- Chandragupta (CG) defeated Dhanananda due to active support of Vishnugupta (VG)
- Vishnugupta also called Kautilya or Chanakya
- political mechanization dev by Kautilya against the Nanda ruler is mentioned in Mudrarakshasa by Visakhadatta
- Arthashastra by VG is a book of statecraft
- Indica by Megasthanese provides details of Maurya society
- in 303BC, CG fought w/ Greek ambassador of Alexander, Seleukos Nikator
- once again, w/ support of VG, CG was successful
- after defeat of Nikator, treaty signed
- area to west of Indus river w/ CG
- Nikator also gave hand of his daughter Helena to CG
- CG accepted greek ambassador Megasthanese in his court
- CG accepted Jain faith under guidance of Bhadrabahu
- severe famine in Magadha due to which CG shifted to place called Sharavana Belgola in Karnatka
- under influence of Bhadrabahu, he performed extreme Jain penance Sallekhana and ended his life by fasting till death
- after death, his son Bindusar (299-273BC) came to power