[Solved] Who was Kautilya's King? | Mauryan Prime Minister

Kautilya was prime minister of-

[U.P.P.C.S. Prelims 2002]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The partnership between a strategist (Kautilya) and a warrior-king (Chandragupta Maurya) is the legendary foundation of India's first great empire.

Authentic Source Evidence

Historical traditions (Puranas, Mudrarakshasa) and the Arthashastra itself identify the author as the architect of Chandragupta Maurya's victory over the Nandas.

Analytical Breakdown

Chandragupta Maurya (C): The founder of the Mauryan dynasty whom Kautilya trained and advised.

Chandragupta Vikramaditya (A): A Gupta king who ruled nearly 700 years after Kautilya.

Ashoka (B): Chandragupta's grandson; though Kautilya's principles influenced him, he was not Ashoka's PM.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was Kautilya's primary motivation for aiding Chandragupta?"

To seek revenge against the Nanda king Dhana Nanda for an insult and to unify India under a strong, ethical central authority.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Kautilya represents the ideal of the 'Philosopher-Statesman' whose intellectual labor provided the administrative backbone for imperial unification."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Arthashastra 13 Nanda Dynasty 5 Magadha 7

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