Mauryan Empire – Chandragupta (322–298 BC), Bindusara and Geographical Extent

We do not know much about the early life of Chandragupta Maurya. However, it is known that he was brought under the tutelage of Kautilya also known as Chanakya at a very young age. Under the able guidance of Chanakya, Chandragupta went on to establish the vast Mauryan Empire and became one of the greatest rulers in the history of ancient India. The second crowned emperor of the Mauryan Empire was Bindusara. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya. Bindusara’s son was Emperor Ashoka who is considered as the most successful and popular ruler of the Mauryan Empire. 

Chandragupta Maurya (322–298 BC)

• Chandragupta Maurya established the Mauryan Empire in 322 B.C. He continued to reign the Mauryan Empire for about 25 years, till 298 B.C
• There is no clear evidence on the date when Chadragupta Maurya was born. There is contradictory information available about his early life too. Some historical sources suggest that he was born in a Khastriya family. Others suggest that his early life was spent in poverty and misery until he met Chanakya
• Young Chandragupta was guided and protected by Chanakya who saw in him the potential to become a powerful ruler in future. From the very beginning, he looked after his training. Under his guidance, Chandragupta developed his efficient administrative skills, governing skills as well as military skills

• Chandragupta began the journey to establish the Mauryan Empire by dethroning the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty named Dhana Nanda. He chose Patliputra as the capital of the Mauryan Empire. Chanakya became his chief advisor and continued to hold the position throughout his reign

• He first decided to expand to the regions of the North West frontiers. In between 317–316 B.C. he took control over those Greek satraps which were left behind by Alexander. When Alexander died, he forced Alexander’s army to move away from the west bank of the Indus River. Thus, the entire northwest India including Punjab region came under the control of Mauryan Empire

• There was Seleucid–Mauryan war (305–303 B.C.) between Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus I Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Empire. At the end of the 2-year long war, a peace treaty was signed by the two parties

• As per the treaty signed with Seleucus Nikator, Seleucus Nikator surrendered a vast territory including Aria (Herat), Arachosia (Kandhar), Gedrosia (Balochistan), and Paropanisade (Kabul). In return, Chandragupta gifted him 500 elephants

• After the treaty, the border of the Mauryan empire stretched up to Hindukush. For the first time, entire northern India was united under the rule of Chandragupta Maurya

• Chandragupta embraced Jainism and went to Chandragiri Hill, Shravanabelagola in present-day Karnataka (Famous for Statue of Gomateshwar, son of Rishabnath in Kayotsarga Mudra) with Bhadrabahu, where he died by Sallekhana (slow starvation)

Bindusara (298 –273 BC)

• Chandragupta Maurya was succeeded by his son Bindusara

• Bindusara was also referred to as Madrasar, Simhasena, and Amitrochates in various ancient scriptures

• Bindusara’s father was Chandragupta Maurya and his mother was Durdhara
• He was crowned as the emperor of the Mauryan dynasty in the year 297 B.C. He continued to rule for almost 30 years
• Chanakya was his chief advisor and continued to guide him as he guided his father
• The expansion campaign of Mauryan Empire which was started by Chandragupta was taken forward by Bindusara
• He was responsible for the geographical extent of the Mauryan Empire down south. He acquired new territories in the Deccan region
• He had the opportunity to move further in the South and expand the Mauryan Empire further but he chose not to do so. This is because the Mauryas had a cordial relationship with Cholas and the Pandyas who were then ruling the southern parts of India. He did not want to ruin those relationships
• Too much detailed information of Bindusara’s life cannot be found in the historical scriptures.  More information is available on Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka. However, his name can be found in the Puranas, in Jain literature and Buddhist literature
• His biggest success lies with the fact that he could continue to consolidate the Mauryan Empire like his father
• He first appointed his son Ashoka as the Viceroy of Ujjayini. Ashoka’s first big responsibility in the Mauryan Empire was to control the uprising in the mountains of Northern India and another in Takshasila. When he managed both successfully, his father knew he could be his successor
• When Bindusara fell sick and was on death bed, he handed over his throne to his son Ashoka
• Bindusara stopped his campaign in Southern India (Karnataka), probably because Mauryas had good bonding with then south Indian kings like Cholas, Pandyas, and Cheras

Conclusion

 To summarize the topic, Mauryan Empire-Chandragupta, Bindusara and Geographical Extent, here are the 4 points to remember:

• Both Chandragupta Maurya and Bindusara are the two most prominent personalities of the Mauryan Empire
• Chandragupta founded the Mauryan Empire and Bindusara was his son and successor of his throne
• Both of them worked with the same goal – geographical expansion of the territory and strengthening the Mauryan Empire 
• Chandragupta stretched the territory in the northern and northwest of the Indian subcontinent. Bindusara extended the territory towards the southern part of India