Bindusara

Bindusara Biography

Bindusara was the second emperor of the Maurya Empire. He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire and the first emperor of unified India as one state. Chandragupta’s empire was an efficient and highly organised bureaucratic structure with a large civil service, mainly organized by Chanakya’s work on politics, the Arthashastra and his kingdom extended from Pakistan in the north to Deccan Plateau in the south.

When Chandragupta Maurya accepted Jainism, he abdicated his throne in favour of his son Bindusara and moved towards the south and lived a saint’s life thereafter till he ended his life through sallekhana. Ashoka - the great emperor and preacher of Jainism was his elder son. His eldest son Susima was also an administrator and viceroy of Taxila, who was killed by Ashoka to achieve power.

Bindusara was born to first Mauryan Emperor, Chandragupta Maurya, and his Empress-Consort, Durdhara. His birth name was Simhasena. According to legends, Chanakya used to feed Chandragupta Maurya small amount of poison to increase his immunity, to avoid the threat of being killed by poisoning by enemies, without his knowledge. Without knowing this matter, once Maurya gave his food to his consort who was pregnant by 9 months and she collapsed very soon due to poisoning. At the moment Chanakya reached there, cut the queen’s womb and took the kid who was only 7 days away from birth. By that time poison had already reached his forehead giving a blue mark on his forehead. Thus he was given the name, Bindusara.

Like his father, Bindusara too was a great warrior who fought several wars. But little is accounted about his life in Jain books. He was able to extend his power to South territories also (Karnataka) and he maintained good relations with Egypt and West Hellenic World. He was inclined towards Ajvika, a much older religion than Jainism. In his huge empire there were internal revolts from Taxila province, where his son Susima failed in administration. Bindusara meditated during his last phase of life and left food for 12 days. He died in 273 BC aged only 47.  

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Updated: September 24, 2017