Chandragupta Maurya

Modern statue of Chandragupta Maurya at Birla Temple, Delhi

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire in South Asia. He was born in a humble family, was picked up, taught and counselled by Chanakya (also known as Kautilya) – a Hindu Brahmin who wrote the Arthashastra. Together, Chandragupta and Chanakya built one of the largest empires in the subcontinent.

Chandragupta Maurya defeated Seleucus I Nicator, one of the successful satrapies of Alexander the Great and married Seleucus I Nicator daughter Helena . He was the ruler until 297 BC. He became a Jain monk and died at Shravanabelagola of Karnataka in the same year.