🐘 THE MAURYAN EMPIRE: POWER POLITICS
PAGE 1 OF 5, INDIA BEFORE UNITY
FRAGMENTED LAND
KINGDOMS AND RIVALRY
In the fourth century BCE, the Indian subcontinent held many rival kingdoms and republics. The fertile Ganges plain supported dense farming and busy towns. The powerful Nanda dynasty ruled much of northeast India from its wealthy court, but its kings were resented for heavy taxes. When Alexander the Great invaded northwest India around 326 BCE, he defeated local rulers but his army tired and turned back. Greek sources mention a young Indian leader called Sandrokottos, likely Chandragupta Maurya, watching from the sidelines. Chaos and ambition created a chance for a new power to unite the region through force and clever planning.
🗺 MAGADHA
The kingdom of Magadha in the Ganges region was the heartland from which the Mauryan Empire would grow.
RIVALS!
MAGADHA
- Magadha sat on rich farmland and river trade routes.
- Iron tools helped farmers produce surplus grain for cities.
- Whoever controlled Magadha could dominate neighbours.
CHANDRAGUPTA
- Legends say Chandragupta came from a humble background.
- He studied politics and war at Taxila in the northwest.
- He gathered allies and mercenaries for a bold gamble.