Early History of Orissa

SR No.: 006922
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Amarchand Mittal
Publisher: Jain Cultural Research Society
Publication Year: 1957
Total Pages: 506
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 9 MB

Page 176

KALIŃGA UNDER THE MAURYAS
151 any early date connects the name of Bindusāra Amitraghāta with the conquest of any large tract of Peninsular India. On the contrary, the Greek accounts reveal that one of the chief delights of Bindusāra was sweet wine, dried figs and discussion with sophists. That might show that Bindusāra was a man of somewhat easy and leisurely temperament, and it was enough if he was able to keep the vast empire intact. Hence, if it be true that Bindusāra did not conquer the South and that Aśoka inherited it (since the only conquest of Asoka was that of the Kalinga country), the conclusion is irresistible that Chandragupta had conquered it. We come across various literary and epigraphic references to Chandragupta's connection with the South.
This is further strengthened by a passage of Plutarch, which states that 'Sandrocottos (Chandragupta) over-ran and subdued the whole of India with an army of six hundred thousand'.3 Further, we know that Chandragupta Maurya ascended the throne of Magadha in about 321 B. C. and fought against the Greek king Seleukas Nikator in 305 B. C. But then how did he occupy himself during the long interval between 321 B. C. and 305 B. C ? There is no doubt that he was an imperialist and expansionist. In the political condition of India in those days, especially after a great dynastic revolution and subsequent upheaval of the political, statusquo, to stand still was to invite disaster and downfall for a newly established Imperial power.
1. MoCrindle, Invasion, p. 409 fn: Hultzsch, Asoka, p. XXXV; Bindusära's interest in philosophy is also proved by his association with Ājiva.Parivräjakas (Divyūvadina pp. 307 f). Cf. A statement in Pillar Edict VII of Asoka that kings in the past also desired progress by the promotion of Dharma; K, A. N. Sastri, op. cit. p. 169.
2. Refer CGMT, pp. 38.42. 3. Lives, Chap. LXII.