The Life of Chandragupta Maurya

Claire Stapleton

History 134

12 April 2017
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Chandragupta Maurya was an Indian emperor that ruled from 322-298 BC, and was

considered to be one of Indias greatest rulers (Mookerji 1)1. He was the first Indian ruler to be

documented historically, and chronologically, which gives us a far more detailed record of his

dynasty than previous emperors (Mookerji 2).

Chandragupta is said to have been born a scion, the son of the last Nanda king and a woman of

lower class (Smith, Oxford History 73)2. He lived in Magadha for the beginning of his life until

he was forced into exile by the reigning king, and in his exile he met Alexander the Great during

his campaign in India (Smith, The Early History of India 117)3. When Alexander died,

Chandragupta attacked Macedonian officers in the Indus Basin with the aid of the northern

nations, and shortly after their success they returned to Pataliputra, Magadhas capital, and

eradicated the Nanda family with the help of Kautilya Chanakya, his future prime minister

(Smith, Oxford History 73). From the Nanda he inherited a huge army, which would grow to

become a massive force throughout his ruling (Smith, The Early History of India 118).

When Chandragupta put an end to the Nanda dynasty, he began his role as emperor. He

established the Mauryan dynasty, followed by several more conquests. He kept Pataliputra as the

capital, and would soon extend his dynasty across northern India (Violatti 2014)4. Part of his

1 Radhakumud Mookerji published Chandragupta Maurya and His Times, a biography that gives readers a clear
and insightful look into the rulers life.

2 Vincent Arthur Smiths Oxford History of India provides an in-depth Indian history from early times to 1911,
touching on Chandraguptas life and dynasty.

3 Another work of Vincent Smith, The Early History of India, focuses on the early life and the road to success of
Chandragupta.
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success in building his great empire was due to his mentor, companion, and chief advisor,

Chanakya (Violatti).

Chandragupta and Chanakyas next conquest was Seleucid Persia after a conflict with Seleucus

in 305 BC (Chandragupta Maurya)5. After Chandragupta captured a large portion of what is now

Pakistan and Afghanistan, he signed a treaty with Seleucus which established borders, and also

granted him the Punjab in exchange for 500 war elephants (Violatti 2014).

Chandragupta is said to have lived a very secluded life inside of his palace, away from publicity

due to his rise in power from violence, and focused solely on his conquests (Violatti 2014).

While he lived life as a recluse, he did not do so uncomfortably, as his palace was full of

luxuries, according to Violatti. When he did make an appearance, he was dressed in fine

embroidered robes and layered with gold, often riding on an elephant with golden trappings

(Smith, The Early History of India 122).

While Chandragupta was the first Indian ruler to be documented, there is not much else

recorded of his conquests after the battle with Seleucus. We know that in his 24 years as emperor,

he conquered what is now Afghanistan, ancient Ariana in the Hindu Kush range, what is now the

United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, Kathiawar, and the Punjab (Smith, Oxford History 74). He

had become to be the ruler of all of northern India.

Chandragupta did have a son, Bindusara (Nilakanta 138)6. In the days leading up to

Chandraguptas death, he gave up the throne and practiced strict self-discipline under a saint,

4 In an Violattis article, he provides a brief yet detailed understanding of Chandraguptas role in creating the
Mauryan empire.

5 This article from the Cultural India website discusses Chandraguptas several conquests and the expansion of his
empire.
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Bhadrabahu Swami, and died in 298 BC (Chandragupta Maurya). After his death, Bindusara

claimed the throne. During Bindusaras reign, from 298-272 BC, he extended the Mauryan

empire from northern India down to central India (The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India)7.

Again, not as much was recorded from Bindusaras reign, but we do know that he conquered the

land in between eastern and western India (Smith, Oxford History 76). Bindusara had a son as

well, Asoka, who would claim the throne after Bindusara (The Mauryan Empire of Ancient

India).

Asoka, Chandraguptas grandson, ruled from 272-232 BC (The Mauryan Empire of Ancient

India). Asoka is claimed to have been the most remarkable, and attractive, rulers in the history

of India, and indeed the whole of world history (The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India). He

was one of the most powerful kings of the nation, beginning with the war at Kalinga, which

forever changed him from a violent ruler to a peaceful ruler that was devoted to practicing and

spreading Buddhism (The Mauryan Empire of Ancient India). After Asoka, the empire did not

maintain its incredible status and the Mauryan empire began to decline.

Chandragupta was one of the most important rulers in Indias history, not only because he

was the first to be documented, but he vastly expanded his empire and claimed land for the future

of India. He worked from a young age to expand his conquest after a desire to be royalty, which

he accomplished. Chandragupta not only had an extremely successful empire, his son Bindusara

6 Kallidaikurichi Aiyah Nilakanta Sastris Age of the Nandas and Mauryas is an excellent record of the shift from
the Nanda empire to the Mauryan empire at the hands of Chandragupta.

7 The article from TimeMaps provides history from the beginning of the Mauryan empire from Chandragupta all the
way down to Bindusara and Ashoka.
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did as well, and was improved further by his grandson Asoka, with some lasting effects for

centuries to come.

Works Cited

"Chandragupta Maurya." Chandragupta Maurya. Cultural India, n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

This article provides an in-depth look at Chandraguptas conquests and his early life, and

the conquests that led to his rise in power.

Mookerji, Radhakumud. Chandragupta Maurya and His times. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass,

1966. Print.

Mookerjis book contains an excellent amount of knowledge in the life of Chandragupta,

from politics to personal, and also provides a detailed history of how his rule was

recorded.

Nilakanta, Sastri K. A. Age of the Nandas and Mauryas. Dehli: Motilal Banarsidass, 1998. Print.

Sastri focused here on the shift from the Nanda empire to the Mauryan empire, which

tells readers how Chandragupta came to rule, as well as a bit of history into his

personal life.

Smith, Vincent Arthur. The Oxford History of India. Oxford: Clarendon, 1920. Print.

The Oxford History of India discusses the history of India from ancient times until 1911,

with information from politics to culture throughout the years.

Smith, Vincent Arthur. The Early History of India. London: Oxford, 1967. Print.

Smiths works in The Early History of India provides a broad range of information about

India, while also giving a close look at the life and reign of Chandragupta.

"The Mauryan Empire." TimeMaps Atlas of World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2017.
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This TimeMaps article gives a brief yet helpful overview of the Mauryan empire and the

passing of power down generation to generation.

Violatti, Christian. "Chandragupta Maurya." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 26 June 2014.

Web. 12 Apr. 2017.

Violattis article for the Ancient History Encyclopedia is a straightforward and factual

account on Chandraguptas career and life from beginning to end and everything

in between.