Reign of Bindusara (298 BC - 273 BC)
298 BC: Bindusara becomes the new king of Mauryan Empire
After ruling for about twenty five years, Chandragupta left his throne to his son Bindusara and became a Jain ascetic. Bindusara inherited an empire including the Hindukush, Narmada, Vindhyas, Mysore, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Baluchistan & Afghanistan. He was called Amitraghata which means "slayer of foes" by Greek writers.
Bindusara`s Empire
Bindusara extended his empire further as far as south Mysore. He conquered sixteen states and extended the empire from sea to sea. The empire included the whole of India except the region of Kalinga (modern Orissa) and the Dravidian kingdoms of the south. The Dravidians kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras were very friendly with the Mauryan empire and so the king felt no need to conquer them. However, Kalinga was not friendly with the Mauryans and so a war was fought between the people of Kalinga and Mauryans led by Bindusara`s son Ashoka.
Administration during Bindusara`s Reign
Bindusara maintained good relations with Selucus Nicator and the emperors regularly exchanged ambassadors and presents. He also maintained the friendly relations with the Hellenic West established by his father. Ambassadors from Syria and Egypt lived at Bindusara`s court. He preferred the Ajivika philosophy rather than Jainism.
Extract from A History of India for Children by Roshan Dalal
Bindusara`s strange name led to many stories being invented about him. One story about his birth says that his mother was poisoned before he was born. So the unborn child was placed in a female goat. Finally, when born, he was covered with spots. So he was called Bindusara -- the spotted one.
Courtesy --- SHAHUL HAMEED
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