Stories of Its Strategy

Chandragupta’s mission of liberating his country from Greek rule was complete.

Now, his mission in life, with the help of his guru Chanakya was to liberate other parts of country beyond Beas river, from the clutches of Nanda Empire.

Unfortunately, there is not much evidence available on this very important chapter of Chandragupta’s life.

There is, however, evidence available to show that this event created a widespread sensation & aroused popular interest. It passed into folklore & legends.

It seems that after liberating the NW parts of India from Greeks, Chanakya & Chandragupta started the invasion of Nanda empire, by invading the regions on the frontiers ( āntojanapadam pavisitvā) and plundering their villages ( rajjam ichchhanto).

Chandragupta’s movement was from the frontiers to the interior of India, from NW of India to Pataliputra ( modern Patna). However, he made mistakes in his strategy.

A famous story of what the mistake was is related here.

” In one of these villages a woman, whose house Chandragupta’s spy had sought refuge, baked a ‘roti’ or flat bread and gave it to her child.

” He leaving the edges, ate only the centre, thus burning his mouth ( since centre is hotter then edges), and asked for another roti.

The mother said : ‘ This boy’s conduct is just like Chandragupta’s attack on Nandas ! The boy said , ‘ Why mother, what am I doing and What has Chandragupta done’ ?

‘ Thou my dear, throwing the outside of the cake and eating the middle part only, when the middle part is hotter then the edges’ !

So Chandragupta, in his ambition to be a monarch, without beginning from the from the frontiers, and taking the towns in the heart of enemy country, without caring for the boundaries, and his army was thus surrounded and destroyed ( Mahavamsa Tika)

Next, Chandragupta tried another strategy. He commenced his operations from the frontiers ( puchchantato patthāya) & conquered many regions ; but his mistake was not to post garrisons to hold his conquests.

The result was that, people in his rear of his advance were free to combine, to encircle his army, and defeat his designs. Then the proper strategy dawned on him.

He had garrisons stationed at regions as they were conquered ( ugghahitanyā balam samvidhāya) and crossing the frontiers of Magadha with his victorious army, besieged Pataliputra and killed Dhana-Nanda ( as per Mahavamsa Tika).

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