From Vow to Empire: The Rise of Chandragupta Maurya and Chanakya's Vision

• After Alexander's death, India faced instability; Chanakya vowed to overthrow the Nanda dynasty after being insulted by King Dhana Nanda.
• Chanakya discovered young Chandragupta, a natural leader, and trained him rigorously in warfare, economics, and politics at Taxila.
• Chandragupta learned strategic warfare, conquering borders first, then the center, a lesson from a woman's advice on eating kheer.
• He defeated Greek rulers in Punjab, then, with Chanakya's diplomatic maneuvers, overthrew the Nanda dynasty around 321 BCE, establishing the Mauryan Empire.
• Chandragupta expanded the empire, defeating Seleucus Nicator, and later renounced power to embrace Jainism, leaving a legacy of India's first great empire.