Kaurawaki – Ashoka’s second wife

Kaurawaki is second wife of emperor Ashok and the only wife whose name is on Ashokas edicts. Kaurawaki is credited with inspiring Ashoka to become a bhuddist. Kaurawaki was daughter of a fisherman in Orissa/Kalinga. Some say Ashoka fell in love and married her. Others say Kauwaraki was a tribal princess of Kalinga and defended Kalinga after majority soldiers died in war. She was captured by Ashoka’s army and Ashoka fell in love with her braveness and than married her and made her his wife. This is as per Orissa legends where Kalinga empire was situated.

Second story of his marriage to her is that Ashoka was once exiled out of Mauryan empire by father Bindusara on insistence of Prince Sushim. Another story says he was so cruel to some revolters of Magadh that Bindusara was forced to exile him. They say Sushima was so jealous of Ashoka curbing Ujjain revolt without much blood shed that instigated Bindusara against Ashoka. The people of Magadh used to call him Chand Ashoka.

Kaurawaki was the mother of Tivala. Tivala was third child of Ashoka and second son after Mahendra. Since Mahendra became bhuddist monk Tivala was considered as successor of Ashoka. But he died before Ashoka. Prince Tivala served as the viceroy of Takshashila or Taxila for long.

Ashoka edicts clearly state that Kaurawaki ha major role in changing cruel Ashoka. Ashoka started a series of welfare measures for people of Mauryan empire on Kaurawaki’s advice. Kaurawaki later converted to Bhuddism anad became sanyasin later on in life. Kaurawaki is credited for many religious and other donations in edicts. Even her son Tivala (or Tivara) is mentioned in the edicts.

Now everyone knows after Kalinga war Ashoka converted to Bhuddism. After Kaliga war Kaurawaki was captured and became his wife. Ashoka also took to Bhuddism and changed his life style. Now how Kaurawaki died is not known or recorded. Some say she died in Kalinga war because of which Ashoka changed. 3 lakh soldiers and many more citizens died in Kalinga war. The color of the river in Kalinga turned red for long. Now thats also possible as after marrying Kaurawaki Ashoka went back to pataliputra, Magadh. He did not take her to Magadh and left her behind and she bore him a child Tivala. Other’s say she became sanyasini after Kalinga war and died later on.

The Kalinga war was so brutal that Devi who was a Bhuddist left Ashoka and refused to see him when he went to meet her. That shocked Ashoka a lot and he changed himself to a better man. Other story says Ashoka went on tour to to Kalinga after war and saw so many dead body and river in red color and all buildings burnt that it shook his conscience. Whatever real reason may be Ashoka changed after Kalinga war. Kaurawaki became a bhuddist and later sanyasini and left palace and went to forest. Ashoka converted to Bhuddism under guidance of priests Radhaswami and Manjushri. Thus going from Chand Ashoka to Ashoka the great. The kalinga war was also a personal tragedy for Ashoka as Devi and Kauwaraki both left him after this war. It is not given in any book if Devi and Kauwarawki forgave and accepted him back. Whatever the real reason but his both wives leaving him and the brutality of war changed Ashoka.

Devi : Ashoka’s first wife

Devi was first wife of Ashoka. Her real name was Vedisa Sakyakumari also called Devi. She was born around starting of 302 BC. She had two children Mahendra and Sangamitra. Devi was daughter of a merchant in Vidisha. Ashoka married her when he was working as viceroy of Ujjain. It is said that Devi was a bhuddist and from the clan of Sakhyas of Bhudda’s family clan. But mostly thats fabrication she may be just a common merchants daughter in Ujjain. Mahendra her first born son was born in 285 BC. Sangamitra was born in 282 BC. When Ashoka was recalled back to Pataliputra by his father emperor Bindusara, he left behind Devi with his children at pataliputra. Ashoka was married to Princess Asandhamitra by Bindusara his chief wife and empress of Maurya’s.

Devi was very much loved by Ashoka. She created vihara’s in Vidisha at Sanchi and Bhilsa. Ashoka also selected Sanchi as the spot for his pillars basically because his wife belonged to Vidisha. The story of Ashoka falling in love with Devi is very interesting. At the age of 18 years Ashoka left to Ujjain to quell a rebellion as per Bindusaras orders. There he met Devi and it was love at first sight. They say Kaurawaki was his love but in reality Ashoka loved Devi most. Ashoka sent wedding proposal to Devi’s father and he agreed but Devi rejected that proposal. That was a shock for a prince. Devi thought of him as a cruel warrior and hated him. Ashoka went and asked Devi why she rejected his marriage proposal? Devi told him if he quells Ujjain rebellion without bood shed she will marry him. Ashoka did as promised, quelled rebellion without war and Devi married him. Ashoka was 18 years old than. Devi was 14-15 years old than.

Devi was a great believer of Bhudda and she brought up her kids Mahendra and Sangamitra with Bhuddist teachings. Ashoka had left to capital and stayed there with his wives. But since Devi was a commoner it did not deem fit to have her in capital.Devi stayed back at her fathers house.  

Mahindra was eldest son of Ashoka and Devi born in 285 BC. Mahindra was first Bhuddist monk to travel outside india and propagate Bhuddism in south asia. He converted the Sri Lankan King Devnampriya Tissa to Bhuddism. Ashoka wanted his dear elder son to become next emperor. But the ministers and court did not like a Bhuddist son from a commoner wife becoming next emperor. Mahindra also accepted to become Bhuddist monk with his sister at age 21 years. Mahindras life was always in danger from political enemies. Although Mahindra was never interested in luxury of a prince or becoming next emperor or crown prince yet the court politics ensured he was targeted for being a commoner mothers child and being a Bhuddist. Anyways the enemies need not have bothered as Mahindra was interested in becoming a monk and left to Sri Lanka a few years later. He died at age 80 years in 205 B.C. in Sri Lanka only like his sister. 

Sangamitra was born around 282 BC to Ashok aand Devi. She was married to Ashoka’s nephew Agribhami at age 14 years. She became a Arhanth Teri (Nun) at age 18 years and went to Sri Lanka to propagate Bhuddism. She had one son Sumana who also accepted Bhuddist order and became a Arhant and went to Sri Lanka to propagate Bhuddism with his uncle Mahendra. Sangamitra helped propagate Bhuddism in Sri Lanka and other countries. Ashoka loved his daughter very much and was not ready to permit her to go to Sri Lanka initially. But Sangamitra persisted and than only he permitted her. But he sent other 10 other priestess with her. Sangamitra left to Sri Lanka at age 32 years and remained there till death at age 79 years of age in 202 BC. The Bhikkuni sangha was established by her in Sri Lanka.

Its a matter of great pride that being emperors elder children who could have succedded him and become next emperor or empress both Mahindra and Sangamitra renounced all luxury of life and propagated Bhuddism. It just implies what great teachings and upbringing their mother Devi provided them in early years of life. Devi died in 242 B.C. at age 58 years in Ujjain.

Ashoka The great?

