Chandragupta Maurya

Sham S. Misri

There was once a village boy called Chandragupta. His father had died and his mother Mura was poor. She had no money either to feed him or send him to school. A cowherd of the village took pity on the boy. He took care of him for a while. Later a hunter brought up the boy. The village boys admired Chandragupta, because he was strong and clever. His favorite game was to play king.

He would call all the boys together and say, “I am the king; you are my subjects. You have to follow me!"

At" that time, there lived a learned Brahmin called Chanakya.

He was so clever that kings came to him for advice. One day Chanakya was passing through this village.

He saw Chandragupta playing king. He watched him for some time. He was struck by the boy's ways. He said to the boy, "Will you come with me? I will teach you how to become a real king?"

The boy said, “Yes.” Chanakya took him to his own house.

Chanakya taught the boy all that kings should know.

‘In a few years he made Chandragupta a great warrior.

Chandragupta fought and won many battles, and drove away all enemies from the country.

He captured many kingdoms and became a great king. He ruled most parts of India from his capital, Patliputra.

He was the first great king to unite India into one big country