The grand hall echoed with a hushed reverence as Chandragupta, after years of relentless warfare and conquests, ascended to his rightful place on the throne. The air was charged with the weight of history, and the scars of battles won and lost adorned the backdrop of the regal chamber. As Chandragupta settled into the seat of power, he took a moment to breathe, the echoes of his victories resonating in the chamber. He was king, and now he had to rule.
In our last episode, Chandragupta strategically challenges Greco-Macedonian authority in post-Alexander India. Victorious battles lead him to Magadha, where he faces the formidable Dhanananda. Through financial maneuvers and Chanakya's intricate plots, Chandragupta ascends the throne. His empire expands vastly, clashing with Seleucus I Nicator, and culminating in a treaty that solidifies Chandragupta's realm. The chapter narrates an epic tale of conquests, diplomacy, and the rise of the Mauryan Empire.
Chandragupta was a brilliant ruler. He carefully managed the vast empire he built. He held tight control over the reins of power, with a council of ministers assisting in his duties. The empire, enormous in size, had provinces ruled by princes, preparing for the eventual ascent to the imperial throne. The administration of both urban and rural areas was complex, especially in the capital city, Pataliputra. Six committees oversaw various aspects of governance, such as sanitation, foreign affairs, vital records, and measures.
The Mauryan military, a powerful force, was always ready. Disciplined troops were trained by the state, including skilled forest tribes and mercenaries. The army, composed of infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants, was governed by a war office of thirty minds, overseeing forces like the navy and transport. According to Pliny, Chandragupta commanded a massive force-600,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, 9,000 elephants, and 8,000 chariots.
As Chandragupta's empire was secure, let's look at his final years. Towards the end of his life, Chandragupta's connection with Jainism became evident. Jainism, a non-theistic religion, originated in 6th-century BC India. is an ancient Indian religion that emphasizes non-violence (ahimsa), truth, and asceticism. Followers, known as Jains, strive to attain spiritual purity and liberation from the cycle of rebirth by practicing ethical and disciplined living. And Chandragupta, having been a man born with an incredible violent streak, seems to have found some peace in the religion’s teachings.
In fact it appears he had quite a few dreams which he attributed to the religion calling out to him. These dreams terrified the king so much that he sought answers, and the answers weren’t pretty. When asking Bhadrabahu, a leading figure in Janism at the time, what the meaning of his dreams were, the answers were one of destruction and famine. Needing to do something, Chandragupta knew he had to go on a spiritual journey. But he was king of the largest empire in India, he couldn’t just leave.
Well it turns out he could, so he did. Inscriptions from between the 5th and 15th centuries spoke of Chandragupta traveling on a spiritual quest. It is believed that he abdicated, embraced asceticism, and journeyed to Karnataka with Bhadrabahu, concluding his life with the ritual of sallekhana-fasting unto death.
Chandragupta ruled for 24 years, passing the rule to his son Bindusara.His legacy is one of ambition, military conquest, success and failures, a fantastic rule, and ultimately a spiritual awakening, both in himself and in the lands he ruled.
SOURCES:
www.worldhistory.org/
www.britannica.com/
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