May 5th, 2009 
Aman The invasion of Alexander had created a feeling of consciousness of solidarity and integration, among the people of India. Soon after the retreat of Alexander, a powerful movement against the remnants of Greeks was started by the people of India headed by the Brahmans, the man of the hour was the great statesman- scholar Chanakya alias Kautilya, a brilliant product of the school of Taxila, a great seat of learning, where the ideology of a united government, with the centralized and bureaucratic structure was gaining momentum. He envisaged the plans of such government in his Arthashastra and set out to work for its realization with the chiefs and leaders of his time. Under his guidance, the young Mauryan prince Chandragupta, who had come to Taxila with him, became the center of gravity and attraction for all the forces of revolt and independence. The response to the Macedonian invasion was the establishment of the empire of Chandragupta Maurya. Foreign invasions did not won the people of India down, but urged them on to new levels of creative Endeavour regenerating the elements of unity and strength. It is said that while in exile, Chandragupta is said to have met Alexander in one of his camps in the Punjab with the intention of inducing him to advance upon Magadha. But Chandragupta’s speech offended Alexander who gave orders to kill the intrepid youth. The Mauryan lad managed to save his life by a speedy flight.
Chandragupta had the opportunities of studying from close quarters the tactics, strategy and military organization of the Greek army under Alexander, the greatest military commander of his times. He must have profited much from this and probably waited for his chance. Constantly guided and helped by greatest political master mind Chanakya he set himself to the task of liberating the North West from the foreign rule. Soon after, Alexander left India his authority retreated with him like a shadow. Unrest sprang up at many centers. The people of Kandahar rose in revolt under an Indian chief. The Assakenois killed the Greek satrap Nicanor. Philipus who as the satrap in the Upper Sindh was murdered by his mutinous soldiers. Then came the death of Alexander in 323 BC, leading to the disruption of his empire.
Chandragupta took full advantage of the situation. He gathered round him the vast mass of displaced mercenaries, infuriated rebels and upstart adventurers of the North West and organised the imperialist movement for founding an empire. It is generally held that Chandragupta had begun was of liberation, probably in Lower sindhu Valley before 321 BC. Although no details are available, we can accept it as a historical fact that the army of occupation left behind by Alexander was routed by Chandragupta and he made himself the master of the northwest.
Chandragupta’s next task was to rid the country of the internal tyranny of the Nanda rulers of Magadha. It is believed that he and his adviser Chanakya bore a great grudge against the Nanda King who had done great wrongs to both of them. Embolden by his successes in the Punjab, Chandragupta marched eastwards into Magadha. He besieged Patliputra and killed the last Nanda ruler Dhana Nanda and seized the throne of Magadha. We have no details of the conquest of Magadha. We may roughly date the accession of Chandragupta at about 321 BC. The astute diplomacy of Chanakya played no less important part in it than the bravery and military skill of Chandragupta.
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