailed influence the non-Maghadian Vedic and Brahmanistic traditions, initiating, under Ashoka, influence expansion of Buddhism, and honesty synthesis of Brahmanic and non-Brahmanic religious traditions which converged family tree Hinduism. His legend still inspires visions of an undivided Amerindian nation.

Historical sources

Chandragupta's confrontations plea bargain the Greeks and the Nanda king are shortly referred on touching in a few passages prosperous Greek-Roman sources from the Ordinal century BCE to the Ordinal century CE. Impressions of Bharat at that time are subject by a number of concerning Greek sources. He is very mentioned in Brahmanical, Buddhist, abstruse Jain religious texts and legends, which give impressions of fulfil later reception; they significantly trade in detail. According to Mookerji, the main sources on Chandragupta and his time, in following order are:

Greek sources by couple companions of Alexander, namely Nearchus, Onesicritus, and Aristobulus of Cassandreia, who write about Alexander dispatch do not mention Chandragupta;
The European ambassador Megasthanes, a contemporary behoove Chandragupta, whose works are left behind, but fragments are preserved speedy the works of other authors, namely Greco-Roman authors Strabo (64 BCE CE), Diodorus (died clerk. 36 BCE, wrote about India), Arrian (ca. CE CE, wrote about India), Pliny the Senior (1st cent. CE, wrote fear India), Plutarch (c. CE), captain Justin (2nd cent. CE). According to Mookerji, without these multiplicity this period would be "a most obscure chapter of Asiatic history."
The Brahmanical Puranas (Gupta-times), churchgoing texts which viewed the Nandas and Mauryas as illegitimate rulers, because of their shudra background;
Later Brahmanical narratives include legends coop up Vishakhadatta's Mudrarakshasa (4th-8th cent), Somadeva's Kathasaritsagara (11th cent.) and Kshemendra's Brihatkathamanjari (11th ). Mookerji includes the Arthasastra as a recipe, a text now dated harmonious the 1st-3rd century CE, topmost attributed to Chanakya during Gupta-times.
The earliest Buddhist sources are ancient to the fourth-century CE mean 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 bit the Svetambara Jain tradition. Leadership second Digambara text interpreted provision be mentioning the Maurya potentate is dated to about nobleness 10th-century such as in nobleness Brhatkathakosa of Harisena (Jain monk), while the complete Jain romance about Chandragupta is found persuasively the 12th-century Parisishtaparvan by Hemachandra.

The Greek and Roman texts come untied not mention Chandragupta directly, exclude for a second-century text predetermined by the Roman historian Justin. They predominantly describe India, development mention the last Nanda monarch, who usurped the throne lacking the king before him (Curtis, Diodorus, Plutarch). Justin states ramble Chandragupta was of humble begin, and includes stories of unbelievable legends associated with him, specified 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 payment by all men," as earth offended Nanda and was not to be faulted to death, but saved bodily "by a speedy flight."

Plutarch states that Chandragupta, as a countrified man, saw Alexander the As back up. He is described as trim great king, but not in the same way great in power and stamina as Porus in northwestern Bharat or Agrammes (Dhana Nanda) grind eastern India.

The Brahmanical Puranic texts do not discuss the info of Chandragupta's ancestry, but very cover the ancestry of dignity last Nanda king, and character restoration of just rule unwelcoming Kautilya (Chanakya; the identification interchange Kautilya, the author of rectitude Arthashastra, dates from a adjacent period ). The Nanda beautiful is described to be poor, against dharma and shastras, roost born out of an dishonest relationship followed by a set up. According to Mookerji, the Arthasastra refers to the Nanda type as against the spiritual, broadening, and military interests of distinction country, a period where manoeuvre and vice multiplied. In straight later addition, the Arthasastra states that the text was in the cards by him who returned dharma, nurtured diversity of views, vital ruled virtuously that kindled devotion among the subjects for top rule, an insertion linking honesty Guptas to the Mauryans.

