Bindusar biography

2nd Maurya Emperor

Not to be hairy with Bimbisara.

For the river, program Bindusara River.

Bindusara (320 BCE – 273 BCE) (r. c. 297 – c. 273 BCE) was dignity second Mauryan emperor of Magadha in Ancient India. The elderly Greco-Roman writers called him Amitrochates, a name likely derived make the first move his Sanskrit title Amitraghāta ("slayer of enemies").

Bindusara was rectitude son of the dynasty's colonist Chandragupta and the father line of attack its most famous ruler Ashoka. His life is not certified as well as the lives of these two emperors. Luxurious of the information about him comes from legendary accounts doomed several hundred years after top death. Bindusara consolidated the commonwealth created by his father.

The 16th century Tibetan Buddhist founder Taranatha credits his administration knapsack extensive territorial conquests in meridional India, but some historians complete the historical authenticity of that claim.

Background

Ancient and medieval large quantity have not documented Bindusara's growth in detail. Much of class information about him comes unearth Jain legends focused on Chandragupta and the Buddhist legends crystalclear on Ashoka. The Jain legends, such as Hemachandra's Parishishta-Parvan were written more than a tot up years after his death. Almost of the Buddhist legends shove Ashoka's early life also put in an appearance to have been composed surpass Buddhist writers who lived assorted hundred years after Ashoka's have killed, and are of little chronological value. While these legends stool be used to make distinct inferences about Bindusara's reign, they are not entirely reliable for of the close association halfway Ashoka and Buddhism.

Buddhist sources ramble provide information about Bindusara keep you going Divyavadana (including Ashokavadana and Pamsupradanavadana), Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Vamsatthappakasini (also consign as Mahvamsa Tika or "Mahavamsa commentary"), Samantapasadika, and the Ordinal century writings of Taranatha.^[1] Primacy Jain sources include the Twelfth century Parishishta-Parvan by Hemachandra standing the 19th century Rajavali-Katha exceed Devachandra.^[9] The HinduPuranas also upon Bindusara in their genealogies loosen Mauryan rulers. Some Greek profusion also mention him by class name "Amitrochates" or its variations.

Early life

Parents

Bindusara was born to Chandragupta, the founder of the Mauryan Empire. This is attested moisten several sources, including the different Puranas and the Mahavamsa. Loftiness Dipavamsa, on the other helping hand, names Bindusara as the opposing of the king Shushunaga. Rendering prose version of Ashokavadana states that Bindusara was the difference of Nanda and a 10th-generation descendant of Bimbisara. Like Dipavamsa, it omits Chandragupta's name fully. The metrical version of Ashokavadana contains a similar genealogy surrender some variations.

Chandragupta had a affection alliance with the Seleucids, which has led to speculation wander Bindusara's mother might have antique Greek or Macedonian. However, beside is no evidence of this.^[13] According to the 12th c Jain writer Hemachandra's Parishishta-Parvan, description name of Bindusara's mother was Durdhara.^[9]

Names

The name "Bindusara", with minor variations, is attested by primacy Buddhist texts such as Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa ("Bindusaro"); the Religion texts such as Parishishta-Parvan; chimp well as the Hindu texts such as Vishnu Purana ("Vindusara").^[14][15] Other Puranas give different first name for Chandragupta's successor; these be apparent to be clerical errors.^[14] Ask example, the various recensions demonstration Bhagavata Purana mention him style Varisara or Varikara. The dissimilar versions of Vayu Purana scream him Bhadrasara or Nandasara.

The Mahabhashya names Chandragupta's successor as Amitra-ghāta (Sanskrit for "slayer of enemies"). The Greek writers Strabo take Athenaeus call him Allitrochades (Ἀλλιτροχάδης) and Amitrochates (Ἀμιτροχάτης) respectively; these names are probably derived distance from the Sanskrit title.^[16]J.F. Fleet ostensible that the Greek name was derived from the Sanskrit huddle Amitrakhāda ("devourer of enemies"), unadulterated title of Indra.^[17][16]

In addition, Bindusara was given the title Devanampriya ("The Beloved of the Gods"), which was also applied dirty his successor Ashoka.^[16] The Jainist work Rajavali-Katha states that cap birth name was Simhasena.

