Rakshasa | |
---|---|
First appearance | Mudrarakshasa |
Created by | Vishakhadatta |
In-universe information | |
Title | Amatya |
Occupation | Prime Minister |
Rakshasa is a character in the ancient Indian Sanskrit-language play Mudrarakshasa . In the play, he holds the post of Amatya (prime minister) in the Nanda and Maurya courts of Magadha. Originally a minister of the Nanda king, he escapes during Chandragupta Maurya's conquest of the Nanda empire. He then makes several attempts to overthrow Chandragupta, but each time, he is outsmarted by Chandragupta's advisor Chanakya. Finally, he agrees to give up the resistance, and accepts the post of amatya in the Maurya court. [1] [2]
Rakshasa appears in Vishakhadatta's play Mudrarakshasa. [3]
In the Mudrarakshasa, Chanakya feels insulted by the Nanda king and overthrows him with help of his protege Chandragupta and another powerful king Parvateshvara (or Parvata). [4] Nanda's prime minister Rakshasa escapes the royal capital Pataliputra and makes several attempts to overthrow Chandragupta. For example, he sends a vishakanya (poison girl) to assassinate Chandragupta. Chanakya makes this girl assassinate Parvata instead, with the blame going to Rakshasa. Parvata's son Malayaketu learns the truth about his father's death, and allies with Rakshasa. [5] On another occasion, Rakshasa arranges for assassins to be transported to Chandragupta's bedroom via a tunnel. Chanakya notices a trail of ants carrying the leftovers of their food and has them burned to death. [6]
For the task of getting Chandragupta Maurya killed, Amatya Rakshasa made an alliance with some of Chandragupta's enemies. [7]
Rakshasa failed several times in his plan to get Chandragupta killed. [8] He tried having some kings attack Pataliputra, the Maurya capital, but the plan failed due to Chanakya's intelligent tactics.
Meanwhile, Chanakya knew that it was dangerous for a clever leader like Amatya Rakshasa to hold a grudge against the king. [9] Soon, Chanakya made plans to capture Amatya Rakshasa by luring him to return to Magadha. Chanakya spread rumors among certain people in Magadha, thanks to which he arrested one of Amatya Rakshas's associates. Chanakya knew that Amatya Rakshasa would come searching for his associate or try to free him. [10]
Rakshasa was tracked and captured finally by Chanakya, as per his plan. [11] [12] [10] Chanakya told Rakshasa about his plan to make him the prime minister of Chandragupta's empire as Rakshasa had diligence and patriotism towards Magadha. [12] [13] Chanakya knew very well about Rakshas' efficient administrative skills and diplomatic tactics. Chanakya asked Rakshasa to become the Principal Amatya (Maha Amatya) of the Mauryan empire and to serve the kingdom with the same diligence and faithfulness he showed during the Nanda rule. [13] Rakshasa was initially reluctant to do so. Chanakya convinced Rakshasa to become the Maha Amatya as he would be an extraordinary royal advisor. [14] Finally, Amatya Rakshasa agreed to Chanakya for the benefit of Magadha. [15] [16] [17] Amatya Rakshasa then realized Chanakya's dignity and overcame his enmity with him. [18] [19] [20]
The Magadhan Empire was an ancient Indian empire that succeeded the Magadha Mahajanapada. It was established by Bimbisara in 544 BC. It was ruled by the Haryankas, the Shaishunagas, the Nandas, the Mauryas, the Śungas, the Kanvas and the Guptas.
Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the Maurya Empire, which ruled over a geographically-extensive empire based in Magadha. He reigned from 320 BCE to 298 BCE. The Magadha kingdom expanded to become an empire that reached its peak under the reign of his grandson, Ashoka the Great, from 268 BCE to 231 BCE. The nature of the political formation that existed in Chandragupta's time is not certain. The Mauryan empire was a loose-knit one with large autonomous regions within its limits.
Chanakya was an ancient Indian polymath who was active as a teacher, author, strategist, philosopher, economist, jurist, and politician. He is traditionally identified as Kauṭilya or Viṣṇugupta, who authored the ancient Indian political treatise, the Arthashastra, a text dated to roughly between the fourth century BCE and the third century CE. As such, he is considered the pioneer of the field of political science and economics in India, and his work is thought of as an important precursor to classical economics. His works were lost near the end of the Gupta Empire in the sixth century CE and not rediscovered until the early 20th century. Around 321 BCE, Chanakya assisted the first Mauryan emperor Chandragupta in his rise to power and is widely credited for having played an important role in the establishment of the Maurya Empire. Chanakya served as the chief advisor and Prime Minister of the both emperors Chandragupta Maurya and his son Bindusara.