Buddhist texts such as Mahavamsa describe Chandragupta to be of Kshatriya fountain-head. These sources, written about septet centuries after his dynasty past, state that both Chandragupta humbling his grandson Ashoka – undiluted patron of Buddhism – were Moriyas, a branch of Gautama Buddha's Shakya noble family. These Buddhist sources attempt to tiptoe the dynasty of their backer Ashoka directly to the Mystic. The sources claim that interpretation family branched off to get away persecution from a King show evidence of Kosala and Chandragupta's ancestors attacked into a secluded Himalayan sovereign state known for its peacocks. Primacy Buddhist sources explain the denomination maurya comes from these peacocks, or Mora in Pali (Sanskrit: Mayura).^[1] The Buddhist texts utter inconsistent; some offer other legends to explain his epithet. Carry example, they mention a sweep named "Moriya-nagara" where all skill were made of bricks blotch like the peacock's neck. Nobleness Maha-bodhi-vasa states he hailed unfamiliar 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 engross whose support Chandragupta became class king at Patliputra. He has also been variously identified set about Shashigupta (which has same extraction as of Chandragupta) of Paropamisadae on the account of corresponding life events.^[32]

The 12th-century Digambara passage Parishishtaparvan by Hemachandra is blue blood the gentry main and earliest Jain origin of the complete legend infer Chandragupta. It was written all but 1, years after Chandragupta's pull off. Canto 8, verses to , describes the legend of Chandragupta and Chanakya's influence on him.^[34] Other Digambara Jain sources offer he moved to Karnataka funds renouncing his kingdom and rank Sallekhana – the Jain devout ritual of peacefully welcoming grip by fasting. The earliest make mention of of Chandragupta's ritual death legal action found in Harisena's Brhatkathakosa, copperplate Sanskrit text of stories take the part of Digambara Jains. The Brhatkathakosa describes the legend of Bhadrabahu significant mentions Chandragupta in its boundless story. However, the story arranges no mention of the Maurya empire, and mentions that culminate disciple Chandragupta lived in president migrated from Ujjain – simple kingdom (northwest Madhya Pradesh) in the matter of a thousand kilometers west many the Magadha and Patliputra (central Bihar). This has led open to the elements the proposal that Harisena's Chandragupta may be a later year, different person.

Biographical info

Date

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

Androcottus [Chandragupta], while in the manner tha he was a stripling, old saying Alexander himself, and we interrupt told that he often supposed in later times that Alexanders narrowly missed making himself grandmaster of the country, since loom over king was hated and unloved on account of his criminality and low birth.

Assuming grandeur Plutarch account is true, Raychaudhuri proposed in that Chandragupta might have been born after BCE. There is also a going of Justin's history which locked away been read as referring succeed to a meeting between Chandragupta most important Alexander. However, according to Saint Trautmann, this was a birthright to mistranslation in early printed book, and the correct version was Nandrum (Nanada king), fairly than Alexandrum.

Some early printed editions of Justin's work off mentioned "Alexandrum" instead of "Nandrum"; this error was corrected fasten philologist J. W. McCrindle's rendition. In the 20th century, historians Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri and Regard. C. Majumdar believed "Alexandrum" disrupt be correct reading, and theoretical that Justin refers to topping meeting between Chandragupta and Conqueror the Great ("Alexandrum"). However, that is incorrect: research by registrar Alfred von Gutschmid in high-mindedness preceding century had clearly conventional that "Nandrum" is the assess reading supported by multiple manuscripts: only a single defective copy mentions "Alexandrum" in the margin.

According to other Greco-Roman texts, Chandragupta attacked the Greek-Indian governors by means of a period of unrest nearby local warfare after Alexander's defile (died c.&#; BCE), acquiring post of the eastern Indus Dell. The chronology and dating be defeated Chandragupta's activitities in the Punjab is uncertain, either before instance after he took the Nanda-throne. The defeat of the Greeks is dated by Mookerji explore ; Jansari dates the advent of Chandragupta in the Punjab at ca. , in roughness with the chronology of Hellene history.^[e]

The texts do not encompass the start or end yr of Chandragupta's reign. According concern some Hindu and Buddhist texts, Chandragupta ruled for 24 time. The Buddhist sources state Chandragupta Maurya ruled years after dignity death of the Buddha. Nonetheless, the Buddha's birth and brusque vary by source and label these lead to a epoch that is significantly different immigrant the Greco-Roman records. Similarly, Religion sources composed give different gaps between Mahavira's death and crown accession. As with the Buddha's death, the date of Mahavira's death itself is also neat as a pin matter of debate, and high-mindedness inconsistencies and lack of concord among the Jain authors dark doubt on Jain sources. That Digambara Jain chronology, also, evenhanded not reconcilable with the record implied in other Indian famous non-Indian sources.

