FIRST KING OF INDIA

The great ruler Chandragupta Maurya, who founded Maurya Dynasty was indisputably the first king of India, as he not only won almost all the fragmented kingdoms in ancient India but also combined them into a large empire, boundaries of which were even extended to Afghanistan and towards the edge of Persia.

Chandragupta Maurya was born around 340BC in Patliputra in Magadh, the region which is currently known as Bihar. He was only 20 years old when he founded Maurya Dynasty in Magadh with the help of great economist, scholar, philosopher and a learned Brahmin Chanakya.

In fact, it was Chanakya who discovered Chandragupta Maurya in Vinjha Forest. Chanakya wanted to take revenge from Dhana Nand, the King of the then ruling Nanda Dynasty of Magadh. Chanakya was in the search of a young warrior who could help him eliminate Nanda Empire as the King Dhana Nand had once insulted him badly due to his ugly looks. On his orders, the soldiers of Dhana Nand had even forcefully thrown Chanakya out of his assembly.



To fulfil his aim, Chanakya mentored and trained Chandragupta Maurya in different war skills. Simultaneously he also taught him humanities, crafts and all the political lessons required for becoming a powerful ruler. Later in the year 322 BC, Chandragupta Maurya successfully raised a strong army with the help of Chanakya and eliminated the empire of Dhana Nand and established Maurya Dynasty in Magadh.

Chandragupta Maurya ruled till 298 BC and during his regime, he transformed Maurya Dynasty into a large empire by winning almost all the kingdoms ruling across the country and bringing them together under its wide umbrella. Further, he started his annexation drive and expanded the boundaries of Maurya Empire to encompass Bengal, Assam, Kashmir, Deccan Plateau in South India to far away Afghanistan, Baluchistan till the edge of eastern Persia. We can classify the life and major achievements of the great emperor Chandragupta Maurya as following:

Conquest of Nanda Dynasty

Born with natural leadership talent, the courageous Chandragupta Maurya had a unique alluring personality which caught the attention of Chanakya, the kingmaker. Together they raised a huge army and attacked Nanda Empire and eliminated it successfully. It is said that in his first attempt Chandragupta Maurya remained unsuccessful; however, in the second attempt he successfully captured Patliputra, the capital of Nanda Empire in Magadh and established Maurya Dynasty.

Liberation from Greek rule

Soon after conquering Magadh, he sensed a hidden protest of the people against the Greek rule in the north-west, where currently the Punjab and Sindh are located. Chandragupta took advantage of the emerging discontents and waged war against the Greek Satraps, ruling in those areas after the death of Alexander. The growing conflicts among the Greek generals also helped him in assuring victory and he became successful in capturing the entire north-west region and established his rule over there.

Annexation of Afghanistan and Indus Valley State

After winning the north-west frontiers with the help of a huge army he moved towards the Indus Valley states known currently as Afghanistan, Eastern Persia, etc. The entire Indus Valley region along with eastern Persia was under the control of Greek Satrap Seleucus Nicator. Seleucus initially fought a fierce battle with Mauryan army; however, he was defeated soon. To establish peace in the region, Seleucus signed a treaty with Maurya Empire and also married his daughter with Chandragupta Maurya. In this way finally, the entire Indus Valley states came under the rule of Maurya Dynasty.





Recognition as King of India

Concurrently with Afghanistan annexation, he captured Hindu Kush region, Iran as well as parts of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Back home, he extended his empire further by concurring Saurashtra, Kathiawar in western India. Simultaneously he established his rule in Deccan Plateau as well in South India.