Bindusara was the second Mauryan emperor of Magadha in Ancient India. The ancient Greco-Roman writers called him Amitrochates, a name likely derived from his Sanskrit title Amitraghāta.
The Maurya Empire was a geographically extensive Iron Age historical power in South Asia based in Magadha. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 322 BCE, it existed in loose-knit fashion until 185 BCE. The empire was centralized by the conquest of the Indo-Gangetic Plain; its capital city was located at Pataliputra. Outside this imperial centre, the empire's geographical extent was dependent on the loyalty of military commanders who controlled the armed cities scattered within it. During Ashoka's rule, the empire briefly controlled the major urban hubs and arteries of the subcontinent excepting the deep south. It declined for about 50 years after Ashoka's rule, and dissolved in 185 BCE with the assassination of Brihadratha by Pushyamitra Shunga and foundation of the Shunga dynasty in Magadha.
The Nanda dynasty ruled the Magadhan Empire, an ancient Indian empire during the fourth century BCE and possibly also during the fifth. The Nandas overthrew the Shaishunaga dynasty and expanded the empire to include a larger part of northern India. Ancient sources differ considerably regarding the names of the Nanda kings and the duration of their rule, but based on the Buddhist tradition recorded in the Mahāvaṃsa, they appear to have ruled during c. 345–322 BCE, although some theories date the start of their rule to the fifth century BCE.
The Shishunaga dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadhan Empire, an empire in ancient India. According to the Hindu Puranas, this dynasty was the second ruling dynasty of Magadha, succeeding Nagadashaka of the Haryanka dynasty.
Dhana Nanda, according to the Buddhist text Mahabodhivamsa, was the last Nanda king of Magadha.
The Mudrārākshasa is a Sanskrit-language play by Vishakhadatta that narrates the ascent of the king Chandragupta Maurya to power in India. The play is an example of creative writing, but not entirely fictional. It is dated variously from the late 4th century to the 8th century CE.
Chanakya is a 47-part drama epic Indian television historical drama written and directed by Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi that was originally telecasted on DD National from 8 September 1991 to 9 August 1992. Produced by Prakash Dwivedi, the series is a fictionalized account of the life and times of 4th century BCE Indian economist, strategist and political theorist Chanakya and is based on events occurring between 340 BCE and 321/20 BCE, starting with Chanakya's boyhood and culminating in the coronation of Chandragupta Maurya. Chandraprakash Dwivedi played the title role of Chanakya.
Chandragupta is a board wargame designed by Stephen R. Welch and released in 2008 by GMT Games as part of the Great Battles of History (GBoH) series of games on ancient warfare. Chandragupta simulates battles fought by the Mauryan Dynasty in ancient India, and in so doing, attempts to illuminate the features, challenges, and unique attributes of the Indian military system and culture during this period.
The Nanda–Mauryan War was a war fought in ancient India from c. 323 BCE to 321 BCE between the King Dhana Nanda of the Nanda dynasty and forces of Chandragupta Maurya that led to the establishment of the Maurya Empire in Magadha. Little is known from historical sources for certain dating about the conflict. According to Mudrarakshasa legends, Chandragupta's army included Bahlika, Kirata, Parasika, Kamboja, Saka, and Greek mercenaries. The army invaded capital city Pataliputra (Kusumapura) after regaining power and defeated the Nandas.
Chanakya Chandragupta is a 1977 Indian Telugu-language historical drama film produced and directed by N. T. Rama Rao under the banner of Ramakrishna Cine Studios. The film features Akkineni Nageswara Rao, N. T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan, Jayapradha, Manjula and Kaikala Satyanarayana in prominent roles, with music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao.
Chandragupta Maurya is an Indian Historical drama series being broadcast on Dangal TV, based on the life of Chandragupta Maurya, an Indian emperor of ancient India and the founder of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta Maurya was first aired in March 2011 on Imagine TV. Ashish Sharma played the adult and Rushiraj Pawar played the young Chandragupta Maurya.
Chandragupta is the last history play by Dwijendralal Ray, written in 1911. The play, set in ancient kingdom of Magadha, recounts how Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his faithful minister Chanakya, ascended the throne of Magadha by defeating and subsequently killing his half-brother Nanda. It is one of the most popular plays by Ray. The story of the play is loosely borrowed from the Puranas and the Greek history.
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