Candragupta Maurya

Founder of the Mauryan dynasty and grandfather of Aśoka, Candragupta seized power with the help of his political adviser Cāṇaka. He established his capital at Pāṭaliputra and considerably extended the territory of the previous Nanda dynasty. He defeated the Greek general Seleucus Nikator in 305 bce and as the result of a treaty concluded between them in 303 territory in the north-west was ceded to the Indians. As part of the same treaty ambassadors were exchanged and the Greek ambassador Megasthenes took up residence at the Mauryan capital. Candragupta further extended his kingdom to the south down as far as the Narmada river. After reigning for 24 years he was succeeded by his son Bindusāra, who continued the expansion to the south. According to legend, Candragupta became a Jain (see Jainism) and went to live in south India where he eventually starved himself to death in accordance with Jain custom.