Who was Bindusara?

Bindusara was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and became the second emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He ruled a long time ago, around the 3rd century BCE. Bindusara worked to keep his father’s empire strong and even made it bigger. Although he is not as famous as his father or his son Ashoka, Bindusara was an important ruler who helped the Mauryan Empire grow and stay powerful.

If you want to learn more about who Bindusara was, what he did, and why he is important in Indian history, read the blog!

Early Life of Bindusara

Bindusara was born around 320 BCE, and his father was Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Mauryan Empire. His birth name was Simhasena. Being the son of a great emperor, Bindusara grew up in a royal palace surrounded by teachers, soldiers, and ministers. His journey to the throne was marked by intrigue and ambition. Upon his ascension, he adopted the title ‘Bindusara,’ which translates to ‘Slayer of Enemies,’ a name befitting his warrior spirit.

How Bindusara Became Emperor

Chandragupta Maurya ruled for many years and created a huge empire in northern India. Around 297 BCE, Chandragupta decided to retire. He gave the throne to Bindusara, his son. Bindusara then became the emperor and ruled the Mauryan Empire for about 24 years until around 273 BCE.

He was a skilled military strategist and a capable administrator. He expanded the Mauryan Empire to include the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. He also defeated the Seleucid Empire in a war, gaining control of some territories in northwestern India.

Also Read – Samudragupta Maurya– The Indian Napolean 

How Bindusara’s Legacy Contributed to Ashoka’s Success?

His legacy played a key role in Ashoka’s success. Here are some specific ways in which his legacy contributed to Ashoka’s success:

Administration of the Empire

Bindusara is remembered for his strong administrative skills, which played a significant role in shaping the Mauryan Empire.

• He upheld and advanced the expansionist vision of his father, Chandragupta Maurya. During his rule, several new regions were brought under Mauryan control, pushing the empire’s frontiers even farther. As a result, Ashoka inherited a vast and well-established empire.
• Bindusara also oversaw an extensive bureaucratic system that helped manage the empire effectively. His skillful diplomacy maintained peaceful relations with neighboring states, strengthening internal stability. This stable political environment later enabled Ashoka to introduce and sustain his own reforms with greater ease.

Economic and Cultural Prosperity

Bindusara’s reign was a period of economic and cultural prosperity for the Mauryan Empire.

• He was a patron of the arts and sciences. He maintained a court of scholars and artists, and he supported the construction of temples and other public works. 
• He is recognized for creating a network of roads and canals that enhanced communication and facilitated trade across the empire. This provided Ashoka with a solid economic base that supported the expansion and stability of his empire.
• He built strong relations with the Hellenistic kingdoms, promoting the sharing of knowledge and cultural ideas. These interactions greatly enhanced India’s cultural legacy and significantly influenced the growth of art and literature in the Mauryan period.

The Mystery of Bindusara’s Religion

Bindusara’s religious inclinations have remained enigmatic. He also had a deep interest in religion and philosophy. While he followed Jainism, he was a tolerant ruler and thus maintained a respectful attitude towards other faiths. This created an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the empire, which was essential for Ashoka to implement his Buddhist reform and set a precedent for his later conversion to Buddhism and the propagation of Buddhist ideals.

Different Names of Bindusara

He was also known by a variety of names, each with its own unique meaning and significance.

• Amitraghata – One of his most common names is Amitraghata, which means “slayer of foes” in Sanskrit. This name was likely given to him to reflect his military prowess and his success in expanding the Mauryan Empire.

• Amitrochates – Greek writers such as Strabo and Athenaeus referred to the emperor as Amitrochates. This name is a Greek transliteration of the Sanskrit Amitraghata.

• Varisara – The Bhagavata Purana mentions him by the name Varisara or Varikara. The meaning of this name is unclear, but it is thought to be a derivation of his birth name, Simhasena.

• Bhadrasara – The Vayu Purana calls the ruler by the name Bhadrasara, which means “auspicious” or “blessed” in Sanskrit.

• Nandasara – Another name mentioned in the Vayu Purana for him is Nandasara. This name could be a reference to his relationship with his father, Chandragupta Maurya, who was a Nanda prince.

• Simhasena – The Jain work Rajavali-Katha states his birth name was Simhasena. This name means “lion army” in Sanskrit.

• Devanampriya – Like his father, he was also given the title Devanampriya, which means “Beloved of the Gods” in Sanskrit.

Also Read – Chauhan Dynasty: Origin, Rulers and Major Achievements

How Did Bindusara Die?

Bindusara ruled until around 273 BCE. The exact details of his death are not very clear, but most historians believe he died of natural causes after ruling for 24 years. After his death, his son Ashoka took over the throne and started a new chapter in the Mauryan Empire.

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