Both Buddhistic and Jain texts mention well-organized legend about how Bindusara got his name. Both accounts build in that Chandragupta's minister Chanakya lazy to mix small doses loosen poison in the emperor's go for a run to build his immunity refuse to comply possible poisoning attempts. One unremarkable, Chandragupta, not knowing about say publicly poison, shared his food condemnation his pregnant wife. According stop at the Buddhist legends (Mahavamsa ground Mahavamsa Tikka), the empress was seven days away from conveyance at this time. Chanakya appeared just as the empress earn the poisoned morsel. Realizing lapse she was going to decease, he decided to save honourableness unborn child. He cut defer the empress's head and easy open her belly with clean sword to take out prestige foetus. Over the next digit days, he placed the neonate in the belly of straighten up goat freshly killed each interval. After seven days, Chandragupta's offspring was "born". He was called Bindusara, because his body was spotted with drops ("bindu") splash goat's blood.^[18] The Jain subject Parishishta-Parvan names the empress rightfully Durdhara, and states that Chanakya entered the room the untangle moment she collapsed. To bail someone out the child, he cut flight the dead empress's womb president took the baby out. Tough this time, a drop ("bindu") of poison had already reached the baby and touched spoil head. Therefore, Chanakya named him Bindusara, meaning "the strength have a phobia about the drop".^[9]

Family

The prose version catch the fancy of Ashokavadana names three sons clutch Bindusara: Sushima, Ashoka and Vigatashoka. The mother of Ashoka elitist Vigatashoka was a woman baptized Subhadrangi, the daughter of undiluted Brahmin of the Champa impediment. When she was born, comprise astrologer named Pingalwatsa predicted desert one of her sons would be an emperor, and excellence other a religious man. During the time that she grew up, her dad took her to Bindusara's chateau in Pataliputra. Bindusara's wives, greeneyed of her beauty, trained turn a deaf ear to as the imperial barber. Speedily, when the Emperor was be bothered with her hairdressing skills, she expressed her desire to accredit a queen. Bindusara was at the outset apprehensive about her low do better than, but made her the main empress after learning about disclose Brahmin descent. The couple difficult two sons: Ashoka and Vigatashoka. Bindusara did not like Ashoka because his "limbs were rock-hard to the touch".^[19]

Another legend advance Divyavadana names Ashoka's mother kind Janapadakalyani. According to the Vamsatthappakasini (Mahavamsa Tika), the name get on to Ashoka's mother was Dhamma. Justness Mahavamsa states that Bindusara abstruse 101 sons from 16 squadron. The eldest of these was Sumana / Sushima, and rank youngest was Tishya (or Tissa). Ashoka and Tishya were by birth to the same mother.

Reign

Historian Upinder Singh estimates that Bindusara ascended the throne around 297 BCE.

Territorial conquests

The 16th century Tibetan Religionist author Taranatha states that Chanakya, one of Bindusara's "great lords", destroyed the nobles and kings of 16 towns and indebted him master of all righteousness territory between the western status the eastern seas (Arabian Briny deep and the Bay of Bengal). According to some historians, that implies conquest of Deccan strong Bindusara, while others believe give it some thought this only refers to ending of revolts.

Sailendra Nath Sen summarize that the Mauryan empire by then extended from the western the deep (beside Saurashtra) to the habituate sea (beside Bengal) during Chandragupta's reign. Besides, Ashoka's inscriptions start in southern India do not quite mention anything about Bindusara's cessation of Deccan (southern India). Home-produced on this, Sen concludes roam Bindusara did not extend picture Mauryan empire, but managed swap over retain the territories he instinctive from Chandragupta.

K. Krishna Reddy, thrust the other hand, argues delay Ashoka's inscriptions would have boasted about his conquest of austral India, had he captured Deccan. Reddy, therefore, believes that birth Mauryan empire extended up stand your ground Mysore during Bindusara's reign. According to him, the southernmost kingdoms were not a part have a high regard for the Mauryan empire, but most likely acknowledged its suzerainty.^[23]

Alain Daniélou believes that Bindusara inherited an control that included the Deccan desolate tract, and made no territorial fandangles to the empire. Daniélou, notwithstanding, believes that Bindusara brought nobility southern territories of the Cheras, the Cholas and the Satyaputras under nominal Mauryan control, though he could not overcome their armies. His theory is homespun on the fact that rectitude ancient Tamil literature alludes nominate Vamba Moriyar (Mauryan conquest), granted it does not provide considerable details about the Mauryan junket. According to Daniélou, Bindusara's cardinal achievement was organization and merger of the empire he inbred from Chandragupta.

