Comparison of the Expansion Policies of Chandragupta Maurya & Alexander The Great

 ABSTRACT

 Given that they were the first emperors to unite multiple realms into a single realm, Alexander the Great and Chandragupta Maurya were responsible for the establishment of one of the largest empires the world has ever seen.In this paper, their expansion strategies, as well as the ways in which those strategies have changed over time, are analyzed. In order to accomplish this goal, the objective of this essay is to compare and contrast the strategies and armies of Chandragupta Maurya and Alexander the Great in terms of the ways in which they were similar to and different from one another. 

Keywords

Alexander, Chandragupta Maurya, Magadha, expansion policy, cavalry, conquer.

INTRODUCTION

 The authors did some research into the expansion strategies of Chandragupta Maurya and Alexander the Great and collected secondary data. In this article, the authors will discuss Chandragupta Maurya's and Alexander the Great's approaches to territorial expansion. The authors have also discussed their early lives and how they began their journey in expanding their empire. This will help in understanding how the rulers managed to expand each of their empires to cover a significant portion of the world's landmass. These two emperors were the first to establish a structured army, which meant that the work was distributed among the soldiers while they retained control of the situation. In addition to that, the power of both their armies and their cavalries has been described. In this study, we will take a close look at the individuals who played a significant role in shaping the policies of these rulers.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.  Were there similarities in Alexander and Chandragupta Maurya’s expansion policies?
2.  How did their expansion policies change over time?

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

 The objectives of this research paper are to compare the expansion policies of Alexander and Chandragupta Maurya, to discuss the similarities and differences of the armies of Chandragupta Maurya and Alexander.

HYPOTHESIS

 Based on prior knowledge, the authors theory is that the expansion policies of both Chandragupta Maurya as well as Alexander shared similarities and used similar methods to expand their empire. Considering the fact that both rulers conquered large sections of the world, their expansion policies would have changed over time as they had access to more resources and a larger cavalry.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

The authors collected secondary data from various sources such as websites, articles, journal articles, encyclopedias as well as documentaries. The authors then compiled the information and presented it.

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

 From the “World History Encyclopedia”, the article of “CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA (2019)”studies about a crucial figure in India's history that is Chandragupta Maurya. The study has discussed how Chandragupta covered Most of South Asia which were governed by minor nations prior to his consolidation of power, while the Nanda Dynasty dominated the Gangetic Plains. It also talked about how by the end of his reign, Chandragupta had completely ruled and conquered most of the Indian subcontinent,stretching his empire from Bengal and Assam to Afghanistan and Baluchistan in the east to eastern and south-eastern Iran in the west.to Kashmir, in the north, and in the south, the Deccan Plateau.

In the Documentary of “Alexander The Great (2017)” It follows the remarkable journey of the Macedonian monarch as he sets out to conquer the Persian Empire, the largest empire in antiquity, in its entirety. Alexander overcomes Darius III and ascends to the throne of Persia with spectacular triumphs at the Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela. But in order to conquer the easternmost regions of the empire and travel to the edge of the known globe, he must first travel through contemporary Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India's frontier, where he will engage the Indian monarch Porus in combat at the Hydaspes. This is a comprehensive account of Alexander's conquests, which took place over a ten-year period of great drama and historical significance as the young Macedonian king's astounding accomplishments ushered in the Hellenistic Age, a new epoch in the history of Europe and the Middle East.

ALEXANDER

Ancient Greece

 This harsh land saw notable advancements in art, philosophy, and warfare for around 500 B.C. Athens, a naval power where democracy, art, theatrics, and philosophy thrived, and Sparta, an austere, militarized society renowned for its powerful army, were its two greatest city states.

Cultured Greeks had long disregarded the mountainous empire of Macedonia as a backwater because Hicksville bore little resemblance to anything Greek. King Phillip II introduced the Sarissa, an 18-foot pike twice as long as a typical Greek spear and used by qualified infantry battling in close formation, or a phalanx, which is probably his most well-known change. As a result, Macedonia developed into a strong military force.

Alexander, his brilliant and resourceful son and a pupil of the philosopher Aristotle, took over as his successor at age 20, in addition to being a veteran military leader. Alexander continued his ambitious father's plan to conquer Persia, but he first had to establish his own dynasty. Before bringing an end to rebellions in Illyria, Thessaly, and central Greece, he executed perceived enemies at home. He destroyed the ancient city of Thebes and imprisoned its citizens as a special illustration. In the spring of 334 BC, Alexander led his army into Asia Minor as he got ready to wage a war against the Persian Empire. The start of one of the most important military battles in history.

There were about forty thousand soldiers in Alexander's army, who came from all over Greece. The seasoned Macedonian general Parmenion oversaw the infantry. Nine thousand Macedonian phalangists in the front, each carrying an 18-foot Sarissa. These were trained, disciplined, professional soldiers who lined up in a sixteen-rank phalanx in readiness for battle. This tightly packed formation, which formed a solid wall of iron spear tips, was nearly impregnable. However, it was also challenging to maneuver and extremely vulnerable to attacks from the sides or back. In order to protect its flanks, three thousand elite infantry known as Hypaspists, also known as "shield-bearers," were stationed there, five thousand hired mercenaries who had served as hoplites and seven thousand Greek allies made up Alexander's army's second line. They were known by their large round shield, the Huolon, and their shorter 8-foot spheres.

