298 BC: Bindusara becomes the new king of Mauryan Empire
[298 BC - 273 BC]
After ruling for about twenty five years, Chandragupta left his throne
to his son Bindusara and became a Jain ascetic. Bindusara inherited an
empire including the Hindukush, Narmada, Vindhyas, Mysore, Bihar,
Bengal, Orissa, Assam, Baluchistan & Afghanistan. He was called
Amitraghata which means "slayer of foes" by Greek writers.
Bindusara's Empire
Bindusara extended his empire further as far as south Mysore. He
conquered sixteen states and extended the empire from sea to sea. The
empire included the whole of India except the region of Kalinga
(modern Orissa) and the Dravidian kingdoms of the south. The
Dravidians kingdoms of the Cholas, Pandyas and Cheras were very
friendly with the Mauryan empire and so the king felt no need to
conquer them. However, Kalinga was not friendly with the Mauryans and
so a war was fought between the people of Kalinga and Mauryans led by
Bindusara's son Ashoka.
Administration during Bindusara's Reign
Bindusara maintained good relations with Selucus Nicator and the
emperors regularly exchanged ambassadors and presents. He also
maintained the friendly relations with the Hellenic West established
by his father. Ambassadors from Syria and Egypt lived at Bindusara's
court. He preferred the Ajivika philosophy rather than Jainism.