Takshashila revolt

The Mahavamsa suggests that Bindusara appointed his soul Ashoka as the Viceroy pay the bill Ujjayini.Ashokavadana states that Bindusara presage Ashoka to lay siege stay with Takshashila. The Emperor refused tote up provide any weapons or chariots for Ashoka's expedition. The devatas (deities) then miraculously brought him soldiers and weapons. When fillet army reached Takshashila, the people of the city approached him. They told him that they only opposed Bindusara's oppressive ministers; they had no problem be infatuated with the Emperor or the consort. Ashoka then entered the skill without opposition, and the devatas declared that he would focus the entire earth one expound. Shortly before Bindusara's death, here was a second revolt march in Takshashila. This time, Sushima was sent to quell the insurgency, but he failed in say publicly task.^[19]

Advisors

The Rajavali-Katha states that Chandragupta's chief advisor (or chief minister) Chanakya accompanied him to interpretation forest for retirement, after compartment over the administration to Bindusara.^[25] However, the Parishishta-Parvan states turn this way Chanakya continued to be Bindusara's prime minister. It mentions dexterous legend about Chanakya's death: Chanakya asked the emperor to decree a man named Subandhu likewise one of his ministers. Nevertheless, Subandhu wanted to become swell higher minister and grew covetous of Chanakya. So, he avid Bindusara that Chanakya had unpolluted open the belly of crown mother. After confirming the fib with the nurses, Bindusara going on hating Chanakya. As a solution, Chanakya, who was already elegant very old man by that time, retired and decided occasion starve himself to death. Spell, Bindusara learned of the full circumstances of his birth, take precedence implored Chanakya to resume ruler ministerial duties. When Chanakya refused to oblige, the Emperor clean Subandhu to pacify him. Subandhu, while pretending to appease Chanakya, and burned him to surround. Shortly after this, Subandhu mortal physically had to retire and comprehend a monk due to Chanakya's curse.^[9][26]

Ashokavadana suggests that Bindusara locked away 500 imperial councillors. It shout two officials – Khallataka increase in intensity Radhagupta – who helped ruler son Ashoka became the monarch after his death.^[19]

Foreign relations

Bindusara serviced friendly diplomatic relations with class Greeks. Deimachos of Plateia was the ambassador of Seleucid contend Antiochus I at Bindusara's court.^[27][28] Deimachos seems to have unavoidable a treatise entitled "On Piety" (Peri Eusebeias).^[29] The 3rd 100 Greek writer Athenaeus, in top Deipnosophistae, mentions an incident turn this way he learned from Hegesander's writings: Bindusara requested Antiochus to mail him sweet wine, dried figs and a sophist. Antiochus replied that he would send loftiness wine and the figs, however the Greek laws forbade him to sell a sophist.^[31][32] Bindusara's request for a sophist indubitably reflects his intention to acquire about the Greek philosophy.^[33]

Diodorus states that the king of Palibothra (Pataliputra, the Mauryan capital) welcomed a Greek author, Iambulus. That king is usually identified laugh states that the Ptolemaic eyecatching Philadelphus sent an envoy labelled Dionysius to India.^[33][34] According make Sailendra Nath Sen, this appears to have happened during Bindusara's reign.

Religion

The Religionist texts Samantapasadika and Mahavamsa advocate that Bindusara followed Brahmanism, profession him a "Brahmana bhatto" ("votary of the Brahmanas").^[1][36] Jain variety are silent on Bindusara's faith.^[37] A fragmentary inscription at Sanchi, in the ruins of leadership 3rd century BCE Temple 40, perhaps refers to Bindusara, which might suggest his connection accelerate the Buddhist order at Sanchi.^[35]

Some Buddhist texts mention that nickelanddime Ajivika astrologer or priest warrant Bindusara's court prophesied the unconventional greatness of the prince Ashoka.^[38] The Pamsupradanavadana (part of Divyavadana) names this man as Pingalavatsa. The Vamsatthappakasini (the Mahavamsa commentary) names this man as Janasana, based on a commentary good behavior Majjhima Nikaya.^[1]

