Chanakya Figure in Mauryan History

He is commonly referred to as Kautilya or Vishnugupta, the writer of the Arthashastra, a historic Indian administrative treatise that dates from the 4th century BCE to the 3rd century CE. As a result, he is regarded as the father of Indian classical political economy, and his work is regarded as a forerunner to classical economics. His writings were lost within the 6th century CE, during the fall of the Gupta Empire, and have not been found until the early twentieth century.

Chanakya is largely credited with assisting the very first Maurya empire king Chandragupta in its ascent to power in 321 BC and therefore is largely credited with helping to build the Mauryan Empire. Both Chandragupta & his son Bindusara had Chanakya as their principal counsel.

Then Chanakya began consolidating control by killing Nanda’s followers who had been tormenting people throughout the realm. Chanakya heard of a weave who might destroy any cockroach-infested area of his home.

CHANAKYA IN MAURYAN HISTORY 

Chanakya had a whole row of teeth when he was born. This, according to the priests, was an omen that he would one day get to be a royal. Chanin (Chanakya’s father) shattered Chanakya’s teeth because he didn’t want his son to grow pompous. The monks predicted that the infant would grow up to be a powerful figure in the royal room. Chanakya wedded a Brahman woman and did grow up to be an educated Shravaka (disciple) of him. Her relatives made fun of her for marrying a poor man. This prompted Chanakya to travel to Pataliputra in order to solicit contributions from King Nanda, who has been known for his compassion for Brahmins. Chanakya stood just on the king’s throne whilst waiting for the said king inside the king’s palace.

Chanakya was given the next seat by a dasi (servant girl), but he placed his kamandal (water jug) on it while sitting on the crown. The servant provided him with four additional chairs, but he refused to leave the throne, placing his different possessions on the seat every time. Finally, he was thrown from the throne by his irritated servant. Outraged, Chanakya promised to remove Nanda & his overall organization, much as “a tremendous wind uprooted a tree.”

CHANAKYA’S CONTRIBUTION 

Chanakya was ecstatic that Chandragupta had passed the test. For seven years, Chanakya put him through rigorous combat training. Chandragupta developed as a strong warrior beneath Chanakya’s tutelage. Chanakya had long wished to destroy Dhana Nanda’s Nanda empire and create the Maurya kingdom. Chandragupta assembled a tiny force without much thought and attacked Magadha, the Nandas’ stronghold. However, Chandragupta’s little force was defeated in the face of Nandas’ massive army. Chanakya’s hand burnt at first because he made a rash judgment. After the setback, Chanakya & Chandragupta began to wander in despair.

Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was Chandragupta’s chief minister and aided in the establishment of the empire. Kautilya is famous for producing the Arthashastra, a treatise on management and administration, in addition to becoming a political consultant. The Arthashastra outlines how a state’s economics and authority should be organised. Chandragupta’s regime was very similar to the Arthashastra’s description of it. The Arthashastra’s emphasis on espionage was one of its most remarkable features. Kautilya advised the monarch to create huge networks of informants working for him as a surveillance force. The emphasis on deceit reflects a realistic, if not cynical, attitude toward human nature.

Chanakya led Chandragupta towards the Nanda capital of Pataliputra. Using the fortune he had amassed through magic, he gathered an army (dhatuvada-visaradan). The force was routed, while Chanakya & Chandragupta were forced to leave the battle. While being chased by an opposing officer, they arrived at a lake. Chanakya enlisted Chandragupta’s help in jumping into the lake while posing as a meditating monastic. When the opposing soldier arrived at the lake, he inquired of the ‘ascetic’ about Chandragupta.

CONCLUSION 

Chanakya devoted his life to establishing the Mauryan Empire & helping its founders, Chandragupta Maurya & his successor Bindusara. Throughout their rule, he served as that of the royal counsellor, economist, & philosopher.

Chanakya’s name is well-known in Indian scriptures and history, yet he is not mentioned in Yavana Ambassador Megatheres’ travelogues. As a result, many Ambedkarites dismiss Chanakya as fictitious.