CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

 Known as the founder of Mauryan Empire, King Chandragupta Maurya is

considered to be one of the most able rulers who ruled and unified India.
 Chandragupta Maurya ruled from 320 - 298 B.C approximately. he was the
ruler of Maghada, then the largest state in northeastern India.  By 315 B.C.E. he
had expanded into the Punjab and Indus River valley.
 Chandragupta and his son, Bindusara, extended Mauryan rule over northern
India and the Deccan to the south.
 Their rule was strict, In the words of the Arthashastra, the political manual
written for Chandragupta, "Government is the science of punishment." 
 On the other hand, also following the Arthashastra's advice that a king's good
is what is good for his subjects, Chandragupta and Bindusara built and
maintained roads, bridges, and irrigation systems.
 The life history of Chandragupta Maurya is very intriguing and inspiring.
 Chandragupta's empire extended from Kashmir in the north to Deccan plateau
in the south and Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west. Such was the
extent of his empire that not just India, but even neighboring lands of
Afghanistan, Baluchistan, Nepal came under his kingdom.
 Not much is known about the youth of Chandragupta Maurya.
 Some say that he belonged to the Magadha clan and was born of an illegitimate
affair between a Nanda prince and a maid.
 As a young child he had the qualities of a successful ruler. He was first spotted
by Chanakya who recognized the true talent of the young lad. Chanakya trained
him and taught him the principles of warfare.
 Chanakya is supposed to have taken several tests of the young Chandragupta.
These are part of the lore of both men.
 Chandragupta Maurya's biggest achievements were defeating Alexander's army
and taking over the Nanda Empire at a young age of just 20 years
 After uniting India during his efficient reign, Chandragupta gave up the throne
and adopted the life of an ascetic.
 According to Jainism, Chandragupta became an ascetic under the saint
Bhadrabahu Swami. He migrated towards the south approximately to the
present day Karnataka and left for heavenly abode in a small cave. A temple
has been built in that site in the honor of the emperor.