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Chandragupta Maurya
Chandragupta (c. 340–297 BCE) founded India's Maurya Empire from Magadha, overthrowing the Nanda dynasty with Kautilya's help, defeating Seleucus I, …
Timeline
- c. -340–-325Magadha · MagadhaAccording to Plutarch and Indian traditional sources, Chandragupta came from Magadha and, amid the turmoil in northwestern India after Alexander's campaigns, gathered forces, allied with Kautilya, and gradually took control of the core Ganges plain.
- c. -325–-321Pataliputra · PataliputraUnder Kautilya's strategic planning, Chandragupta defeated Dana Nanda, the last Nanda ruler, captured Pataliputra, formally established the Maurya dynasty, and became the new center of power on the Indian subcontinent.
- c. -305–-303Gandhara · GandharaChandragupta fought and defeated Seleucus I, gaining eastern Afghanistan and other lands by treaty; Seleucus gave him his daughter in marriage and sent envoys, establishing the Maurya Empire's northwestern frontier.
- c. -303–-297Pataliputra · PataliputraIn his later years he consolidated centralized rule, perfected the administrative and military systems, and passed the throne to his son Bindusara. Jain texts record that he moved south late in life, converted to Jainism, and died at Mount Shravana Belgola.
Sources
- Plutarch, Life of Alexander — Plutarch
- The Cambridge History of India, Vol. 1 — E. J. Rapson et al. (1922)