Alexander, Chanakya, Porus, Chandragupta, Ashoka and TV serials (Fact Vs Fiction)

(Written by- nimish sonar, Pune)

Background:

Chanakya existed in India around 300 BC at the same time when Alexander (from Greece ) also invaded India with the intention to rule the whole world after capturing many major countries like Persia (today's Iran), Bactria (today's Afghanistan).

Alexander's ambitions to conquer the world were shaped by his mother Olympias and his mentor Aristotle.

Aristotle's mentor was Pleto and Pleto's mentor was well-known thinker Socrates

In the same way, Chandragupta's mentor was Chanakya in India (Indica) in the era.

Recently, in Sony TV serial Porus (the king of Paurava) had traveled to Magadh king Dhananand to ask for his help against Alexander who encamped in Taxila by making friendship with Taxila king Ambhiraaj.

Dhananand agreed to help but with malicious intentions. Dhananand's mentor was Amatya Rakshas.

Dhananand was very cruel king (Some historians believe that he killed Chanakya's father when Chanakya was a child) who would use people's money in treasure for his own personal benefits.

Alexander had taken advantage of the feud between Paurav and Taxila kingdom, separated by Hydespus river (today's name: Zelum river)

The war between Alexander and Porus is well known in history as battle of Hydespus.

What's next and exciting news is below:

I heard that during the war with Alexander, Porus (Paurava king) will die in Sony TV serial Porus.

And from 14th November, they are planning to continue the story with same Chanakya actor and new name (don't know whether director/producer same or different) of serial "Chandragupta Maurya". This is I believe a new experiment in TV serials history.

What's the fact and what's the fiction?

When Porus was a king, Chandragupta Maurya was merely 14 years old.

Later, after failing to conquer India, while returning to Greece on the way Alexander dies by some illness due to endless travel and war fatigue.

Meanwhile, Porus also dies. (Some historians believe that Porus was killed by treachery/betrayal arranged by Alexander's men).

During these happenings, Chanakya sends Chandragupta in disguise in Alexander's army to know his war tactics and inform Chanakya about it.

Alexander's appointed ruler in Bactria called Selucus Niketor (second) plans to invade India again but Chanakya diplomatically takes the decision to marry Chandragupta Maurya with Selucus Niketor's daughter Helena and thus stops any further attempt from Greece to enter India.

So you can say Bindusar's step mother was Helena. Bindusar was Chandragupta's son and Samrat Ashoka was Bindusar's son.

Also in parallel happenings, after Alexander's danger fades away from India, Chandragupta is made king of most indian kingdoms strategically done by Chanakya.

Then finally Chanakya with the help of Chandragupta, defeats Magadh king Dhanannd and makes Chandragupta king of Magadha and appoints the clever right hand of Dhananand Amatya Rakshas as Chandragupta's Mantri. On Colors TV Ashoka serial, it was shown Chanakya guiding Ashoka also but it is not possible to have such long life span of Chanakya right from Porus, Chandragupta, Bindusar and Ashoka. Some historians believe that Chanakya died a natural death when Bindusar was a teen but some believe he was killed by men of Amatya Rakshas as a revenge.

This history on TV:

Doordarshan ran Chanakya serial in 90s then NDTV imagine ran Chandragupta Maurya then Colors Ashoka and now Sony TV Porus and again Chandragupta Maurya.

Purpose of writing this article:

This article is written based on my knowledge which i gathered from various Marathi/English books i have read in past on all these pre-historic era personalities and some of the above serials and Wikipedia articles. The available information is so scattered that you will find it difficult to co-relate all things together. I did that attempt to present these things in meaningful and connected manner for everyone who is interested in this part/era of the history of India.

NIMISH SONAR, (Writer) and history mythology enthusiast.

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