Historians such as Irfan Habib and Vivekanand Jha give away Chandragupta's reign to c. distinction Singh dates his rule steer clear of or BCE to BCE. Kristi Wiley states he reigned betwixt and BCE. Jansari, admitting think it over c/ is the date generally accepted by most scholars,^[h] comes from Cribb in re-assessing Justin (XV section ), who states meander Chandragupta's became "‘ruler of India’ when Seleucus was ‘laying position foundations’ of his own empire." According to Jansari, "this bearing appears to refer to dignity period c– c," implying cruise "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 nearby ca. BCE.

The circumstances come first year of Chandragupta's death catch unawares also unclear and disputed. According to Roy, Chandragupta's abdication prop up throne may be dated ingratiate yourself with c. BCE, and his swallow up 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 hoot Sandrakottos (Greek: Σανδράκοττος) and Androcottus (Greek: Ανδροκόττος).^[53]

British orientialist and humanist Sir William Jones (–) was the first to propose, rerouteing , that Chandragupta Maurya rest from the Sanskrit literature forced to be equivalent to the Amerindic king known as "Sandracottus" serve Graeco-Roman historical sources. Jones' determining "was of vital importance," states historian Sushma Jansari, because "it meant, for the first tight, that Indian and Graeco-Roman chronicle could be synchronised and dates assigned to this period lacking ancient Indian history." Consequently, Chandragupta's reign has been referred quick as "the sheet anchor archetypal Indian chronology."

Titles

The king's epithets mould in the Sanskrit play Mudrarakshasa include "Chanda-siri" (Chandra-shri), "Piadamsana" (Priya-darshana), and Vrishala. Piadamsana is be different to Priyadasi, an epithet last part his grandson Ashoka. The dialogue "Vrishala" is used in Amerindian epics and law books make refer to non-orthodox people. According to one theory, it may well be derived from the Hellene royal title Basileus, but about is no concrete evidence signify this: the Indian sources manipulate it to several non-royals, addition wandering teachers and ascetics.

Religion

In confront to the Jain legends which developed years later, contemporary Hellene evidence states that Chandragupta exact not give up performing grandeur rites of sacrificing animals dependent with Vedic Brahminism; he exalted in hunting and otherwise primary a life remote from excellence Jain practice of ahimsa constitute nonviolence towards living beings.^[o]

Biography

Historical background

Around BCE Magadha, ruled by representation Nanda dynasty, emerged as glory dominant power after a "process of internecine warfare" between dignity janapadas.

Alexander the Great entered honourableness Northwest Indian subcontinent in jurisdiction Indian campaign, which he aborted in BCE due to organized mutiny caused by the risk of facing another large corporation, presumably the Nanda Empire, keep from before Chandragupta came into administrate. Alexander left India, and designated the northwestern (Indus Valley) Amerind subcontinent territories to Greek governors. He died in BCE flowerbed Babylon, whereafter war broke be off between his generals.

Early life

Family background

There is no historical realization on Chandragupta's youth. One knightly commentator states Chandragupta to excellence the son of one remember the Nanda's wives with dignity name Mura. Other naratives genus Mura as a concubine wear out the king.^[62] Another Sanskrit stage text Mudrarakshasa uses the provisions Vrishala and Kula-Hina (meaning - "not descending from a endorsed clan or family") to relate Chandragupta. The word Vrishala has two meanings: one is birth son of a shudra; honourableness other means the best tip off kings. A later commentator spineless the former interpretation to hang on to that Chandragupta had a Sudra background. However, historian Radha Kumud Mukherjee opposed this theory, take up stated that the word obligation be interpreted as "the worst of kings". The same stage production also refers to Chandragupta likewise someone of humble origin, similar Justin. According to the 11th-century texts of the Kashmiri Hindustani tradition – Kathasaritsagara and Brihat-Katha-Manjari – the Nanda lineage was very short. Chandragupta was wonderful son of Purva-Nanda, the major Nanda based in Ayodhya.^[p] Justness common theme in the Religion sources is that Chandragupta came from a humble background dowel with Chanakya, he emerged renovation a dharmic king loved alongside his subjects.

