PART - 1
By
SIDDHANT AGNIHOTRI
B.Sc (Silver Medalist)
M.Sc (Applied Physics)
Facebook: sid_Econnect
•
STUDY IQ
WHAT WE WILL STUDY?
• POWER STRUGGLE
• EFFICIENT RULER
• DEATH
GREAT MAURYAN EMPIRE
GREAT MAURYAN EMPIRE
• Chandragupta's ancestry, birth year and family as well as early life are
unclear. The Greek and Latin literature phonetically transcribes
Chandragupta, referring to him with the names "Sandrokottos" or
"Androcottus“.
• The Greek sources are the oldest recorded versions available, and
mention his rise in 322/321 BCE after Alexander the Great ended his
campaign in early 324 BCE. These sources state Chandragupta to be of
non-princely and non-warrior ancestry, to be of a humble commoner birth.
• A supply of warriors was already in place, and the future emperor and his
teacher chose to build alliances with local rulers and a small mercenary
army of their own. Chanakya also identified talent for future administration.
• By 323 BCE, within a year of Alexander's retreat, this newly formed group
had defeated some of the Greek-ruled cities in the northwest subcontinent.
Each victory led to an expanded army and territory. Chanakya provided
the strategy, Chandragupta the execution, and together they began
expanding eastward towards Magadha (Gangetic plains).
POWER STRUGGLE
• Magadha was ruled by the evil Nanda dynasty, which Chandragupta, with
Chanakya's counsel, easily conquered to restore dhamma.In contrast,
Hindu and Jain records suggest that campaign was bitterly fought,
because the Nanda dynasty had a well trained, powerful army.
Chandragupta and Chanakya built alliances and a formidable army of their
own first.
By
SIDDHANT AGNIHOTRI
B.Sc (Silver Medalist)
M.Sc (Applied Physics)
Facebook: sid_Econnect
•
STUDY IQ
CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA
NEW ERA
• Meanwhile, Parvataka fell in love with one of Nanda's visha kanyas (poison
girl). Chanakya approved the marriage, and Parvataka collapsed when he
touched the girl during the wedding. Chanakya asked Chandragupta not to
call a physician. Thus, Parvataka died and Chandragupta became the
sole ruler of Nanda's territories
• Magasthenes also reports that Pataliputra was nine miles in length and about
two miles in width. Chandragupta’s palace was full of luxuries and all type of
ostentatious possessions. Inside his palace, he lived in it for 24 years, almost
as a recluse, with very limited public exposure, solely devoted to the growth
of the empire.
• Since Seleucus was busy on the western borders, Chandragupta took this
opportunity to attack and assassinate two Macedonian satrapies, Nicanor of
Parthia and Philip, son of Machatas.After defeating Seleucus,
Chandragupta signed a peace treaty with him, according to which he
got hold of Punjab in exchange of 500 war elephants.