Chandragupta Maurya

Chandragupta Maurya (c. 340–297 BC) was the founder of the Maurya Empire and the first monarch to unify most of the Indian subcontinent under one centralized imperial administration. Guided by the brilliant Brahmin strategist and economist Chanakya (Kautilya), Chandragupta overthrew the corrupt Nanda dynasty of Magadha around 321 BC.

He subsequently defeated the Seleucid Empire during the Seleucid–Maurya War (305–303 BC), forcing Seleucus I Nicator to surrender eastern satrapies in Arachosia, Gedrosia, and Paropamisadae (modern Afghanistan and Pakistan) and formalizing diplomatic ties marked by the ambassador Megasthenes. In his final years, Chandragupta renounced his vast empire, embraced Jainism under the monk Bhadrabahu, and attained spiritual liberation through ritual fasting (sallekhana) at Shravanabelagola.