 

Ashoka

Some people are born great. Some people have greatness thrust on them. And some achieve greatness (William Shakespeare) In this post we will examine if Ashoka was really as great as hes made out to be or an aura has been created over him over the centuries. Most emperors after they become famous will try to white wash their past and try to potray as great humans or that others led them to do those atrocities. Whether its Akbar or Ashoka all of them have been extremely cruel in their initial days or for long before finally enlightenment struck them. Or may be the need to be that violent to reach on top reduced. And they started consolidating what they won. And than they were known as benevolent leaders later on in life. Was Ashoka’s greatness thrust on him by historians or was he truly a great and changed man after Kalinga war?

Ashoka was so cruel even as a Prince he was called Chand Ashoka by citizens of Maurya empire.

In 274 BC Bindusara fell ill and Crown Prince Sushima was far away in war field. He rushed back to Pataliputra. However Ashoka his younger step brother had taken control of the city using Greek mercenaries. The crown prince Sushima was caught and roasted alive in fire. After this 4 years of civil war took place between Ashoka and his other 98 brothers. Ashoka killed 98 of his brothers. He spared Tissa or vitAshoka as he was his brother born from his own mother. Many officials who sided against Ashoka were also killed brutally.

The story in history says Ashoka did Kalinga war in 262 BC and seeing the destruction had remorse and converted to Buddhism. Thats wrong because Ashoka converted to Buddhism two years back in 264 BC. Ashoka converting to Buddhism was not out of regret to Kalinga war but to get ahead in race of succession. Bindusara belonged to Ajivikas sect and Chandragupta to Jainism. Most of Ashokas brothers were one of these two religions. So Ashoka converted to Buddhism that opposed these two to gain acceptance. Kalinga war led to 1 lakh soldiers dying in war field and 1, 50,000 taken as prisoners. The prisoners were not left. Indeed in Orissa stone edicts state that if any other state dares revolt against Mauryan empire it will meet Kalingas fate. This was all after Ashoka converted to Buddhism few years back.  So basically this story of Ashoka becoming reformed human after Kalinga war could be a Buddhist creation to promote their faith.

Further Ashoka carried out religious persecution after becoming emperor. He put 18000 Ajivikas to death in Bengal. A jain devotee in Pataliputra was drawing a painting of Buddha bowing to Jain thirthankara. Ashoa locked his entire family in house and set their house alight. He than declared he will give one gold coin for every decapitated head of a jain. To be noted here Chandragupta Maurya was a jain and Bindusara followed Ajivikas faith. The carnage of jains ended when his younger brother Vitashoka aka Tissa was killed because hes a Jain monk. All this incidents were after Kalinga war and in his late 40s.

Even his children had a tough time, infighting in family led to prince like Kunal losing his eyes. He loved his maid and married her. That Queen was responsible for his favourite son losing his eye sight. Ashoka was so engrossed in his personal enjoyment that he had no idea what his Queen had done to his son Kunal.  

Ashoka was not even a great administrator. During his rule civil unrest started thanks to his cruel rules and killings. The north western regions given by Seluecus were lost and became independent. The Satvahanas took over southern india and Orissa after his death. Basically he just ruined what had painstakingly built by his grandfather Chandragupta Maurya.

Basically you read auto biographies of great people there is lot of gloating of virtues. Like Akbarnama where Abul Fazl praises Akbar sky high, hiding all follies. Ashoka’s edicts are also similar meant to create a good view of his rule. There is no denying he spread Buddhism across Asia but does he deserve to be called the greatest emperor of India and may be Asia, debate remains on that.

Ashoka’s illness

Ashoka had a skin disorder. This skin disorder was so unpleasant that Bindusara his father sent him away from Pataliputra, the capital of Mauryas. The story in Bhuddist books goes like this that Ashoka as a child had met Gautam Buddha who asked for alms. Ashoka playfully put dust into his bowl. That is why he was punished with skin disorder in this life. Ashoka even ordered his Queens to be burnt alive as they found it dirty to touch his skin. Ashokas court astrologer declared that Ashokas body wears “inauspicious” marks for which he performed meritious deeds as penance. It was written in books that Ashokas skin emitted bad odour and substance like pus from the skin pores. He may be having Von Recklinghausen’s disease which is a dreaded disease. It is a genetic disorder and characterised by tumors in skin and nerves. These will lie dormant in many but some it shows up again and again. Like it did with Ashoka. It can also cause fainting and mental retardness. But Ashoka was not mentally retarded for sure but a cruel man. Hence named Chand Ashoka by citizens.

Ashoka did not have only skin disease. In Sri Lankas Chronicles on Ashoka, its mentioned that he would faint or go unconscious at various times of his life. Like when Ashoka was on a pilgrimage once to Bhuddist places he fainted at Kushinagar. He had to be revived by his attendants. Same way in Bodh Gaya too he fainted. This is decipted in gates of Sanchi Stupa. Most probably he had epilepsy disease as he fainted now and than.

The third reference on his health condition was during his old age after 50s, he was very unwell and an impure substance was oozing from his pores. His Queen Trishyarakshitha ordered a man with similar substance. After trying various remedies the Queen cured him using onion. Even Ashoka was given same onion treatment and he got cured. Onion was considered unclean vegetable as it grew below soil in those days. Only low caste ate it.

Ashoka was a great emperor but a very cruel warrior and administrator till his late 40s. But he was also a very fragile and sick man as mentioned in books and pillars of that time. It is a wonder how he could be such a good warrior and administrator if he was so sick and had so many health issues. That shows his exceptional will power and determination.

Nand daughter – Chandragupta Maurya’s wife

Dhananand was the emperor of Magadh empire and the most powerful king in Indian sub continent at that time. His kingdom was richest among all Indian subcontinent kingdoms and his army was strongest among other Indian kingdoms. But Dhananad was a cruel and egoistic emperor. In those times Alexander the great was attacking Asian kingdoms and defeating them one by one. The most powerful Persian empire too was attacked by Alexander. Chankya was a teacher in takshashila who was worried about advancing Alexander forces. He decided to ask help of emperor Dhahanand to stop the advancing forces from conquering Indian subcontinent. He went to court of Dhananand and requested him to unite in fight to defeat Alexander. But Dhananand got offended that a Barhmin teacher was advicing him and insulted and kicked him out of the court. Chankya vowed to take revenge. Chankya saw a young kid Chandragupta and decided to make him emperor and taught him in takshashila and made him a great warrior. Chandragupta defeated Dhananand in second war and ascended throne of Magadh in 312 B.C.

Chankya married Chandragupta to Dhananad’s youngest daughter. This was a political marriage to ensure Dhananad’s supporters do not raise revolt. Dhananand only took his wives and left to forest after the war. No other male member of Dhananand was alive to take care of his family. His 9 sons and 7 brothers were killed by Chandragupta in the war. Many female relatives of Dhananad that included Dhananand’s daughter, some wives and cocubbines and brothers wife and children were left behind in magadh fort. Chandragupta Maurya after marriage to Dhananad daughter (legend name her Nandini but her real name is not recorded anywhere) gave shelter to Dhananad’s relatives.

Many of the daughters left behind by Nand were trained as Vishkanyas by their father Dhananand. Although Chandragupta had many children from his many wives the prominent being Dhurudhara from whom he has Keshnag and Bindusara and a son named Justin by Helena the Greek Princess, there is no mention of any children from Nand daughter in any contemporary work.

