Chandragupta
68
Chandragupta or Chandra Gupta Maurya was the grandfather of "Ashoka the Great" and founder of the Mauryan dynasty in India. He was the first of the great kings originating from Bihar (ancient Magadh) in the third century BC. It is known that he had a humble beginning. Several theories have been postulated about his beginnings. Two of them seem most appropriate.
His parents having passed away, he was sold by his uncle to a trader. One day he was playing with other boys. He was given the role of a king where he gave judgements to his subjects. Nearby Vishnu Gupta (also know and Kautilya or Chanakya) watched. He bought the boy from the trader and brought him to Taxila University (now in modern Pakistan) where Chanakya taught him the art of political science.
Other story indicates that he was a son of a Nanda king. His mother was a princess called "Mura" but more likely a maid. He was brought up like a prince in the royal Nanda palace. The Nanda rulers were powerful but highly unpopular. Chankya was a Brahmin courtier humiliated by the Nandas. He met Chandragupta and brought him to Taxila.
Some speculate that he was either a Shudra or Vaishya by caste and his family was involved in taming peacocks (Mayura in Sanskrit, Mor in Hindi/Magadhi and Mora in Pali is peacocks). Some Buddhist texts have indicated that he might be of the "Sakya clan" as of the Buddha. But some historians suggest that this might be an attempt to associate the Mauryas and Buddha together as originators of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
Chandragupta plotted to invade Magadh with the help of the Macedonian army of Alexander. However the idea failed hence he gathered an army of his own and invaded the outskirts of Magadh and finally defeated the Dhanananda, the last of the Nanda kings in 321 BC. He established himself the king of Magadh with Chanakya his advisor and prime minister. It was this Maurya dynasty that covered a large part of India giving the concept of one unified India.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Comments
what about the end of Chandraguptha? It is on record that on knowing that his kingdom will come under famine for 12 years, he crowned his son, and left for south with his Guru Bhadrabahu and thousands of deciples. He and his guru reached the present Shravanabelagola and stayed there. That was somewhere in 3rd century B.C.Chandragutha became a jain monk in the last days of his life. He and his guru died there only, on the small hill . Even now the footprints of Badrabahu are worshipped there. Chandragupha also died sometime later.This incident is recorded in inscriptions. This may be taken as an annexure to above article.( Shravanabelagola is in karnataka)
an article that is consise and informative.
however inclusion of references to your article regarding mentioned facts will complete the article and help curious reader to explore more on his own
Copyright notice: (c) All rights reserved. All materials published are subject to copyright. Rudra
DEBASIS says:
2 years ago
It is a nice true story.Chandragupta mourya was a brave king and chankya was a shrewed political adviser