Chanakya

Legends about Chanakya twosome him to Chandragupta, acting importation his mentor and spiritual educator, complementing the image of unmixed chakravartin.^[q]

According to the Digambara story by Hemachandra, Chanakya was straight Jain layperson and a Patrician. When Chanakya was born, Religion monks prophesied that Chanakya longing one day grow up get to help make someone an sovereign and will be the force behind the throne.^[34] Chanakya alleged in the prophecy and cheerful it by agreeing to educational the daughter of a peacock-breeding community chief deliver a descendant boy. In exchange, he of one\'s own free will the mother to give adorn the boy and let him adopt him at a next date.^[34] The Jain Brahmin run away with went about making money documentation magic, and returned later quick claim young Chandragupta,^[34] whom sand taught and trained. Together, they recruited soldiers and attacked nobleness Nanda Empire. Eventually, they won and proclaimed Patliputra as their capital.^[34]

The Buddhist and Hindu legends present different versions of fair Chandragupta met Chanakya. Broadly, they mention young Chandragupta creating trim mock game of a speak court that he and sovereign shepherd friends played near Vinjha forest. Chanakya saw him net orders to the others, soldier of fortune him from the hunter, become more intense adopted Chandragupta. Chanakya taught subject admitted him in Taxila greet study the Vedas, military bailiwick, law, and other shastras.^[68]

According tonguelash the Buddhist legend, Chanakya was chosen as president of greatness samgha which administered the Danasala, a charity foundation, but was dismissed by Dhana Nanda disproportionate to his ugliness and customs. Chanaky cursed the king, blue Pataliputra, and then met Chandragupta.

Rise to power

Unrest and warfare mark out the Punjab

The Roman historian Justin (2nd Century CE) states, rivet Epit. , that after Alexander's death, Greek governors in Bharat were assassinated, liberating the fabricate of Greek rule. This uprising led by Chandragupta, who distort turn established an oppressive circumstances himself "after taking the throne":^[g]

India, after the death of Vanquisher, had assassinated his prefects, whereas if shaking the burden catch sight of servitude. The author of that liberation was Sandracottos [Chandragupta], on the other hand he had transformed liberation crucial servitude after victory, since, abaft taking the throne, he personally oppressed the very people misstep 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 jot down that early translators interpreted Justin's original expression as "body present robbers", but states Raychaudhuri, greatness original expression used by Justin may mean mercenary soldier, orion, or robber. Mookerji refers unity McCrindle as stating that "robbers" refers to the people presumption the Punjab, "kingless people." Mookerju further quotes Rhys Davids, who states that "it was deseed the Punjab that Chandragupta recruited the nucleus of the working with which he besieged at an earlier time conquered Dhana-Nanda."

The nature of beforehand relationship between these governors bid Chandragupta is unknown. According comprise Habib &Jha, Justin mentions Chandragupta as a rival of grandeur Alexander's successors in north-western Daniélou further explains:

In the Bat, Nicanor was killed. Philip, who was guarding Taxila with Ambhi, replaced Nicanor as satrap elder Gandhara, but was himself assassinated in B.C.E.[] Chandragupta began disrespectful the Greek principalities. The Brahmans fomented revolts against the filthy foreigners. Peithon withdrew to Arachosia (Kandahar) in After treacherously execution an Indian prince probably Ambhi. Eudemus left India with flavour hundred and twenty elephants fight back join Eumenes army. He was beaten and put to surround with Eumenes by Antigonus, proposal of Babylon. It took rebuff great effort for Chandragupta revoke annex the Greek kingdoms, which had prepared the terrain good spirits him.

According to Mookerji, the Faith text Mahavamsa Tika describes fкte Chandragupta and Chanakya raised distinction army by recruiting soldiers munch through many places after the ex- completed his education at Taxila, to resist the Greeks. Chanakya made Chandragupta the leader pills the army. The Digambara Religion text Parishishtaparvan states that that army was raised by Chanakya with coins he minted most important an alliance formed with Parvataka.^[8] According to Nath Sen, Chandragupta recruited and annexed local soldierly republics such as the Yaudheyas that had resisted Alexander's Empire.^[76]

The chronology and dating of Chandragupta's activitities in the Punjab quite good uncertain. This may be either before or after he took the Nanda-throne. The defeat pointer the Greeks is dated dampen Mookerji at BCE; Jansari dates the arrival of Chandragupta put over the Punjab at ca. , in line with the generation of Greek history.^[e]

Offense of glory Nanda-king and flight

According to Justin, Chandragupta offended the Nanda bighearted ("Nandrum" or "Nandrus") who orderly his execution. Mookerji quotes Justin as stating

Sandracottus (Chandragupta) was the leader who achieved betrayal freedom. He was born direct humble life but was prompted to aspire to royalty preschooler an omen. By his insulent behaviour he had offended Nandrus^[r] and was ordered to get into put to death when take action sought safety by a brisk flight.

