Divyavandana refers to Ashoka putting down a revolt due to
activities of wicked ministers. This may have been an incident in
Bindusara's times. Taranatha's account states that Chanakya, one of
Bindusara's great lords, destroyed the nobles and kings of 16 towns
and made himself the master of all territory between the eastern
and the western seas. Some historians consider this as an
indication of Bindusara's conquest of the Deccan while others
consider it as suppression of a revolt. Following this Ashoka was
stationed at Ujjayini as governor.
Bindusara's death in 273 BC led to a war over succession.
According to Divyavandana, Bindusara wanted his son Sushim to
succeed him but Ashoka was supported by his father's ministers. A
minister named Radhagupta seems to have played an important role.
One of the Ashokavandana states that Ashoka managed to become the
king by getting rid of the legitimate heir to the throne, by
tricking him into entering a pit filled with live coals. The
Dipavansa and Mahavansa refer to Ashoka killing 99 of his brothers,
sparing only one, named Tissa. Although there is no clear proof
about this incident. The coronation happened in 269 BC, four years
after his succession to the throne.
