When Chandragupta was receiving education at Taxila the political state of Gandhara was not healthy. The main threat to it was from its neighbour Kaikya kingdom that was ruled by a very ambitious king named Puru. He was a brave soldier and wanted to create an empire for himself by winning other kingdoms through battles and merging them into Kaikya. Use of other methods was also employed. He did it in the case of Gandhara.
Kaikya spies infiltrated into Gandhara. The administration was corrupted through bribes, girls and blackmail. Same was done to army ranks. Thus, Puru was able to takeover Gandhara without shedding any blood.
But the victor did not dethrone Gandhara ruler or eliminate his dynasty. He worked up a ‘Friendship Treaty’ and allowed Gandhara ruler to continue on as his proxy. Gandhara king was satisfied with the arrangement but his son Prince Ambhi did not like it. He thought Puru was humiliating them through that treaty by reducing them to virtual slaves of Kaikya.
Ambhi felt anguished whenever he recalled the way his father bowed before Puru like a servant and was made to honour the victor. For him Puru was a thief who had stolen their honour and power through corrupt means. He wished to take revenge on arrogant Puru.
Meanwhile Ambhi learnt that Greek conqueror, Emperor Alexander was storming eastwards in his world conquest mission. He had already won Egypt, Persia, Harauti, Shakastan and Bactria and was poised to cross Hindukush ranges to land in north Indian plains.
Ambhi was very impressed with the might and the bravery of the Greek emperor. He learnt that the Greek invader crushed those who did not bend but those who on their own capitulated without putting up resistance were treated like friends and rewarded. This elated Ambhi. There was an opportunity for him in Alexander to realise his dreams.
Prince Ambhi called a meeting of his confidants and decided to develop friendship with the Greek conqueror. It could help him take his revenge on Puru.
By that time Gandhar king had reached an advanced stage of his life. He remained in sick bed or resting on throne not doing anything much. The state was being run by Prince Ambhi who was a product of Taxila. The courtiers and the officials were carrying out the orders of Ambhi obediently. Everyone tried to be in the good books of the prince who was a virtual ruler and legal heir to the crown.
The king learnt about Ambhi’s plan to befriend with Alexander and align with him. He did not like it. He was an old world man who distrusted aliens, especially the cow eaters. Old king barged into the meeting where Ambhi was discussing matters related to offer of friendship to Emperor Alexander. He rebuked the prince for his treacherous move.
The prince accused his father that he was too old to understand the complexities and situations of the new world. He declared the ‘Friendship Treaty’ with the alien invader will become a reality.
It came as a great shock for the old king. His own son defying him infront of others was a very humiliating experience. His old heart could not take it. It suffered a stroke and the old king collapsed to die. (Some say the anguished king killed himself in harakiri fashion.) Now king Ambhi had no hurdles to bar his way. He was determined to become an ally of the alien invader and get Greeks attack Kaikya as it fell in their conquest route. The destiny appeared to be working in Ambhi’s favour.
This development worried Guru Chanakya. He was pacing floor with grim face. Chandragupta happened to come there. He looked at the anxiety ridden face of his guru and asked, “Sir, you look very worried. May I know why?”
“You have the right to ask me that question, my Chandra.” He had stopped moving.
“Sir, what is causing worry to you?”
“The cause of my worry is the alien storm called Alexander that comes raging towards our lands. He tramples upon the kingdom that fall on his way and eliminates the rulers who resist him.”
“So, why should you worry about it, sir?” Chandra asked mystified, “Alexander should be the problem of the native kings to deal with. Why should academics lose sleep over it?”
“No son, it is not the same as battles between the native kings. That is power struggle between the native rulers. The people largely remain unaffected. The life goes on as usual, only the names of the rulers or dynasties change.”
“Sir, I still don’t understand your point. Alexander is a brave warrior emperor. He will win against our selfish and narrow minded rulers. The Greek emperor may give us better administration and order.”
“No Chandra, it is entirely a different game. Alexander is an alien invader from a different civilisation and political culture. His aim is to subjugate the native population, destroy our culture, civilisation and way of life. He will try to force western culture, way of life, language, civilisation and systems on our society. This world conquest of Alexander is in reality an exercise to impose Greek culture on us. It will spiritually destroy us. It is an attack on our culture and the way of life so dear to us. This storm needs to be checked!
“But how, sir?”
“By uniting the native rulers, kings and fiefs against the common enemy, the alien invader.”
“But respected sir, our land is divided into small fragmented kingdoms ruled by selfish minds that can’t see beyond their noses. To unite them many battles will have to be fought involving victories and defeats. Our defeated rulers then are possessed by a desire of revenge. To me uniting those kingdoms or fiefdoms looks an impossible task. In a union of the kingdoms it has been seen that bigger kingdoms get more importance and smaller ones are ignored. The ignored units get together and work for the disintegration of the union to regain their lost advantages,” argued Chandragupta.
“Son, your thought is correct in a domestic context but in the case of an alien invasion there are different implications. If the kings of a union begin fighting for their own selfish ends then the idea of a union loses all meaning. The Greek invader wins over kingdoms through battles or by befriending the rulers; and then a new culture begins to emerge which is more like Greek than Indian.”
“I see. In this way eventually our culture and civilisation will get replaced by those of Greece. That is a very terrible prospect, sir.”
“That is what pains me.”
“Sir, I have heard rumours that king Ambhi has become ally of the alien invader and the Greek Emperor Alexander has been invited as a guest to Gandhara.”
“That is not a rumour, son. It is hard news and a fact. I got worrying when I got the confirmation.” Chanakya shook his head in disgust. “Something has to be done. Go and assemble your classmates. We need to discuss the issue.”