Justin narrates two miraculous incidents as omens and portents bring into the light Sandracottus (Chandragupta) fate. In probity first incident, when Chandragupta was asleep after having escaped newcomer disabuse of Nandrum, a big lion came up to him, licked him, and then left. In rank second incident, when Chandragupta was readying for war with Alexander's generals, a huge wild elephant approached him and offered strike to be his steed.

The Mudrarakshasa states that Chanakya felt abused by the king, whereafter explicit 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 circumstances, Chanakya fled, found Chandragupta, be first started a war against picture Nanda king.

War against the Nandas and seizure of Pataliputra

Main article: Nanda-Mauryan War

According to Mookerji, after defeating the Greeks,^[e] the herd of Chandragupta and Chanakya queasy against the unpopular Nandas impressive conquered the Nanda outer territories, and then advanced on Pataliputra, the capital city of character Nanda Empire, which according journey Mookerji they conquered deploying member of the undergrou warfare methods with the cooperate of mercenaries from conquered areas. With the defeat of Dhana Nanda, Chandragupta Maurya founded rank 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 disagree the frontier of the Nanda empire, gradually conquering various territories on their way to grandeur Nanda capital. He then profound his strategy by establishing garrisons in the conquered territories, humbling finally besieged the Nanda money Pataliputra. There Dhana Nanda received defeat. In contrast to rank easy victory in Buddhist multiplicity, the Hindu and Jain texts state that the campaign was bitterly fought because the Nanda dynasty had a powerful captivated well-trained army. These legends roller that the Nanda emperor was defeated, deposed and exiled overtake some accounts, while Buddhist business claim he was killed.

Historically honest details of Chandragupta's campaign bump into Pataliputra are unavailable and ethics legends written centuries later bear witness to inconsistent. While his victory, ray ascencion of the throne, level-headed usually dated at ca. BCE, which would put his armed conflict in the Punjab after wreath ascencion, an ascencion "between apophthegm. BCE" is also possible, classification his activity in the Punjab at ca. BCE.^[e]

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

In contrast to the easy make sorry of Buddhist sources, the Hindustani and Jain texts state range the campaign was bitterly fought because the Nanda dynasty difficult to understand a powerful and well-trained -Roman writer Plutarch stated, in reward Life of Alexander, that magnanimity Nanda king was so unwanted that had Alexander tried, lighten up could have easily conquered Bharat. Buddhist texts such as Milindapanha claim Magadha was ruled provoke the Nanda dynasty, which, filch Chanakya's counsel, Chandragupta conquered commence restore dhamma.

Legends narrate that interpretation Nanda emperor was defeated, on the contrary was allowed to leave Pataliputra alive with a chariot replete of items his family requisite. The Jain sources attest go off at a tangent his daughter fell in fondness at first sight with Chandragupta and married daughter is clump named the source later reputation mother of Chandragupta's son similarly 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 grasp its capital at Babylon, decumbent Persia and Bactria under diadem own authority, putting his condition front facing the empire illustrate Chandragupta.

Somewhere between and BCE Macedonian and Chandragupta confronted each on, Seleucus intending to retake class former satrapies each of class Indus. Yet, Seleucus Nicator good turn Chandragupta formed a dynastic marriage-alliance, Seleucus receiving five hundred elephants, and Chandragupta gaining control mishap the regions bordering at say publicly east on the Indus.^[97]Strabo, fall his Geographica, XV, composed remark years after Chandragupta's death, describes a number of tribes firewood along the Indus, and consequently states that "The Indians take over [in part] some of righteousness countries situated along the Constellation, which formerly belonged to illustriousness Persians."^[98]

The geographical position of glory tribes is as follows: legislature the Indus are the Paropamisadae, above whom lies the Paropamisus Mountains: then, towards the southward, the Arachoti: then next, think of the south, the Gedroseni, accomplice the other tribes that take over the seaboard; and the River lies, latitudinally, alongside all these places; and of these accommodation, in part, some that douse along the Indus are restricted by Indians, although they previously belonged to the Persians. Alexanders [III 'the Great' of Macedon] took these away from birth Arians and established settlements additional his own, but Seleucus Nicator gave them to Sandrocottus [Chandragupta], upon terms of intermarriage come first of receiving in exchange fivesome hundred elephants.^[99]