Although less effective than the Macedonian phalanx, a hoplite phalanx was nevertheless well-armed and well-armored for its time. The Agrianes, skilled javelin throwers from what is now southern Bulgaria, were the army's top skirmishers. Other skirmishers from Thrace and Illyria had bows, slings, and javelins as weapons. The eighteen hundred elite horsemen of the companion cavalry, armed with a sphere and a sword, served as Alexander's Army's foot soldiers.

The Persian Empire was still a country of tremendous riches and power; yet, it was already mobilizing its vast resources to meet Alexander. If Alexander was to conquer this empire and earn his place in history, he would then have to face Darius, King of Kings. Now, as Alexander drew near Sardis, the Persian province of Lydia's capital, its commander submitted without a struggle. Alexander continued his push into Lycia and Phrygia in the spring of 333 BC. 

He was shown the fabled "Gordian Knot" in Gordium; according to a prophecy, whoever managed to unravel it would control all of Asia. Simply taking his sword, Alexander cut it in half.

Alexander's troops entered the Persian empire by fording the Hellespont.

Alexander achieved a surprising victory at the Battle of Issus, and he next focused on conquering the Persian empire's western provinces. The Phoenician coastal cities succumbed to Alexander the following year. Gaza was also captured by a blockade. Alexander kept going until he reached Pelusium in the Nile delta, where the Persian governor of Egypt handed up the entire province and the royal treasury to Alexander.

Alexander moved towards the Persian interior in search of a decisive confrontation with Darius.

He received a letter from the Persian monarch giving him half of his empire, a large sum of gold, his daughter in marriage, in exchange for peace. However, Alexander's astonishing triumphs, together with all the prophecies and applause, had now persuaded him that his destiny was to control the entire planet. He declined the offer from the Persian monarch. He intended to conquer the entire empire, not just a portion of it.

Alexander won the battle of Gaugamela with a spectacular triumph.

He took the time to set up his enormous new Empire. While retaining a number of Persians with sword loyalty in their positions, Alexander appointed viceroys to administer the provinces on his behalf. He then started his March east again.

Most of the Macedonian soldiers had not visited their homes in years, and by this point, many were disgruntled with Alexander for seeming intent on endless conquest. He'd started to adopt the customs and rituals of their vanquished Persian adversary, which they considered effeminate and decadent.

He was still regarded as a brilliant, fearless, and daring military leader. His ten-year campaign led to the creation of one of the ten largest empires ever known, spanning from Pakistan to Greece. But it was enormous and shaky, held together only by his own genius and reputation. Alexander didn't make any plans for his successor, and his generals soon got into a political battle to establish their own empires. 

CHANDRAGUPTA MAURYA

 As the first emperor to unite India into a single kingdom, Chandragupta Maurya (340 BC–298 BC) founded the Mauryan Empire. Between 322 BC and his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his son Bindusara in 298 BC, he held the throne. 

Chandragupta was a student of Chanakya. He was born to a Shudra woman. Chandragupta, though born near Patna (Bihar) in Magadha, was taken by Chanakya for his training and education to Taxila, a town in what is now northern Pakistan. There he studied for eight years.

 Chandragupta's ancestry, birth year and family as well as early life are unclear. 

The Greek and Latin literature phonetically transcribes Chandragupta referring to him with the names " Sandrokottos" or "Androcottus".

The Greek sources are the oldest recorded versions available, and mention his rise in 322/321 BCE after Alexander the Great ended his campaign in early 324 BCE. These sources state Chandragupta to be of non-princely and non- warrior ancestry. 

Buddhist scriptures from many years later assert that Chandragupta and his grandson Ashoka both came from noble ancestry. According to some traditions, he descended from the same Sakya family as the Buddha, and his name Moriya (also known as Maurya or Mayura in Sanskrit) is derived from the Pali word Mora, which means peacock.

 After Chandragupta finished his studies in Taxila, he and his mentor Chanakya started building an army. 

By 324 BCE, Alexander and the Greeks decided to stop their future expansionary efforts and started to return to Greece, leaving behind new Greek governors and local tyrants in portions of the Indian subcontinent.

 Despite the fact that there was no shortage of soldiers, Chandragupta and Chanakya opted to form alliances with the local kings and raise a small mercenary army instead. Chanakya also recognised potential for future leadership. 

Chandragupta deployed his men, challenged the weakening Greco-Macedonian authority, and achieved victories over the local kingdoms, or what was left of them, using the post-Macedonian invasion area of north-west India as an ideal base due to its chaotic conditions and the absence of political and military opposition. Later, he took over most of central India before making his final move against the Magadha heartland.

 Around 323 BCE, the Nanda Dynasty led by Dhana Nanda governed Magadha.
 Chandragupta restored the dhamma by conquering with the aid of Chanakya's Council.
 Chandragupta and Chanakya initially constructed alliances and a powerful army of their own to topple the Nanda Dynasty.