Some books even suggest that Nand’s daughter tried killing Chandragupta’s wife Dhurudhara by poisoning her because of which she was imprisoned for many years by Chandragupta Maurya. But this version may not be true because Chankya used to put cobra poison in Chandragupta’s food from childhood that made him resistant to poisonous venoms in world. Dhurudhara ate from his plate and died. This story of Dhurudharas death is accepted by many historians. So Nands daughter may not have killed Dhurudhara. But whether she was went to prison because she was an enemies daughter cannot be confirmed acurratly. Anyways the chance that Dhananand’s daughter attempts to kill Chandragupta or his wives is mostly impossible because many of her female relatives were sheltered by Chandragupta.

Nands daughter is totally missing be it in books by Chankya or travellers of that time. Neither is Nanads daughter mentioned in any pillars and places where Magadh emperors wrote about their families etc. Hence we can assume that she was not that important, neither Chandragupta loved or cared for her much like he did Helena and Dhurudhara.

Chandragupta abdicated throne of Magadh in 289 B.C. and became jain monk and went to Shravanabelegola and died there after 2 years by fasting unto death.  Chandragupta wives Helena and others lived with Bindusara in Magadh fort. Nands daughter may also have continued living with Bindusara. Its said she also accepted jain religion along with Chandragupta. But no document of that time confirms this fact.

Did Nands daughter have a child from Chandragupta Maurya? If Dhananands daughter and his nemisis Chandragupta had a love child would that fact not be mentioned in any books of that time? Ideally it would be. But given Chankyas hatred for Dhananand and Chandragupta having killed her entire family, its highly probable that they did not have children together. The fact that Dhananads daughter being Chandraguptas wife but hardly mentioned in any book or travellers of that time or by Chankya shows that the marriage was insignificant and only political in nature. And the fact that Dhananands many daughters were vishkanyas and one of them killed Parvatak also means that Chankya would have ensured Chandragupta stays away from Dhananands daughter for his own protection.

Chandragupta was 32 years when he married Dhananads daughter and she must have been in her pre teens 7-12 years old. In those times girls married at average age 7 years in India, maximum 10-12 years. Going by this historical information Dhananands daughter must be in her pre teens when she married Chandragupta who was in his 30s. Chandragupta was busy consolidation empire till 40-42 years to have any time for love. He was going on wars continuously in those times because he captured till Mysore in South and Afghanistan in North. So he must have been busy setting up the empire for next 10-15 years time rather than romancing Dhananands daughter or any other wife.

 

Chandragupta Maurya Helena Love story

Chandrgupta Maurya became an emperor of Magadh in 313 B.C. After that he conquered almost entire India from Mysore and Tamil nadu in South to Kashmir and Punjab in north. He conquered current Nepal and Bhutan too. In 305 B.C. Seleucos Nikator also attacked Punjab in India after conquering Babylon and Persia etc. He was confronted by Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. They already had another war before to gain control of Indus Valley.

Seleucos Nikator was defeated and had to make treaty with Chandragupta Maurya. As part of the treaty Selecus gave four provinces of Persia under Greeks to Chandragupta Maurya. That included present day Herat, Kandahar, Balochistan and Kabul provinces. Selecus married his elder daughter Helena to Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta Maurya was 40 years old and Helena must have been a teenage 15-17 years old during marriage. Seleucos even sent an greek envoy Megasthanes to Chandragupta court in Magadh.

Chandragupta Maurya in return gave Seleucos Nikator 500 elephants and loads of gold, diamond and precious jewellery as gifts in return. A close relationship was thus formed between Greek and Mauryan empire that lasted even in Bindusaras time. Chandragupta and Helena had a son from their union. It is said that Chandragupta Maurya fell in love with Helenas beauty and waged a war and defeated Seleucos Nikator to marry her. But there is no proof in any book.

Helena the young teenager who married Chandragupta Maurya the emperor was new to India and its customs. Initially her parents and younger brother accompanied the young bride to Pataliputra with the emperor. They were felicitated and enjoyed hospuiatlity of the emperor in Magadh palace for few weeks before returning back to Persia.

Chankya was not in favour of a foreign princess getting a major role in the court. Chandragupta had no chief wife or a chief consort after Dhurudhara’s death who occupied the position as Empress of Mauryan Empire. If a Princess was given the Empress position, this would have been mentioned in Chankya’s book or the numerous envoys or travellers who visited Magadh. For all purposes Dhurudhara was the first and last Empress or Chief Consort of Chandragupta Maurya and after her death none of his other wives had that position.

Chandragupta Maurya had many wives from royal background whom he married after becoming emperor of India. He also had many children especially sons from his numerous wives as mention by Megasthanes in his book on india. Megasthanes mentions in his book that “No one is allowed to catch fish from ponds inside palace except the Kings sons who play with the fishes and catch them”.

Once Helena arrived in India she had to learn Indian languages and customs to gel into her husbands home. Chandragupta Maurya was fond of her and even Bindusara had good relations with her. Bindusara must have been only a few years younger than Helena. Bindusara even kept good relations with Helenas brother and Greeks after becoming emperor. Helena had a son from Chandragupta according to Megasthanes but nothing is mention in details about him. Helena is said to have learned Sanskrit and Indian dance after coming to magadh.

As per historical book Sandracuttos (Chandragupta Maurya’s name in Greek literature) was smitten by Princess Helena and favoured her. Chankya was not in favour of an foreign princess getting major role in court. Chandragupta Maurya converted to Jainism at age 56 years in 289 B.C. Helena was in her early 30s when he left for Sharavanabelogola and meditated and fasted to death 2 years later.

Helena stayed with Bindusara and in later years went to Greece and lived rest of her life there. Her son Justin must have been a  young kid when his father Chandragupta left to forest. Bindusara was 31 years of age when Chandragupta left to forest.  Although Chandragupta had many wives and many sons, Bindusara was sole heir to throne and he did not have any contenders. The crowning of Bindusara as emperor of Magadh was peaceful and none of his siblings or step mothers opposed it.

Chandragupta v/s Dhananand – Magadh war

 

Chandragupta Maurya

Mahapadmanand upsured the throne of Magadh in 353 B.C. He was the son of a barber a low caste. Maha Padmanand had eight sons and eldest was Dhananand. Dhananand himself had many sons and daughters. Alexander the great attacked Indus valley in 326 B.C. where he was given stiff resistance by Punjab King Porus. Alexander after defeating Porus went upto Beas and than started retreating because of rebellion in his army.

The entire ganga ranges upto Magadh was under Nanda dynasty than. Mahapadmanand defeated prominent Kshatriya dynasty like Kalinga, Kosis, Mithila, Panchalas etc. Nanda empire had about 2 lakh foot soldiers, 8000 war chariots, 6000 elephants and about 80,000 horses(as per Greek historian Plutarch). Dhananad was Maha Padmanand’s son and his father rested all power in his hands during last years of his reign. Dhananad was an incapable and cruel king who extorted huge amount of wealth through huge taxes. Kalinga was one kingdom that revolted against Dhananand and got its independence and remained independent till the great Kalinga war of Ashoka.