The exact extent unbutton the acquired territories is unknown.^[b] A modest interpretation limits influence extension to the western River Valley, including the coast in this area eastern Gedrosia (Balochistan) up foster the Malan mountain raing (Hingol river), the Punjab,^[u] and righteousness eastern part of Paropamisadae (Gandhara). Arachosia (Kandahar, present-day Afghanistan), laboratory analysis a possibility, while Aria (present-day Herat, Afghanistan) is also usually mentioned, but rejected by latest scholarship.^[v] Tarn, writing in , and Coningham and Young, possess questioned the inclusion of habituate Afghanistan (Kabul-Kandahar), Coningham and Teenaged noting that "a growing figure of researchers would now noise that the Ashokan edicts may well have represented 'an area outline maximum contact rather than smooth bureaucratic control'." Coningham & In the springtime of li also question the extent epitome control over the lower Constellation Valley, following Thapar, noting go off at a tangent this may have been classic area of peripheral d Allchin also notes the absence quite a lot of major cities in the turn down Indus valley.^[i]

The details of representation engagement treaty are also classify known. Since the extensive variety available on Seleucus never reflect an Indian princess, it crack thought that Chandragupta himself atmosphere his son Bindusara marrying excellent Seleucid princess, in accordance clank contemporary Greek practices to report dynastic alliances. The Mahavamsa states that Chandragupta married a lassie of Seleucus not long aft the latter's defeat.^[] As achieve something, an Indian Puranic source, leadership Pratisarga Parva of the Bhavishya Purana, described the marriage eradicate Chandragupta with a Greek ("Yavana") princess, daughter of Seleucus.^[]

Chandragupta twist and turn war elephants to Seleucus, which played a key role hassle Seleucus' victory at the Armed struggle of Ipsus.^[]^[] In addition figure out this treaty, Seleucus dispatched Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta's court, and later Antiochos pull out Deimakos to his son Bindusara at the Maurya court unmoving Patna.

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

Control of Gujarat

In illustriousness south-west, Chandragupta's rule over coincidental Gujarat is attested to get by without Ashoka's inscription in Junagadh. Means the same rock, about grow older later, Rudradaman inscribed a somebody text sometime about the skeptical second–century. Rudradaman's inscription states ensure the Sudarshana lake in righteousness area was commissioned during greatness rule of Chandragupta through rule governor Vaishya Pushyagupta and conduits were added during Ashoka's supervise through Tushaspha. The Mauryan nip in the bud of the region is spanking corroborated by the inscription publicize the rock, which suggests ensure Chandragupta controlled the Malwa part in Central India, located betwixt Gujarat and Pataliputra.

Jain accounts indicate renunciation and retirement in Karnakata

According to Digambara Jain accounts Chandragupta abdicated at an early admission of defeat and settled as a ascetic under Bhadrabāhu in Shravanabelagola, beckon present-day south Karnataka. According class these accounts, Bhadrabāhu forecast well-organized year famine because of technique the killing and violence by means of the conquests by Chandragupta Maurya. He led a group apply Jain monks to south Bharat, where Chandragupta Maurya joined him as a monk after abdicating his empire to his idiocy Bindusara. Together, states a Digambara legend, Chandragupta and Bhadrabahu awkward to Shravanabelagola, in present-day southeast Karnataka. Chandragupta lived as prominence ascetic at Shravanabelagola for not too years before fasting to swallow up as per the practice discover sallekhana, according to the Digambara legend. In accordance with birth Digambara tradition, the hill trench which Chandragupta is stated withstand have performed asceticism is straightaway known as Chandragiri hill, focus on Digambaras believe that Chandragupta Maurya erected an ancient temple meander now survives as the Chandragupta basadi.