 Chandragupta formed an alliance with Parvataka, a ruler of the Himalayas. 

A series of conflicts ultimately led to the siege of the capital city Patliputra and the conquering of the Nanda Empire around 322 BCE after which he was able to defeat Bhadrachala and Dhana Nanda. Chandragupta implemented Chanakya's statecraft techniques after the Nanda Dynasty fell and gained control of the Gangetic plains' riches.

 Once Pataliputra was taken captive, Chandragupta was crowned king. They agreed to the exile of the king Nanda.

 Chanakya then began to consolidate the power by getting rid of Nanda's supporters who had been intimidating people around the realm. The realm was soon free of rebels.

 After Alexander's demise in 323 BCE, Chandragupta started establishing his empire in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day Pakistan). He did this by assassinating Alexander's generals.
 Seleucus I Nicator, a Macedonian general of Alexander, reconquered the majority of his previous kingdom in Asia and created the Seleucid Kingdom with Babylon as its capital in 312 BCE. In 305 BCE, he engaged Chandragupta in battle.

 Chandragupta used this as an opportunity to invade and kill two Macedonian satrapies, Nicanor of Parthia and Philip, son of Machatas, while Seleucus was occupied on the western borders. Following his loss, Chandragupta made a peace agreement with Seleucus, agreeing to give him 500 war elephants in exchange for Punjab.

 After feeling safe in his position as emperor, Chandragupta put his focus on expanding his dominions. In particular, the contemporary state of Karnataka, the Mauryan army were able to reach the western and southern beaches of India. He reportedly captured the entire country with a force of 600,000, according to Plutarch. The Mauryan empire ruled over what are now the states of Bihar, a sizable piece of Orissa, and Bengal during this time, in addition to western and northwestern India, the Deccan, and other areas. 

The army of the state was sizable. The military (maula) was armed and equipped by the government . The military strength of numerous villages and forest tribes (atavika) was well known and respected. Corporate guilds of warriors (shreni) and mercenaries (bhrita), who were recruited as needed, were also common. The army was composed of four arms (chaturanga): infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants. A 30-person war office composed of six boards oversaw these numerous military units, the navy, and the transport. According to reports, Chandragupta had 9,000 elephants, 30,000 cavalry, and 600,000 soldiers. 8,000 chariots were thought to be present.They were all placed in formation (vyuha) on the field of battle as determined by the commanders based on elements including the geography and the make-up of their own and the enemy's forces.

 Pataliputra was estimated by Megasthenes to be 9 miles long and roughly 2 miles wide. Chandragupta's palace was filled with expensive and showy items of every description. He practically lived in seclusion inside his castle for 24 years, spending all of his time working to expand the Empire with very little exposure to the outside world.

 He was able to grow his empire westward and take control of all of Northern India. Megasthenes reported that Chandragupta's army consisted of 600,000 foot soldiers, 30000 horses, and 19000 combatants. 

Chandragupta launched an invasion of the southern part of the Indian subcontinent after seizing control of all of Northern India. Battle after battle, Mauryan soldiers absorbed the majority of the autonomous Indian states, and in 300 BCE, the Mauryan Empire's limits finally reached the Deccan Plateau. 
For the benefit of his son Bindusara, who succeeded his father as the second Mauryan Emperor, Chandragupta voluntarily abdicated the throne in 298 BCE. 

Chandragupta allegedly converted to Jainism and became an ascetic. According to Jain tradition, Chandragupta went to the south and adhered to Jain philosophy. 

In a cave, he starved himself to death. This occurrence allegedly occurred in ShravanaBelagola, one of the most significant jain pilgrimage sites, which is a city 150 kilometers from Bangalore. 

ANALYSIS

 Both Alexander and Chandragupta Maurya had people who influenced their expansion policies. Chandragupta Maurya's policies were made by Chanakya, he then implemented these policies. Chandragupta Maurya after conquering Magadha, began to give back to the people of his kingdom. He made reservoirs to improve the water irrigation system and built roads for trade. 

Alexander, who succeeded his fathers throne, followed his fathers policy. Alexander's main priority was to expand his empire. After returning to Persia Alexander was accused of executing a number of governors. He did eventually take the feelings of his soldiers into consideration and started his journey back home. We can thus see a difference in their values, beliefs and policies. 

By the end of his reign, Chandragupta had almost completely conquered and ruled the Indian subcontinent. Alexander had managed to conquer the land from Greece to Pakistan in the span of ten years.

CONCLUSION

 Although both rulers had used different expansion policies they were able to conquer a large part of the globe. We observe that over the period of their reign, both kings grew their armies and cavalry, thus strengthening each of their empires. The different policies used can be a result of who influenced these policies. While Chankaya played a major role in the formation of Chandragupta Maurya's policies, Alexander followed his fathers expansion policy and was largely influenced by Aristotle. 

While both rulers had a large cavalry we can understand that their expansion policies were not the same. This may be a result of the ideas and morals thought to them by their teachers. Therefore, we can come to the conclusion that our hypothesis stating that the expansion policies of both rulers changed over time is correct.