Bindusara
Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, is often sandwiched between two more famous personalities—his father Chandragupta and son Ashoka—but he had a distinct role in expanding the Mauryan Empire.
👑 Identity & Foreign Contact
- Greek writers referred to him as Amitraghata — “slayer of enemies.”
- He expanded the empire southwards up to Mysore, stopping short of:
- Cholas
- Pandyas
- Cheras
- Kalinga (which Ashoka would later conquer)
🌍 Diplomatic Relations
- He received an ambassador named Deimachus from Antiochus I of Syria.
- In a friendly gesture, Bindusara requested:
- Sweet wine
- Dried figs
- A Sophist (Greek philosopher-debater)
- Antiochus sent everything except the sophist, citing Greek law restrictions.
🧘 Religious Inclination
- Bindusara is said to have supported the Ajivika sect, a heterodox tradition distinct from Buddhism and Jainism.