Kunala

Kunala Biography

Kunala was the apparent heir to the Mauryan Empire after the rule of Ashoka who lost his power to claim his power following blindness. He was the son of Emperor Ashoka and Queen Padmavati who was to rule the country after the departure of apparent heir Mahendra as monk. He was made unfit for the emperor post following a conspiracy. Thus the power was handed over to Dasharatha who ruled the empire for 8 years. However he was able to claim the throne for his son Samprati who ruled for 53 years and ruled both Pataliputra and Ujjain. Kunala’s wife’s name was Kanchanamala

Kunala belonged to 3^rd Century BE. He lost his mother a few months after his birth and he was brought up by Ashoka's consort Asandhimitra who loved him like her son. At the age of 8, he was send to Ujjain by Ashoka to carry out his princely education and groom him as a warrior. He was supposed to be the heir of the throne following Mahendra’s departure. But he was blinded by one of Ashoka's wives, Tishyaraksha, as a part of conspiracy. Thus Ashoka announced Dasharatha Maurya as his heir. Another story also circulates, connecting to a sealed letter by Ashoka which one of his queens made manipulations.

After losing the claim to the throne, Kunala along with his family moved to Ujjain where Samprati was brought up. After years he approached Ashoka's court in an attempt to claim the throne, he promised Samprati to be heir apparent after Dasharatha, as he was not willing to hand over the power to his blind son. Samprati was a new born baby then. As promised, Samprati received the throne. He ruled almost the entire present-day Indian subcontinent.

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Updated: December 24, 2015