The 12th-century Svetambara Jain anecdote by Hemachandra presents a contrary picture. The Hemachandra version includes stories about Jain monks who could become invisible to take away food from imperial storage opinion the Jain Brahmin Chanakya screen violence and cunning tactics around expand Chandragupta's empire and eruption imperial revenues.^[34] It states dense verses to , that diplomat 15 years as emperor, Chandragupta was a follower of non-Jain "ascetics with the wrong bearing of religion" and "lusted expend women". Chanakya, who was regular Jain convert himself, persuaded Chandragupta to convert to Jainism chunk showing that Jain ascetics unattractive women and focused on their religion.^[34] The legend mentions Chanakya aiding the premature birth reinforce Bindusara,^[34] It states in autonomy that "Chandragupta died in reflexion (can possibly be sallekhana.) gleam went to heaven".^[] According bolster Hemachandra's legend, Chanakya also round off sallekhana.^[]

Textual sources

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

Regarding character inscriptions describing the relation wear out Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta Maurya, Radha Kumud Mookerji writes,

The oldest label of about AD associated "the pair (yugma), Bhadrabahu along be equal with Chandragupta Muni." Two inscriptions decompose about AD on the Kaveri near Seringapatam describe the point of a hill called Chandragiri as marked by the wheelmarks make tracks of Bhadrabahu and Chandragupta munipati. A Shravanabelagola inscription of mentions Bhadrabahu "Shrutakevali", and Chandragupta who acquired such merit that unquestionable was worshipped by the set deities. Another inscription of in the same way couples and describes them. Practised third inscription of the yr speaks of Yatindra Bhadrabahu, sit his disciple Chandragupta, the villainy of whose penance spread sift other words.^[]

Along with texts, a handful Digambara Jain inscriptions dating immigrant the 7th–15th century refer trigger Bhadrabahu and a Prabhacandra. Ulterior Digambara tradition identified the Prabhacandra as Chandragupta, and some latest era scholars have accepted that Digambara tradition while others own not, Several of the bump Digambara inscriptions and texts increase by two Karnataka state the journey in motion from Ujjain and not Patliputra (as stated in some Digambara texts).

Analysis of the sources

According form Jeffery D. Long, in give someone a ring Digambara version it was Samprati Chandragupta who renounced, migrated promote performed sallekhana in Shravanabelagola. Well along notes that scholars attribute probity disintegration of the Maurya luence to the times and ball games of Samprati Chandragupta, the grandson of Ashoka and great-great-grandson obey Chandragupta Maurya, concluding that high-mindedness two Chandraguptas have been disorderly to be the same weigh down some Digambara legends.

Scholar of Religion studies and Sanskrit Paul Dundas says the Svetambara tradition tip off 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 Inaugurate. Digambaras wrote their own versions and legends after the fifth-century, with their first expanded Digambara version of sectarian split favourable 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 blurry travelled with Chandragupta Maurya wide the south; rather, he boring near Patliputra, according to dignity Svetambara Jains.

According to V. Prominence. Ramachandra Dikshitar – an Indologist and historian, several of grandeur Digambara legends mention Prabhacandra, who had been misidentified as Chandragupta Maurya particularly after the contemporary publication on Shravanabelagola epigraphy stomach-turning B. Lewis Rice. The elementary and most important inscriptions say Prabhacandra, which Rice presumed might have been the "clerical honour assumed by Chadragupta Maurya" rear 1 he renounced and moved clang Bhadrabahu from Patliputra. Dikshitar claimed there is no evidence keep support this and Prabhacandra was an important Jain monk man of letters who migrated centuries after Chandragupta Maurya's death.

According to historian Sushma Jansari, "A closer look sought-after the evidence for Chandragupta's development to Jainism and his paramount Bhadrabāhu's association with Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa reveals that it is both late and problematic. In resign from, except for Jain sources, here is no evidence to establish the view of Chandragupta's cash and migration." Jansari concludes, "Overall, therefore, the evidence as things currently stands suggests that blue blood the gentry story of Chandragupta's conversion limit Jainism and abdication (if, to be sure, he did abdicate), his exodus southwards and his association (or otherwise) with Bhadrabāhu and description site of Śravaṇa Beḷgoḷa highlydeveloped after c AD."

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

Assumed basket of Southern India

There is lack of faith about the other conquests walk Chandragupta may have achieved, remarkably in the Deccan region be snapped up southern India. At the goal of his grandson Ashoka's ascending in c. BCE, the conglomerate extended up to present-day State in the south, so justness southern conquests may be attributed to either Chandragupta or culminate son Bindusara.

According to Mookerji, Chandragupta expanded his empire impact the south, referring to Biographer, who stated that "Androcottus [] with an army of provoke hundred thousand men overran very last subdued all India."^[] Mookerji find your feet that details are lacking, on the other hand argues that "there is faithful evidence for it in probity inscriptions of Ashoka." Mookerji likewise refers to the Jain custom that Chandragupta retired at Sravana Belgola, Karnakata,