Chankya was a scholar and teacher who taught in Takshashila – modern day Balochistan. Chankya wanted to ensure that the Greek invasion be stopped by the powerful nandas but he was humiliated by Dhananad. Hence Chankya vowed to finish Nanadas and place a capable man as emperor on throne at Magadh.

Chandragupta was brought up by a low caste man. His name was Kshema Dharma and mothers name was Moora. His father was a peackock herdsman. The story goes that baby Chandragupta was found in the cowshed by his father and brought up by him. Chandragupta grew up to be a smart and brave kid. One day Chankya was passing Chandragupta’s village when Chandra along with his friends was playing role of a king. Chankya was so impressed by the young kids role play as King that Chankya decided this young kid will be emperor of Magadh and unify Indian continent in future.

The Buddist Mahavansa calls Chandragupta belonging to Kshatriya clan of Sakyas from which gautam Buddha came. Chandragupta belongs to Moriyas clan of Kshatriyas an off shoot of Sakyas as per Buddist texts. James Tod an historian of modern time too claimed some Rajputh clans descended from Mauryas. Jain writings state that Chandragupta Maurya belonged to Pipplivan and after attacks from Nandas, Chandragupta’s mother fled to Magadh where she gave birth to Chandra and left him in the cow shed. Whatever be the fact, Chandragupta’s real parentage was never established with evidence ever. So we can only tell that Chandragupta was adopted by a peacock herdsman and his wife and brought up on outskirts of Pataliputra the capital of Magadh empire(modern day Patna in Bihar, India).

Pultrach, the greek historian says Chandragupta met Alexander in his youth in 325 BC. Many versions of how Chandragupta and Chankya met and came together abound. One version was Chankya brought/purchased Chandragupta as a kid from his parents and trained him in taxila till his youth. Another version says that Chandragupta was an ambitious teenager and wanted to defeat Nandas and hence joined hands with Chankya to defeat Nandas. Whatever the version, Chnadragupta and Chankya combined forces to defeat Nandas and unite India.

In 324 B.C. Euedmos was appointed as the incharge of Indus valley region by Alexander. Porus was murdered by Euedmos in 317 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya who had already conquered smaller principal kingdoms in North India attacked Punjab in 317 B.C. Euedmos could not handle the attack and moved back to Persia, thus making Chandragupta the undisputed King of Punjab. Then Chandragupta Maurya took two more years to defeat the smaller kingdoms upper Himalyan ganges regions like Kashmir, Ladhak, Himachal etc.

But initially Chandragupta faced defeat fighting the huge Nand army as a young commander. He had to go into exile in forest to save his life as Dhananand’s army was after him to capture and kill him. His mother was captured and executed by Dhananand. Chankya himself was captured and tortured by Dhananand. Chandragupta’s army ran away to save their lives. Chandraguptas family was on the run from Dhananad’s men. Till 320 B.C. Chandragupta faced lots of hardships and defeats in war. Finally Chandragupta Maurya changed his strategy and attacked frontier regions on edge of Nanda empire. One by one pain stakingly he captured the smaller regions in Nanda empire. He stationed his army garrison so that the captured regions do not fall back into Dhananands hands. Chandragupta through his constant attacks reduced the strength of Dhananand by reducing nand empire wealth (kosh) army (bhala) capacity and prowess (vikrama).

Chandraguptas army consisted of Greek mercenary(left behind by Eudemos and Alexander), Central Asian fighters from Persia, Afghanistan and Tajakistan apart from other South Asian regions(called as united India). In those days Afghanistan, parts of Tajakistan etc were majorly hindu religion citizens. Nandas belonged to lower caste the barber caste and they did not treat upper caste and Brahmins with respect. Even citizens did not respect a Shudra King.  Although Chandragupta was brought up by shudras Chankya propagated that he is a Kshatiya from Piplivan and hence he was more capable of ruling than a Shudra King Dhananand.

Chandraguptas exact caste cannot be known as his real family was never found but some consider him Shudra as he was brought up by Shudra parents. But many consider him as Kshatriya, atleast Bindusara and Ashoka considered themselves as Kshatriya. Chandragupta converted to Jainism in his 50s, Bindusara followed Brahminical and Hindu religion and so did Ashoka. Ashoka converted to Bhuddism in his 50s too after the kalinga war. For all purpose we can ignore their real caste and consider them as Kshatriyas as they were basically warriors.

Finally in 314 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya attacked Nandas in Magadh. Bhaddasala was the commander of Nandas. Chandragupta defeated Nandas and all eight sons of Nandas were killed by Chandragupta in the battle. Dhananand’s sons were also killed in battle. Chandragupta was crowned Emperor of Magadh in 313 B.C. at age 32 years. Dhananand was allowed to retire to forest with his wives. The people of Magadh were very happy and welcomed the young Chandragupta on streets of Magadh after he defeated Dhananad. Such was joy at his defeating Dhananand that there was festive atmosphere in magadh as Chandragupta entered Pataliputra. The same year he married the daughter of Dhananand(name not known) as per Chankyas wishes.

Malayketu, the son of Parvatak rose in revolt against Chandragupta in 312 B.C. after Nandas defeat and death. Five Chiefs of Nandas and Amatya Rakshasa the Prime Minister of Nandas were involved in this revolt. Chankya handled the revolt well and malayketu was isolated and he became a vassal of Chandragupta.  Chandragupta then conquered entire India from Afghanistan to Mysore leaving very few kingdoms independent.

 

 

Porus- Alexander: The battle of Hydaspes

Porus or Puru raj was the King of modern day Punjab. His capital was Lahore. His kingdom lay between the Jhelum river(called Hydaspes by the Greeks) and Chenab(called Asesines in Greek literature). Alexander the great fought four battles in Asia, among which the battle of Hydases was important as he incurred heavy loses. Also, he decided to turn back and return back after this momentus battle. By the time Alexander reached the banks of Jhelum he had already conquered many big empires in Asia especially Syria, Egypt(in Africa), Persia(ruled by Darius III) and Babylonia. Alexander was 29 years old when he set out to conquer India and Porus was in his 50s.

In 327 BC Alexander and his army leave Bactria, in present day Tajakisthan and heads to Afghanistan(which was part of India then). On the way he added many Persian cavalary men to his army as they are very good at facing the elephants the Indians own in their army.In 326 BC the army of Alexander reach Indus river in Taxshashila kingdom(modern day Balochistan). The ruler of Takshashila(Taxila in Greek) is Ambhi Raj, who has enemity with Porus and Puru Kingdom. So he welcomes Alexander and joins him in his campaign to defeat Porus. He even provides him elephants, war horses and cavalary expert in warfare.

Porus is waiting for him on other end of river Hydaspes preventing him from entering North of India. Alexanders army camps on other side of Hydaspes(Jhelum) and Porus lines the other side with his army and elephants. Porus thinks that Alexander will wait for river flow to reduce to cross, but Alexander gets his men to get boats and crosses near a bent curve in river in peak summer when river is in full spate. But majority of Alexanders army is left on other side of river as this is a ambush plan. Alexanders horses are terrified of the huge elephants and refuse to swim across Jhelum. So Alexander plans to make a surprise ambush from back side on Porus army and take elephants away from the shore so that all his horses agree to land on the shore.

