The information available on Bindusara is not vast and does not delve too deeply into him as a man or a leader. Bindusara reigned from 298 BC to 272 BC. He was the second to hold the throne of the Mauryan Empire. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, who ruled for twenty-five years (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014). During his father’s reign, the Mauryan Empire dominated northern India and a portion of what is now Afghanistan. Under Bindusara’s reign, the empire extended into southern India (Rickard, 2010).
Bindusara is noted by Greek sources as Amitrochates, or slayer of foes. This implies that during his reign he is assumed to have been a part of some type of warfare (Rickard, 2010). Much of his legacy revolves around his ability to keep intact the empire that he inherited without resorting to any aggressive tactics to acquire new dominions (Sen, 1999). Bindusara was also able to maintain friendly relations with Hellenistic powers established by his father. Some of this was in part to him being ministered to by Chanakya, the famous minister that also ministered to his father during his reign.
Bindusara was known for being more interested in Ajivikas than Buddhism. Ajivikas were an ancient Indian sect that believed in karma, fatalism and passivity. This sect was popular during his reign, before the founding of Buddhism. After his death, his sons were embattled in a war of succession for the throne. This led to years of conflict with his son, Ashoka eventually emerging as the successor (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014)
References
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014) Bindusara. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65631/Bindusara
Rickard, J. (2010). Bindusara, fl. 293-273 BC. Retrieved from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_bindusara.html
Sen, S. (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International Publishers
Image from http://www.indiaonline.in/About/Personalities/HistoricalHeroes/Historical-Heroes-B.html
Bindusara is noted by Greek sources as Amitrochates, or slayer of foes. This implies that during his reign he is assumed to have been a part of some type of warfare (Rickard, 2010). Much of his legacy revolves around his ability to keep intact the empire that he inherited without resorting to any aggressive tactics to acquire new dominions (Sen, 1999). Bindusara was also able to maintain friendly relations with Hellenistic powers established by his father. Some of this was in part to him being ministered to by Chanakya, the famous minister that also ministered to his father during his reign.
Bindusara was known for being more interested in Ajivikas than Buddhism. Ajivikas were an ancient Indian sect that believed in karma, fatalism and passivity. This sect was popular during his reign, before the founding of Buddhism. After his death, his sons were embattled in a war of succession for the throne. This led to years of conflict with his son, Ashoka eventually emerging as the successor (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2014)
References
Encyclopedia Britannica. (2014) Bindusara. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/65631/Bindusara
Rickard, J. (2010). Bindusara, fl. 293-273 BC. Retrieved from http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_bindusara.html
Sen, S. (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International Publishers
Image from http://www.indiaonline.in/About/Personalities/HistoricalHeroes/Historical-Heroes-B.html