Chandragupta nodded his head and departed. The boys assembled on a grassy ground with some tall shady trees. Chanakya walked in. The students greeted him with folded hands and bowed heads. Then they sat down on the grass.
Chanakya said, “Dear pupils! This is your final year at Taxila. The political situations around tell me that this institution may not continue to function as before for long. The events are going to overtake it. It is a perilous change-over phase of our history. A Greek invader called Alexander is coming to our lands to trample upon them.” The teacher paused.
Malva prince Udayana rose up and spoke, “Sir, may I say something?”
“Please do, Udayan. It is an open discussion.”
“Sir, the Greek invader is marching towards us but now it appears that we are rushing towards the alien Emperor.”
“Very correctly put, my dear,” Chanakya nodded his head approvingly. “I understand your hint. It is true that the king of Taxila, Ambhi has struck friendship with Alexander and the Greek is invited to the capital for a royal reception and public honour.”
“Yes sir! Many people are worrying over it. But our king Ambhi is gloating. Strange situation it is.”
“That is the subject of this discussion. I want you to know the issues involved. Tomorrow you will be taking charge of your kingdoms as rulers or top executive administrators. I am sure that the talent and capability to analyse problems and work out solutions are fairly developed in you as a result of our educaiton. I want to use your capabilities and talents.”
“Sir, I too have a point to add,” another student said.
“Go ahead, my boy and make your point. No one need to hesitate in expressing one’s opinions or points.”
“My suggestion is that all the kingdoms of our land be merged into a big empire with the largest kingdom as its nucleus. The bravest and ablest amongst the kings be made the sovereign ruler of the empire.”
Another student opined, “But no big or small kingdom shall surrender its independence without any coercion or direct threat.”
“Son, no one will be losing his independence much. He would be allowed to function freely within his area. The umpire will take care of the collective interests of all especially in the case of an alien invasion,” said Chanakya and added, “At this point of time in north west (Vaheek) the kingdom of Kaikya is the only state strong enough that can challenge the might of the alien invader.”
“Sir, are you suggesting that Kaikya be the nucleus state of the empire under discussion and King Puru is to be nominated as the Emperor?”
“Right now no one can say anything definitely but if the empire becomes a possibility his name will surely come up whether I like or not.”
Chandragupta said, “Sir, please tell us your plan about this endeavour in detail for our benefit.”
“Sure, Chandra,” Chanakya looked at his favourite pupil directly and revealed, “My plan is to visit the important kingdoms of our land, meet like-minded people, build up an opinion against alien invasions and spread political awareness about the dangers of the alien domination. I want to kindle the spirit of native pride and awaken the spiritual power of the Indian civilisation.”
“But what happens to Taxila University?” A pupil questioned.
“Before you ask that question ponder over other vital questions we are faced to, son. If alien invader destroys our culture where shall we be? Will our civilisation, traditions, mythological treasures, historic legacy and way of life survive? Under alien domination this very institution will be teaching you Greek mythology, its history, language, its religious beliefs, philosophy, politics and the ways of alien life. You won’t be a native Indian but a Greek monkey. So, my dear pupil, in the present situation our first duty is to think of the ways to send back the Greek invader. The rest of the questions come later.”
“What should we do, sir?” Chandragupta asked. He wanted a command of his revered guru to do his duty.
“Chandragupta! You will stay here in Taxila with some other students as you have nowhere to go. Other pupils may go to their states and work up an opinion against the alien invader,” the guru advised and added, “I will move towards Magadha through Kaikya, Katha, Shudraka and Malva kingdoms.”
Chandragupta winced like a bee stung. He spoke complainingly, “The Nanda ruler of Magadha is a debauchee, coward, mean and a lowly character. What kind of cooperation do you expect to get from him, sir?”
“Chandra, an evil ruler is subject to blackmail and the fear of losing power which frightens him. We can exploit his fears and make him understand the dangers of Alexander and cooperate with us. It is no time to consider personal enmities and grudges. Remember, the father of the present ruler of Magadha had executed my father. But for the sake of our land I have no consideration for that injustice.”
“But sir, I can’t forget the injustices meted out to my family by evil Nanda. The very word Nanda fills me with a loathing and thought of revenge seizes my mind.”
“Son, you must sober up. Consider all elders of our land as your parents visualise their agony under alien tyranny. You are a very talented youngman and I have great hopes in you. But if you continue to be in angry revengeful mindset you will destroy yourself through some premature foolish action.”
“I will try to mend myself, sir. I understand what you say. I am allowing myself to become another Ambhi. That will not happen. I will make you proud of me,” the pupil promised.
“I trust you.” Chanakya took a paper that carried some names listed. He said, “Here is the list of the students who would travel with me with the caravan of the merchant Kubera. They may prepare for the journey, meet Kubera and inform him of the extra passengers. Chandragupta will stay back in Taxila with the rest and create awareness against the alien invader.”
Udayan suggested, “Sir, I have a friend in Gandhara army who is a commander. I had arranged with him to stay back for a few weeks to serve in the army for an experience. My friend Chandragupta can take my place and gain some practical soldierly experience. I will introduce him to my commander friend.”
Chandragupta beamed, “That would be great, Udayan. What do you think, sir?” he asked Chanakya.
Chanakya said enthusiastically, “Very good, Udayan. Our Chandra would be amongst the soldiers and create the awareness. But very carefully, he must do it without taking any risk.”
Chandragupta promised that he won’t indulge in any foolhardy act. Chanakya blessed him.
At that note the meeting broke up. The youngmen were first to go to merchant Kubera and the Udayan was to take Chandragupta to his army commander friend to fix him there as planned. It would be a valuable experience for Chandragupta in soldiering and the army life.