Alexander, in his own letters, has given as account of his war with Porus. He says the two armies were separated by the river Hydaspes, on whose opposite bank Porus continually kept his elephants in order of battle, with their heads towards their enemies, to guard the passage, that he, on the other hand, made every day a great noise and clamour in his camp, to dissipate the apprehensions of the barbarians

Alexander and his small army move in night shadows to the bent curve where his boats slowly take him to the other side. There is heavy rain the night Alexander and his small army move to other bank of Jhelum. Porus army is surprised by the early morning attack and the rain and their chariots wheel get struck in wet mud on the bank. One of Porus son dies in the attack and the remaining who are alive run off back to the main army on far shore.

Porus decides to attack Alexander himself but leaves some elephants and soldiers on bank of river to dissuade his huge army on other side from crossing over. Porus took 200-300 elephants and nearly 30000 cavalary men to attack Alexander. But by then Alexanders remaining army starts crossing the river bank. Alexander marches against left wing of Porus army and his commander Coenus marchs through the right wing. Alexanders army rains arrows on Porus army and the elephants get scared and run in panic. Coenus succeeds in breaking the right plank and moves back side and attacks Porus army from back side.

Arrian wrote:

In time the elephants tired and their charges grew feebler, and with nothing worse than trumpeting. Taking his chance, Alexander surrounded the lot of them – elephants, horsemen, and all – and then signaled his infantry to lock shields and move up in a solid mass. Most of the Indian cavalry was cut down in the ensuing action; their infantry, too, hard pressed by the Macedonians, suffered terrible losses.

The Macedonians are in open field while the Porus army is struck between hills. The injured elephants go on rampage and Takshashila army and Persian cavalary dodge them. Craetrus army reach bank in teams and start attacking Porus. 20,000 infantry men of Porus are dead and 3000 cavalry men also are no more. Porus two sons die in battle. Alexander hardly loses 1000-2000 men in this battle.

Porus is brought in front of Alexander. Alexander asks what treatment he should receive. Porus replied “Treat me like a King would treat another King”. Alexander was impressed by his bravery on field and off it and made him his vassal and gave back his kingdom.

Plutarch wrote:

When Porus was taken prisoner, and Alexander asked him how he expected to be used, he answered, “As a king.’ For that expression, he said, when the same question was put to him a second time, comprehended everything. And Alexander, accordingly, not only suffered him to govern his own kingdom as satrap under himself, but gave him also the additional territory of various independent tribes whom he subdued…

After this battle Alexander moved towards Indian Ocean. But his beloved horse “Bucephalus” died of old age and battle wounds. Bucephalus was around thirty years old and was with Alexander since his youth. There was an rebellion in the Macedonian army and Alexander decided to go back home.

About this decision Plutarch wrote, “Alexander at first was so grieved and enraged at his men’s reluctancy that he shut himself up in his tent and threw himself upon the ground…but at last the reasonable persuasions of his friends and the cries and lamentations of his soldiers…prevailed with him to think of returning.”

But he died in 323 BC on way back home in Babylon. He probably died of malaria or liver disease by chronic drinking.

Chandragupta’s Folly

Chandragupta Maurya

 

Chandra Gupta Maurya when he reached adulthood decided to defeat the Nands who ruled major portions of North India.

Chandra Gupta went and met Alexander the Great in 325 B.C. at the age of 20 years to see whether he can help to defeat the Nands. But he could not get required support. Hence he started building his own army and with help of Chankya started recruiting young men and training them in warfare.

Once he had a huge army he attacked the Magadh Empire ruled by Dhananand on borders in 320 B.C.. But he was defeated by the huge Nands army. Chandra Gupta Maurya had to run to the forests and take shelter to save his life from Nands army.

One day Chankya and Chandra were walking in a village when they they saw a woman serving her child hot rice. The boy put his hand in center and burnt his fingers and screamed in pain.

The mother commented “ My son you are as foolish as Chandra Gupta himself”

The boy asked “ Mother why what am i doing that you are comparing to Chandra Gupta”

The mother replied “You put your finger in center which is more hot and burnt your fingers. Chandra gupta also is doing the same mistake, he is attacking the major city without subduing the frontiers. Hence the inhabitants of the frontiers are rising against his army and Nands army is defeating him easily”

After hearing this woman Chandra Gupta went back and raised an army again and started attacking smaller kingdoms like Punjab and conquering them before he finally attacked Magadh and defeated Dhananand.

Parvatak death – How Chandragupta became the only emperor of India?

Chandragupta Maurya gathered an army to defeat Dhanannad the ruling Nand empire king. But since the army was not huge enough he and Chankya went to King Parvatak and asked for help. Parvatak was the king of the Himalayan region the present day Nepla and father of Maleyketu. Parvatak agreed provided he will get half the sahre of provinces won by Chandragupta Maurya after defeat of Dhananand.

In 314 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya attacked Magadh kingdom.  The Magadh army was commanded by Bhadrashal a powerful army commander of those times. But Dhananand army aws no match to Chandraguptas warring powress and Chankyas tactics. The 9 Nandas lost their life in the war and Dhananand’s army was routed. When Dhananand  was brought in front of Chandagupta he requested Chankya to help him retire with his wife and daughters to a forest which was graunteed. Dhananand left with his wives and few daughters. He left behind the families of his dead brothers and sons. Also he left behind a few of his daughters. Now some of these daughters were trained Vishakanyas.

Parvatak and Chandragupta along with Chankya entered the Magadh palace. In the following days Parvatak and Chandragupta divided the huge wealth of Dhanananad among themselves. Now it s happened that Dhananand had left many of his daughters back in the palace and Paravatak became greatly enamoured by one of them.

Parvatak requested Chankya to conduct his marriage with this Nand daughter. Since Nand youngest daughter was already married to Chandragupta, Chankya had no objections. The marriage was fixed and conducted. Now no one was aware of the fact that this daughter of Nand was a Vishakanya. Dhananand had fed small doses of poison to his many daughters and left them behind so if they come in contact with enemy men, the men would die.

The marriage was a grand affair and the rituals began.  During the rituals the fire produced swaet in this Nand daughters hand that transferred into Parvatak’s body. After sometime Paravatak collapsed because of the poison spreading in his body. He cried and requested Chandragupta to bring the doctors so that his life could be saved. Chandragupta was about to order doctors to treat him when Chankya stopped him.

Everyone went off leaving Parvatak to die an agonizing death near the marriage fire. Thus Chandraguptas lone competitor and partner in war died and Chandragupta became emperor of entire Magadh empire.

 

Mauryan times

 

 

Chankya’s death

Chankya

 

Chandragupta Maurya abdicated his throne and left Pataliputra for Shravanebelogla in Karnataka at age of 56 years with a jain monk Bhadrabahu. There  he became a jain monk and fasted unto death on the rocks of Shravenebelagola in 287 B.C. (when he was 58 years). Bindusara became the next emperor and Chankya became his advisor. Subhandu a minister of Bindusara and the other ministers hated Chankya. Chankya loved Bindusra alike an own grandson and Bindusara also treated Chankya with affection and reverence. One day Subhandhu went to Bindusra and told him that Chankya had killed his mother. Bindusara was shocked and started treating Chankya with disdain and contempt. This pained Chankya to no end and he left the palace and decided to fast unto death.

