Monday, April 2, 2012

What is the connection between Alexander the Great and Chandragupta Maurya?

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Mauryan Empire in 326 b.c.e. His battles unified the entire subcontinent, except for part of Afghanistan. This helped to establish the great empire of India. It was located in what is now northern India. Chandragupta Maurya was influenced by Alexander’s example. He defeated Magadha, and made the capital at Pataliputr, then warred against Seleucus Nicator, in 305 b.c.e.(Alexander's successor) Then Seleucus and Maurya agreed to a peace treaty and established a shared border in Afghanistan. They  even shared a wedding alliance. Seleucus had appointed an ambassador to Maurya. It was the famous Megasthenes, who wrote a book on India. It survives today only as bits and pieces in other famous Indian texts.


In a similar vien, Alexander the Great's conquests that lasted a full 10 years, defeated all of Persia, however he was stopped in India because his troops revolted.

No comments:

Post a Comment