IN PICS! Afghanistan was once part of Maharaja Chandragupta Maurya Empire

The rise to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan has caused a stir around the world. Since then, the situation there has been deteriorating. There are two factions around the world, one on the side of the Taliban and the other on the opposition. But do you know that Afghanistan was once ruled by an Indian king? Yes, that's right.

If we turn the pages of the history of this country of tribal culture, it seems that this country was once ruled by an Indian knight king. This king ruled Afghanistan without a fight, only on the strength of diplomacy with 500 elephants.

The king, is the majestic emperor Chandragupta Maurya. This king had connected Afghanistan with the soil of India. But without bloodshed, the story of how Chandragupta Maurya conquering Afghanistan is very interesting.

This information has been given by Vijaya Lakshmi Singh, Professor, Department of History, Delhi University. India-Afghanistan relations are very old. Some historians also link this connection with the Indus Valley Civilization. In ancient times, the Shortugai Trade Colony had the Amu Darya (a river in Afghanistan). The archeological site here in northern Afghanistan was the Indus Colony, which was used for trade.

Justin and the Greek-Roman historian Plutarch also mention the relationship between Chandragupta Maurya and Alexander. Alexander's general Seleucus had conquered the area as far as Kandhar, and had advanced as far as the frontier of western India.

Chandragupta Maurya also rushed to the border and a fight broke out between the two. The war ended in a compromise. Accordingly, in 305 BC, the seculars had handed over Afghanistan to Chandragupta Maurya. This was followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Mauryan Empire and the ancient Greek Empire.

Vijaya said the Greek Empire had adopted the Mauryan Empire in other parts of Afghanistan, including Kandahar. As a friendship, Chandragupta Morya sent 500 elephants, servants, supplies and grain to Greece.

Megasthenes, the Greek ambassador to Greece, was appointed to the Mauryan court. Megasthenes also wrote a book on Maurya. It gives the information of that time.

According to some, Seleucus married his daughter Helen to Chandragupta Maurya. However, no official information is available.

Rajiv, a professor at Patna's College of Commerce, says the area occupied by the Taliban has historically been part of Kandahar. At that time, the capital of Kandahar was Takshashila. Takshashila is currently in Rawalpindi in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

Chandragupta Morya had studied from Chanakya at Takshashila.