Chankya donated all his wealth to the poor, widows and orphans and sat on fast unto death above a dung heap. A nurse maid of Bindusara who was his mother Queen Dhuradhara’s maid told Bindusra about his birth mystery about how Chankya saved his life when his mother had eaten poison.  Bindusara was filled with remorse and ran to Chankya who was sitting on fast unto death. But Chankya despite Bindusara’s pleadings refused to give up his fast. Bindusara was angry on Subhandu and killed him for misleading him. Thus Chankya died after fast unto death.

Another theory of his death is that Subhandhu set the dung heap on fire that Chankya was sitting and fasting to death and Chankya died burnt alive.

Nands daughter and Chandra Gupta Maurya : Love at first sight

Nand was defeated in the war. He lost all his sons and brothers in the war with Chandra Gupta. He requested Chankya to allow his wives and few daughters to leave the Magadh palace and retire to forest. Chankya permitted Dhananand to leave the fort with his wives and daughters. But Chankya also ensured spies followed him and his family into forest and kept an eye on them so that if he plans to get back magadh or endanger Chandraguptas life they can kill him immediately.

Now there are two versions of how Chandra gupta married a Nands daughter.

The first version has a romantic spin to it. In this version ans Nand and family were leaving the fort, Chankya along with Chandra Gupta and  Parvatak was entering the Magadh capital. One of Nands daughter(name not provided) became attracted seeing the young and majestic Chandra Gupta Maurya and was viewing him unabatedly. Nand who saw his daughter viewing Chandra Gupta repeatedly asked her to choose her husband as she wished. Nands daughter told of her wish to marry Chandra Gupta and Nand allowed her to go to Chandra Gupta.

Chandra Gupta was entering the Pataliputra fort with Chankya  and Parvatak. Nands daughter got down from her fathers Chariot and ran to Chandra Guptas chariot. The axle of the wheels broke and Chandra Gupta ordered her not to come behind them or climb his chariot. But Chankya stopped Chandra Gupta and said not to dissuade a woman who had loved him whole heartedly and left her family for him. Thus Nands daughter married her fathers Nemesis Chandra Gupta Maurya.

The second version is Chankya wanted the ministers of Nand to support Chandragupta Maurya and hence he ordered him to marry Nands younger daughter. A few of Nands daughters were left behind by him as he left Magadh palace and Chandragupta married the younger daughter of Nand and provided shelter to the remaining in the fort. Many of the daughters left behind by Nand were trained as Vishkanyas.

Whichever version is to be believed, for Chandragupta it was a political marriage arranged by Chankya to help secure the Magadh kingdom in long term.

Ashoka Family Tree

Ashoka the Great was born in 304 BC to Emperor Bindusara. Bindusara was the son of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya the founder of Maurya dynasty. He was the 3^rd Emperor of Maurya dynasty and ruled Indian Subcontinent from 262-238 BC(36 years reign). He died at age of 72 in 238 BC. Ashoka’s mother was a Brahmin and her name was Shubadrangi or Dharma. Ashoka had many names associated with him like Samraat Chakravartin (emperor of emperors), Devanampriya (the beloved of god), Priyadarshin (He who regards everyone with affection). His empire extended from present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan to India till Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Here are a few facts on Ashoka and his family

Father: Emperor Bindusara

Mother: Shubadrangi or Dharma(in south) a commoner Brahmin

Brothers:

Sushim – Elder step brother

Vitashok – Real brother (younger)

He had many more brothers and sisters but details not known

Wife:

First wife – Devi was a Buddhist nurse and daughter of a merchant in Vedisagari. She was mother of his elder son and daughter Mahendra and Sangamitra. She was not made chief Queen as she was a commoner.

Second Wife – Kaurawaki was a fisherwoman and mother of Ashoka’s second son Tivala, Ashoka credits her with changing his lifestyle and embarking on welfare measures for his citizens in his edicts. She was his favourite Queen as her’s is the only name on Ashoka’s edicts.

Third Wife and Chief Queen – Asandhimitra the chief Consort of Ashoka, she remained childless but was Empress of Mauryan Empire for more than 30 years, She was given title Agramahishi means chief Queen and his chief advisor. She died in 240 BC. Ashoka was deeply aggrieved by her death.

Fourth Wife – Padmavati mother of Kunala the future heir and second son of Ashoka

Fifth Wife – Trishyaraksha was also a chief Queen later after Asandhamitra’s death. She died in 238 BC. She was a maid of Asandhamitra and vowed Ashoka using her dancing skills. She was also responsible for making his heir Kunala blind. She committed suicide. Ashoka was so enamored by her that he made her chief Queen although she was a commoner maid.

Children

Sons:

Mahendra born in 285 BC and became a Buddhist monk at the age of 20

Tivala(or Tivara) was the viceroy of Takshila, he died before Ashoka

Kunala was the natural heir to Ashoka but was blinded at a young age by his step mother Trishyaraksha. His mother Padmavati died when he was an infant and Ashhoka’s Chief consort Asandhamitra brought him up like her own son Jaluka

Jaluka 

Daughters:

Sangamitra born in 282 BC and became a Buddhist monk like her brother Mahindra

Charumati was a daughter of Ashoka through his cocubbine but adopted by Asandhamitra

Granchildren

Dasaratha who became Emperor after Ashoka

Sumana son of Sangamitra

Samprati son of Kunala and the Emperor after Dasaratha

This is not an exhaustive list and will be updated when data will be available

Chandra Gupta Maurya – Family Tree

 

Father:  Sarvatha Siddhi (assumed given by jain texts)

Mother:  Not Known

Father(adopted):  Kshema Dharma

Mother(adopted): Mura

Wife List

Empress Dhuradhara: Married in 325 B.C. (at age 20 years)

Daughter of his eldest maternal uncle and brother of his adopted mother Mura and chief consort of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya

A princess of Nanda Dynasty: Daughter of the defeated King Dhananand (Name unknown but called Nandini in folklores) married at age 32 years

Princess Helen: Married in 305 B.C. after defeating Seleucus Nicator (at age 40 years)

Daughter of Seleucus Nicator, Commander in chief of Alexander the Great

Children

Keshnak: Elder son of Dhuradhara and Bindusara died at as a baby (at age 23 years)

Bindusara: Heir born in 320 B.C. to Dhuradhara is a cousin of Chandragupta Maurya (at age 25 years)

Granchildren

Sushima

Ashoka

Vitaashoka

Note1: People assume that Dhananand daughter is Dhuradhara but the Jain and Bhuddist books clearly state she was Chandragupta’s cousin and maternal uncle’s daughter(adopted mother side)

Note2: Chandragupta had many wives and many children but the details are not available

Note3: No one can say who is real parents of Chandragupta because he was found in a cow shed by his adopted father

Note4: Chandragupta Maurya family name comes from his adopted mother name “Mura” or because his father was a peackock herdsman “Mor” was expanded to Maurya

Note5: In some Buddhist texts Chandragupta is said to be Kshatriya from Sakya clan(that of Gautama Buddha) but some other texts quote he was from a low Shudra caste. But in reality since Chandraguptas birth parentage was never established(his real parents were never found), its difficult to day which clan or caste he belonged to. But his heirs considered themselves as Kshatriya’s.

