Chandragupta | Founder of Mauryan Dynasty, First Emperor to Unify Most of India (2024)

Chandragupta

Top Questions

Why is Chandragupta important?

Chandragupta was the founder of theMauryan dynasty(reignedc.321–c.297BCE) and the firstemperorto unify most ofIndiaunder one administration. He is credited with saving the country from maladministration and freeing it from foreign domination.

Where was Chandragupta educated?

Chandragupta received an education in military tactics and theaestheticarts inTaxila(now inPakistan). He was mentored by Kautilya (also called Chanakya), a Brahman statesman and philosopher.

How did Chandragupta come to power?

Chandragupta overthrew theNanda dynastyand then ascended to the throne of theMagadhakingdom, in present-dayBiharstate, India, about 325BCE. Alexander the Great died in 323, leaving Chandragupta to win the Punjab region about 322. The following year, as emperor of Magadha and ruler of the Punjab, he began the Mauryandynasty.

What did Chandragupta accomplish?

Chandragupta built an empire ranging from theHimalayasand theKābul Rivervalley in the north and west to theVindhya Rangein the south. Its continuation for at least two generations is attributable in part to his establishment of an administration patterned on that of the PersianAchaemenid dynastyand Kautilya’s political text,Artha-shastra.

Chandragupta (died c. 297 bce, Shravanbelagola, India) founder of the Mauryan dynasty (reigned c. 321–c. 297 bce) and the first emperor to unify most of India under one administration. He is credited with saving the country from maladministration and freeing it from foreign domination. He later fasted to death in sorrow for his famine-stricken people.

Chandragupta was born into a family left destitute by the death of his father, chief of the migrant Mauryas, in a border fray. His maternal uncles left him with a cowherd who brought him up as his own son. Later he was sold to a hunter to tend cattle. Purchased by a Brahman politician, Kautilya (also called Chanakya), he was taken to Taxila (now in Pakistan), where he received an education in military tactics and the aesthetic arts. Tradition states that while he slept, following a meeting with Alexander the Great, a lion began licking his body, gently waking him and prompting in him hopes of royal dignity. Upon Kautilya’s advice, he collected mercenary soldiers, secured public support, and ended the autocracy of the Nanda dynasty in a bloody battle against forces led by their commander in chief, Bhaddasala.

Chandragupta | Founder of Mauryan Dynasty, First Emperor to Unify Most of India (2)

Britannica Quiz

Kings and Emperors (Part III) Quiz

Ascending the throne of the Magadha kingdom, in present-day Bihar state, about 325 bce, Chandragupta destroyed the sources of Nanda power and eliminated opponents through well-planned administrative schemes that included an effective secret service. When Alexander died in 323, his last two representatives in India returned home, leaving Chandragupta to win the Punjab region about 322. The following year, as emperor of Magadha and ruler of the Punjab, he began the Mauryan dynasty. Expanding his empire to the borders of Persia, in 305 he defeated an invasion by Seleucus I Nicator, a Greek contender for control of Alexander’s Asian empire.

Ranging from the Himalayas and the Kābul River valley (in present-day Afghanistan) in the north and west to the Vindhya Range in the south, Chandragupta’s Indian empire was one of history’s most extensive. Its continuation for at least two generations is attributable in part to his establishment of an excellent administration patterned on that of the Persian Achaemenid dynasty (559–330 bce) and after Kautilya’s text on politics, Artha-shastra (“The Science of Material Gain”). Chandragupta’s son, Bindusara, continued to expand the empire to the south.

Traditionally, Chandragupta was influenced to accept Jainism by the sage Bhadrabahu I, who predicted the onset of a 12-year famine. When the famine came, Chandragupta made efforts to counter it, but, dejected by the tragic conditions prevailing, he left to spend his last days in the service of Bhadrabahu at Shravanabelagola, a famous religious site in southwestern India, where Chandragupta fasted to death.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.

Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan dynasty, holds immense historical significance for his unification of India and administrative prowess. He rose to power by overthrowing the Nanda dynasty around 325 BCE, establishing an empire that spanned from the Himalayas and Kabul River valley to the Vindhya Range in the south.

His education in military tactics and the arts took place in Taxila under the mentorship of Kautilya, a prominent Brahman statesman and philosopher. Utilizing Kautilya's teachings, Chandragupta strategically amassed mercenary soldiers, garnered public support, and effectively ended the autocratic rule of the Nandas.

Notably, his administration was influenced by the Persian Achaemenid dynasty and Kautilya's political text, Artha-shastra, which laid the foundation for an efficient governing system. His conquests expanded the empire, culminating in a pivotal victory against Seleucus I Nicator, a Greek contender for control of Alexander's Asian empire.

Chandragupta's legacy extended beyond his reign. His son, Bindusara, continued expanding the empire southward. Tradition holds that Chandragupta was influenced by the sage Bhadrabahu I to embrace Jainism, and he spent his final days in Shravanbelagola, fasting until his death due to the despair caused by a famine he sought to alleviate.

His story embodies a remarkable journey from humble beginnings, raised by a cowherd after the death of his father, to becoming a visionary leader who unified a vast portion of the Indian subcontinent.

In relation to the concepts mentioned:

Chandragupta Maurya: Founder of the Mauryan dynasty, unified most of India under one administration.
Mauryan Empire: The empire established by Chandragupta Maurya, extending from the Himalayas to the Vindhya Range, notable for its administrative efficiency and expansion.
Kautilya (Chanakya): A Brahman statesman and philosopher who mentored Chandragupta, teaching him military tactics and political strategies, and authored the political text Artha-shastra.
Nanda dynasty: The ruling dynasty preceding Chandragupta's ascension, overthrown by him to establish his empire.
Seleucus I Nicator: A Greek general who was a contender for control of Alexander's empire and clashed with Chandragupta, ultimately defeated by the Mauryan emperor.
Jainism: A religion that Chandragupta embraced later in life, influenced by the sage Bhadrabahu I, and where he spent his final days in Shravanbelagola, fasting till death due to the prevailing famine and despair.

Chandragupta's life and accomplishments represent a pivotal chapter in ancient Indian history, showcasing leadership, strategic prowess, and a vision for unified governance.