ChandraGupta Maurya was one of greatest emperors and warriors of the Indian subcontinent who defeated the Nanda empire at the age of 20. His story has held interest for long as he has unified & ruled India efficiently.and is one of the greatest warriors & admimistrators the world has seen. His kingdom not only covered India but extended into present day Afghanistan,Baluchistan & Nepal. Not much of Chandra Gupta Maurya's birth & lineage is known for lack of any proper text in English and whatever is known is derived from Brihakatha & Mudra rakhshasa & Kautillya's works...It is believed that he was from humble origins and was bought by peocock tamers in Magadha and was discovered & moulded by Chanakya who had a score to settle with the Nanda King.He allied with Parvathaka aka Porus & defeated the Nanda king & was coronated as emperor in Patali Putra.
The events thereafter lead to CGM subduing Malayakettu who plotted against him with the help of Chanakya's machiavellian tactics & appointing Rakhasa as a minister in his court..Not satisfied with his conquest of India CGM brought part of Afganisthan under his control through a marriage allaince with the daughter of Seleucus Nikator Seleucus recieved 500 elephants in return for the alliance.By all accounts that was the last of the wars fought by CGm & the rest of his 16 years of his reign was dedicated to administration of his empire. That has been recorded by Megasthenes an envoy send by Selucus to CGM's court.
To be continued..