Note6: The Buddhists assume that Chandragupta was from Sakya clan to which Gautam Buddha belonged and that his father name was Surya Gupta. But there is n concrete evidence to prove this.

Note7: Its mentioned in some Greek books that Chandragupta and Helena had a son and his name was Justin. In reality Chandragupta had many children but their details are not available. This fact was written by travelers to his court.

 

Bindusara Family Tree

Father: Chandragupta Maurya

Mother: Dhuradhara

Birth: 320 B.C.

Ascended Magadh Throne: 289 B. C. (31 years)

Death Date: 264 B. C. (56 years)

Wives

Shubadrangi (Dharma)

Children

Sushima

Ashoka

Vitaashoka

Note: Bindusara in total had 16 wives and 8 sons as per the Tibetian writer Tarantha

 

Ashoka Maurya Timelines

304 B.C. Ashoka birth

284 B.C. Birth of son Mahendra (20 years)

282 B.C. Birth of daughter Sangamitra(22 years)

268 B.C. Sangamithras marriage to Agni brahma (36 years)

264 B.C. Death of Bindusara after 25 years of reign (40 years)

264 B.C. Official coronation ceremony of Ashoka (40 years)

262 B.C. Kalinga war (42 years)

260 B.C. First Minor Rock Edict at Bodh Gaya(44 years)

259 B.C. Issue of two Kalinga Rock Edicts(45 years)

257 B.C. Issue of fourteen Rock Edicts (47 years)

250 B.C. Pilgrimage to Lumbini gardens birth place of Buddha

250 B.C. Ashoka officially starts sending Buddhist missions and adopts it as state policy (54 years)

228 B.C. Ashoka death (76 years)

Note: Chandragupta abdicated in 289 B.C. and Bindusara ruled for 25 years till 264 B.C. when he died. Ashoka was crowned and ruled till 228 B.C. Ashoka had his own regenal years.

 

Chandragupta Maurya Timelines

345 B. C. Birth of Chandragupta.

325 B.C. Chandragupta met Alexander the Great (20 years)

325 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya marries his first cousin Dhuradhara (maternal uncles daughter)

323 B. C. Keshnak, elder son of Chandragupta is born and dies as a baby

320 B. C. Bindusara’s birth and Dhuradhara’s death by poison

316 B. C. End of Greek domination in the Punjab by Chandragupta. (29 years)

314 B. C. Chandragupta invaded Nanda dominions. (31 years)

313 B.C. Coronation of Chandragupta as emperor (32 years)

313 B.C. Chandragupta marries a daughter of Nanda  (32 years)

305 B.C. Seleukos Nikator defeated by Chandragupta. (40 years)

305 B.C. Chandragupta married Helena, the daughter of Seleukos Nikator(40 years)

289 B.C. Chandragupta abdicated throne (56 years)

287 B.C.  Chandraguptas Death (58 years)

Note1: Chandragupta became a jain monk under guidance of Bhadrabahu and did meditation in Sharvanabelogola in Karnataka before fasting unto death. Chandragupta met Alexander when he was around 20 years old so his birth was around 345 B.C. as per buddist records. In Greek mythology Chandragupta is named Sandrakottos.

Note2: Some books say that Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne of Magadh in 321 B.C. instead of 313 B.C. That is incorrect because Porus lived till 317 B.C. and ruled his domains then only Chandragupta attacked Punjab and annexed it around 316 B.C.

 

Emperors of Magadha empire – Chronology

519 B.C. Bimbisara ascends the throne  (28 years of reign) and belonged to Haryanka dynasty

491 B.C. Ajathashatru  son of Bimbisara ascends throne (25 years reign)

483 B.C. Nirvana of Buddha

468 B.C. Nirvana of Mahavira

466 B.C. Darsaka son of Ajathashatru ascends throne (25 years reign)

441 B.C. Udayi ascends throne (33 years reign)

408 B.C. Udayi’s death

353 B.C. Maha Padmananda murdered his soverign Kalasoka and upsured the throne and founded Nanda dynasty. Maha Padmananda was the son of a barber and a soverign of Kalasoka(an minor) and ruled 28 years

326 B.C. Alexander the great invades Indus valley(India)

325 B.C. Dhananad ascends the throne of Magadh(12 years)

325 B.C. Chandragupta Mauray meets Alexander

323 B.C. Death of Alexander the great

317 B.C. Chandragupta Maurya conquers Punjab

313 B.C. Chandragupta defeats Dhananand and ascends the throne

Bibliography: Sir William Jones, The Puranas, Parishitaparvan, The jain and Bhuddist chronicles of Ceylon and India

 

Dhuradhara: The First Indian Empress

Dhurudhara

Dhuradhara was the first wife and chief consort of Emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Her name means distinguished or eminent. According to the jain book Mahavamsatika Dhuradhara was the daughter of the elder brother of Chandraguptas mother Mura.  Dhuradhara and Chandragupta were married in 325 B.C. She gave birth to two sons of Chandragupta one Keshnak in 323 B.C. and the heir Bindusara in 320 B.C. She did not live long to enjoy her husband’s success from an ordinary man to an emperor of India. She died just before giving birth to son Bindusara.

The story goes that Chankya was scared that his most precious pupil could be poisoned by his opponents and always mixed a bit of poison in Chandragupta’s food without his knowledge. One day Chandra gupta shared food from his plate with his wife Dhuradhara without knowing it is poisoned. Dhuradhara was just 7 days away from giving birth to Bindusara. Immediately Dhuradhara felt unwell and collapsed.

Chankya who was passing that way rushed into the room and first cut off her head so that the poison does not reach the baby and then cut her stomach and removed baby Bindusara. The mother had already died by then but a drop of the poison fell on the baby’s forehead making a black round spot. Hence he was named Bindusara. Bindusara became a favourite of Chankya who treated him with extreme affection and taught him about warfare and administration. Thus Dhuradhara was the first Empress and Queen Mother of Magadh Empire(posthumously) as Chandragupta did not marry anyone for a long time after her death.

Chandragupta loved Dhuradhara very much as although he later married a Nanda Princess, the daughter of Dhananand(name unknown) for political compulsions, yet Dhuradhara only remained the chief consort of Chandragupta(posthumously) and the Empress of Mauryan  Empire. Chandragupta did not have another chief consort although after the death of Dhuradhara he had married many other princesses after becoming an emperor.  She can also be called the first Empress of India.  She was also mother of two sons of Chandragupta Keshnak who died as three day old infant and Bindusara the next emperor of Mauryan Empire.

 

Helena : The Greek Mauryan Princess

Seleucus Nikator

Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleukos Nikator the commander in chief of Alexander the great and the ruling Emperor of Persia in 305 B.C. It was a political alliance in which Helena the daughter Seleukos Nikator and Macedonian Princess married Chandragupta Maurya, the Emperor of India(and Mauryan Empire).

Though the father of Helena was against the marriage as Chandragupta was not a Greek yet Helena was attracted to Chandragupta and advised her father to arrange her wedding to him. Helena must have been in her 15-17years when she was married off to Chandragupta Maurya who was 40 years then. Helena was daughter of Seleukos and his Persian wife.

