Let us learn about Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya. Chanakya was an ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire.

 

Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya - Rise of Mauryan Empire

 

Kautilya assisted the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta in his rise to power. He was also the chief advisor to emperors.

Chanakya, also known as Kautilya or Vishnu Gupta, was an ancient Indian teacher, philosopher, economist, jurist, and royal advisor. He was born into a Brahmin family and received his education at Taxila.

 

Do you know, who wrote Arthashastra (The science of Material Gain)?

 

Arthashastra (The science of Material Gain), a classic treatise on polity, was written by Chanakya. He assisted the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta in his rise to power. He was also the chief advisor to emperors, Chandragupta and his son Bindusara.

 

When he saw the foreign invasion as a threat to India�s sovereignty, he went to Pataliputra to seek help from the ruler of Magadh, Dhanananda, who ruled over a vast empire. But Dhanananda insulted and removed him from his official position.

 

Do you know, how did the Mauryan Dynasty emerged?

 

When Dhanananda insulted Chanakya, he swore to take revenge and for this reason, he educated and trained Chandragupta. After a long series of battles with Nanda, Chandragupta conquered and they captured Pataliputra.

 

This led to the emergence of a new dynasty in 322 BC � the Mauryan dynasty with Chandragupta Maurya as the emperor. He built up a vast empire that included eastern, western, and north-western India and went up to Deccan. His empire extended from Bengal to the Hindu Kush and from the Himalayas to the confines of Mysore.

 

Who Was Chandragupta Maurya?

Chandragupta Maurya ruled the Mauryan Empire for about 25 years from 322 BC to 297 BC. Bindusara was the second emperor of the Mauryan empire.

 

Chandragupta Maurya

 

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire in ancient India. He created a new empire, built a large army, and continued expanding the boundaries of his empire. He ruled for about 25 years from 322 BC to 297 BC.

 

� He was one of the most remarkable rulers of the Mauryan Empire.
� He was the first in India to establish a mighty and united empire. He drove the alien invaders, the Greeks, out of the country.
� He was also the builder of the nation, a great conqueror, and a great empire builder.
� He renounced his empire and gave up his throne for his son, Bindusara, and became a Jain monk and starved himself to death.

 

Bindusara assumed the title of Amitraghata (the slayer of enemies), was the second emperor of the Mauryan empire. He ruled for 24 years and died in 273 BC. He was succeeded by his son, Ashoka the Great who ruled from 273 BC to 232 BC.

 

Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya - MCQs

 

1. Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?
a) Kautilya
b) Bindusara
c) Ashoka
d) Chandragupta

 

2. When did Ashoka die?
a) 261 BC
b) 300 BC
c) 268 BC
d) 232 BC

 

3. Who was given the title of Amitraghata?
a) Ashoka
b) Vishnugupta
c) Chanakya
d) Bindusara

 

4. Who became the Jain monk and starved himself to death?
a) Kautilya
b) Nanda
c) Bindusara
d) Chandragupta

 

5. For how many years, did Chandragupta rule over the Mauryan Empire?
a) 20 years
b) 18 years
c) 22 years
d) 25 years

 

Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya - MCQs

 

1. Chanakya received education at :
a) Vikramshila
b) Nalanda
c) Pataliputra
d) Taxila

 

2. Chanakya was humiliated by :
a) Guptas
b) Kushans
c) Satavahanas
d) Nandas

 

3. Chanakya was also known as :
a) Skanda Gupta
b) Chandra Gupta
c) Samudra Gupta
d) Vishnu Gupta

 

4. Arthashastra, a classic treatise on polity, has written by :
a) Chandragupta
b) Skandagupta
c) Ashoka
d) Kautilya

 

5. When did the Mauryan empire begin?
a) 326 BC
b) 323 BC
c) 298 BC
d) 322 BC

 

Read More:

Mauryan Administration: Army, Occupation, Taxation, Trade and Society