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Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE, overthrowing the Nanda dynasty with the help of his adviser Chanakya and uniting much of the Indian subcontinent for the first time. He defeated and made a treaty with Seleucus I, and according to Jain tradition gave up his throne to become a monk.
Biography
Origins and Chanakya
Little is certain about Chandragupta’s early life; different traditions describe him as of humble or of noble birth. Indian tradition credits the Brahmin scholar Chanakya, also known as Kautilya and traditionally the author of the Arthashastra, with training him and planning the overthrow of the Nanda kings of Magadha.
Building an empire
After Alexander the Great’s withdrawal from north-western India, Chandragupta took control of the Punjab and around 321 BCE captured Pataliputra, founding the Maurya dynasty. Within two decades his empire stretched from Afghanistan to Bengal and deep into central India.
Seleucus and Megasthenes
Around 305 BCE he fought Seleucus I, Alexander’s successor in the east. Their treaty gave Chandragupta territory in the north-west in exchange for 500 war elephants, and Seleucus sent the ambassador Megasthenes, whose account Indica describes Pataliputra and Mauryan society.
Renunciation
According to Jain tradition, Chandragupta abdicated in favour of his son Bindusara, became a Jain monk under the teacher Bhadrabahu and died by ritual fasting at Shravanabelagola in present-day Karnataka. His grandson Ashoka became the most famous Mauryan ruler.
Timeline
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321 BCE
Founds the Maurya Empire (approximate)
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305 BCE
War and treaty with Seleucus I (approximate)
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297 BCE
Abdicates (approximate)
Did you know?
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1
He received 500 war elephants from Seleucus I.
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2
Jain tradition says he died as a monk at Shravanabelagola.
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3
The Greek ambassador Megasthenes described his capital.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Chandragupta Maurya?
Chandragupta Maurya founded the Maurya Empire around 321 BCE, overthrowing the Nanda dynasty with the help of his adviser Chanakya and uniting much of the Indian subcontinent for the first time. He defeated and made a treaty with Seleucus I, and according to Jain tradition gave up his throne to become a monk.
Where is Chandragupta Maurya from?
Chandragupta Maurya was born in India.
What is Chandragupta Maurya known for?
Chandragupta Maurya is best known for Founding the Maurya Empire with Chanakya; overthrowing the Nanda dynasty; treaty with Seleucus I.
References
- Chandragupta Maurya — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Chandragupta Maurya — Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Chandragupta Maurya — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 27 October 2026.
- Chandragupta Maurya (Q188541) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Chandragupta Maurya”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 27 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Chandragupta Maurya.” TrackFame, last updated 28 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/chandragupta-maurya
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