Helena became quiet Indian after marriage to Chandragupta Maurya. She learned Sanskrit and Classical Indian music. She became his chief consort and Empress of Mauryan Empire. Chankya agreed to the marriage of Helena and Chandragupta Maurya only after taking in writing that Helena’s son shall not ascend the throne of Magadh. Hence the historians hint a love affair between Helena and Chandragupta.

It is believed that Chandragupta waged a war against Seleukos Nikator so that he could marry Helena. The story goes that one day Chandragupta was going with his gaurds on horse when he saw Helena and her friends playing near a river. Chandragupta was attracted to this young lady and fell in love with her. He started writing letters to her and after sometime she too started reciprocating his feelings. That is when Chandragupta decided that he had to marry this Greek Princess his love and attacked Seleukos Nikator.  Seleukos Nikator was defeated and he gave Helena’s hand in marriage to Chandragupta Maurya in 305 B.C.  Chandragupta Maurya gave 500 elephants as gifts to his father in law Seleukos Nikator and he in return gave him large parts of Afghanistan and Persian Empire. Chandragupta and Helena had a son from their union.

In 289 B. C. at the age of 56 years Chandragupta Maaurya abdicated his throne to his son Bindusara and embraced Jainism and left for Shravanabelegola in Karnataka where he meditated for 2 years and fasted unto death in 287 B.C. Helena stayed back with Bindusara after Chandragupta’s abdication and later left to Greece where she died.

 

Bindusara: Birth Story

Bindusara

Bindusara was the son of the first Mauryan emperor and founder of Mauryan empire and his first wife Dhuradhara. Chandra Gupta Mauray became an king and emperor after defeating the Nanda’s king Dhananand. Chankya always felt that Chandra guptas life would be attempted by his enemies. And that came true also because Vishkanya’s were sent to kill Chandra gupta Maurya.

So Chankya decided that to protect Chandragupta Maurya he would have to get immune from poison. So he would add a pinch of poison in his food everyday without Chandraguptas knowledge. One day Chandragupta had meals with his wife Dhuradhara. Dhuradhara ate the meals from his plate too and immediately fell very sick. She was just a few days away from giving birth to Bindusara.

In order to save Bindusara life, Chanakya rushed to her and cut off her head to stop the flow of blood through her body and then cut open her stomach and pulled out the baby Bindusara. But a drop of poison fell on baby head and it left a black mark on his forehead hence he was named Bindusara. He was also known as Simhasena.

 

Nigrodha and Ashoka – A meeting that changed Emperor Ashoka

Ashoka

 

The meeting of Ashoka with Nigrodha the son of Sushima his elder brother is a turning point in Emperor Ashokas life. Two incidents made Ashoka realize the path of ahimsa and Buddhism. One was meetng Nigrodha the son of Sushima his elder brother whom Ashoka killed to becomer emperor and second is the Kalinga war where more than a lakh people were killed in war with Maurya empire.

One day Ashoka was sitting in his palace when he saw a Buddhist monk going in front of his palace. Ashoka asked the gaurds to call that Buddhist monk inside for a meeting. The Buddhist monk was called inside and Ashoka asked him who he was?

Nigrodha told him, he is Nigrodha a Buddhist monk and son of Sushima. Ashoka was shocked, because Sushima was his elder brother whom he had killed to become an emperor of Maurya dynasty. But Nigrodha showed neither anger nor hatred towards Ashoka and his face was calm and composed.

Ashoka got down from his throne and went to Nigrodha and hugged him and told him to sit in any seat in the court. Nigrodha looked around and did not find any seat empty except that of Emperor Ashoka. Nigrodha walked up to the throne and sat on it and Ashoka followed him back to his throne. Both sat on throne and talked about Nigrodha and Buddhism. That was the first time Ashoka heard about ahmisa and Buddhism.

Note: Nigrodha’s father was Sushim  the eldest son of Binduasara. After the death of their father Bindusara in 273 B.C. there was a war for the throne among the sons of Bindusara, where Ashoka emerged victorious by killing many of his step brothers. A legend says he killed 99 of his step brothers to ascend the throne of Magadha. Its believed Ashoka pushed Sushim in a pit filled with hot coal and killed him.

 

Kunala – Ashoka’s dutiful and worthy son

Kunala was the son of emperor Ashoka and Queen Padmavati. His mother died a few days after his birth and he was brought up by the chief consort of Ashoka, Queen Asandhimitra (also known as Devi). After Mahendra became a buddist priest the next in line to succeed Ashoka was Kunala. Kunala as per the notings of Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang was known through out the kingdom for his great compassion, piety and humility.

There was an uprising in Taxila and Ashoka sent Kunala to quell it. Ashoka had told Kunala that if he wanted to send any message or ordersw he would send it in sealed envelope with a mark of his teeth. Trishyaraksha was the chief Queen of Ashoka at that time in BC 238. She was a maid of Ashoka’s first wife Asandhamitra and wowed Ashoka through her dancing skills. She was responsible for making Kunala blind.

There are two major stories behind her plotting to make Kunala the next heir blind.

The first story goes like this. There was a huge age gap between Trishyaraksha and Ashoka and hence she was attracted to her step son the young and handsome Kunala. But she failed to coax sexual favours from Kunala who considered her as a mother. Hence she conspired and had him sent out of Pataliputra to Taxila. Once Ashoka wanted to send Kunala an order to send him two precious jewels from Taxila and wrote an letter to that effect. Trishyaraksha who was present there took the letter and put a dot over the letter ‘a’ to change Adheeyu to Andheeyu. Ashok adid not recheck the letter and sealed it with his teeth mark and send it to Takshila. The ministers of Kunala were shocked at the letter contents but Kunala wanted to not disobey the Kings words and set a wrong precedent. So he ordered his ministers to blind him with an hot iron rod and left with his family.

After years of wandering he finally arrived in Pataliputra with his wife Kanchanamala and wowed Ashoka with his melodious singing. Ashoka asked him what reward he wanted and Kuanla revealed his true identity. Ashoka was shocked to find him blind and in that pitiable condition. The enquiry was made on who had changed the letter contents and Trishyaraksha was executed. Some legends say that she committed suicide on her own. Kunala demanded his inheritance and Ashoka rejected it sadly because Kunala was blind. But Kunala told him he wanted it for his son not for himself. Ashoka asked him when he had a son and he showed Ashoka his young baby son Samprati(just now). Ashoka promised him that after his death Samprati shall be emperor of the Mauryan dynasty.

Another story on Kunalas blinding goes to say that Trishyaraksha wanted her son to be next emperor and hence to eliminate Kunala she hatched the plot to make him blind. Whatever the circumstances but Kunala became blind due to plotting of his step mother. Kunala represented the rare breed of loyal and selfless sons who would follow their father’s harsh and cruel orders although they were unjust. Kunala it is said had his eyes send to Pataliputra to be presented to Ashoka and when Ashoka received them he was shocked and regretted having sealed the letter without reading it.

Kunala means Eagle or Lotus and he is credited with establishing a kingdom in Indian-Nepal border near Mithila.