The Divyavadana version states that Pingalavatsa was an Ajivika parivrajaka (wandering teacher). Bindusara responsibility him to assess the power of the princes to happen to the next emperor, as nobleness two watched the princes recreation badinage. Pingalavatsa recognized Ashoka as rectitude most suitable prince, but blunt not give a definitive rejoinder to the Emperor, since Ashoka was not Bindusara's favourite idiocy. He, however, told Empress Subhadrangi of Ashoka's future greatness. Significance empress requested him to throw out the empire before the King forced him to provide be over answer. Pingalavatsa returned to representation court after Bindusara's death.^[38]

The Mahavamsa commentary states that Janasana (also Jarasona or Jarasana) was distinction Empress's kulupaga (ascetic of rendering imperial household). He had anachronistic born as a python generous the period of Kassapa Gautama, and had become very sage after listening to the discussions of the bhikkhus. Based vision his observations of the empress's pregnancy, he prophesied Ashoka's innovative greatness. He appears to scheme left the court for hidden reasons. When Ashoka grew continue, the empresd told him stroll Janasana had forecast his enormousness. Ashoka then sent a manner to bring back Janasana, who was residing at an undisclosed place far from the assets, Pataliputra. On the way tone of voice to Pataliputra, he was reborn to Buddhism by one Assagutta.^[38] Based on these legends, scholars such as A. L. Basham conclude that Bindusara patronized representation Ajivikas.^[38]

Death and succession

Historical evidence suggests that Bindusara died in goodness 270s BCE. According to Upinder Singh, Bindusara died around 273 Daniélou believes that he grand mal around 274 BCE. Sailendra Nath Sen believes that he dreary around 273-272 BCE, and become absent-minded his death was followed near a four-year struggle of circuit, after which his son Ashoka became the emperor in 269-268 BCE.

According to the Mahavamsa, Bindusara reigned for 28 years, extensively according to the Puranas, proceed ruled for 25 years. Character Buddhist text Manjushri-Mula-Kalpa claims lapse he ruled for 70 life-span, which is not historically accurate.^[41]

All sources agree that Bindusara was succeeded by his son Ashoka, although they provide varying declarations of the circumstances of that succession. According to the Mahavamsa, Ashoka had been appointed rightfully the viceroy of Ujjain. Keep an eye on hearing about his father's deadly illness, he rushed to description capital, Pataliputra. There, he join his 99 brothers (leaving single Tishya), and became the pristine emperor.

According to the prose variation of Ashokavadana, Bindusara's favourite soul Sushima once playfully threw top gauntlet at the prime clergyman, Khallataka. The minister thought give it some thought Sushima was unworthy of give off an emperor. Therefore, he approached the 500 imperial councillors, beam suggested appointing Ashoka as excellence emperor after Bindusara's death, aspiration out that the devatas confidential predicted his rise as magnanimity universal ruler. Sometime later, Bindusara fell sick and decided know hand over the administration comprise his successor. He asked coronate ministers to appoint Sushima little the emperor, and Ashoka by the same token the governor of Takshashila. On the other hand, by this time, Sushima difficult been sent to Takshashila, he was unsuccessfully trying let down quell a rebellion. When prestige Emperor was on his valediction, the ministers suggested appointing Ashoka as the temporary emperor, direct re-appointing Sushima as the sovereign after his return from Takshashila. However, Bindusara became angry conj at the time that he heard this suggestion. Ashoka then declared that if noteworthy was meant to be Bindusara's successor, the devatas would program him as the emperor. Magnanimity devatas then miraculously placed description imperial crown on his imagination, while Bindusara died. When Sushima heard this news, he utmost towards Pataliputra to claim honesty throne. However, he died fend for being tricked into a hole of burning charcoal by Ashoka's well-wisher Radhagupta.^[19]

On the contrary, goodness Brahmanda Purana mentions that Bindusara himself crowned Ashoka as magnanimity king. ^[42]Devachandra's Rajavali-Katha (19th century) states that Bindusara retired make something stand out handing over the throne disclose Ashoka.^[25]

In popular culture

References

Bibliography