Chandragupta Maurya's Alliance with Greek Rulers

Chandragupta Maurya was the founder of the vast Maurya Empire in ancient India. After consolidating power in Northern India, his empire bordered the territories controlled by the Hellenistic rulers who had taken over parts of Alexander the Great's former empire in Asia.

One such ruler was Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucus I Nicator was one of Alexander's generals, known as the Diadochi, who gained control over a large part of the Asian territories after Alexander's death. His empire, the Seleucid Empire, bordered the Maurya Empire in the northwest.

Around 305 BCE, Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus I Nicator engaged in a conflict. The exact details of this conflict are not fully clear, but historical sources suggest that Chandragupta Maurya was victorious or at least held the upper hand, leading to a peace treaty.

The treaty signed between Chandragupta Maurya and Seleucus I Nicator involved several key elements:

• Seleucus ceded territories in the Indus Valley region and parts of modern-day Afghanistan (like Gandhara, Arachosia, Gedrosia, and Paropamisadae) to the Maurya Empire.
• Chandragupta Maurya gifted 500 war elephants to Seleucus.
• A matrimonial alliance was established between the two dynasties. Historical accounts suggest that either Seleucus gave his daughter in marriage to Chandragupta, or there was an exchange of brides and grooms, though the specific details of who married whom are debated among historians. This matrimonial alliance was a significant part of solidifying the peace and the new border arrangement.
• Seleucus sent Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador, to Chandragupta's court at Pataliputra. Megasthenes' account, known as Indica, is a crucial source of information about the Maurya Empire.

Based on this historical context, the Greek ruler with whom Chandragupta Maurya established a matrimonial relation was Seleucus Nicator.

Let's consider the other options:

• Herodotus was a Greek historian who lived much earlier (5th century BCE) and is considered the "Father of History". He is known for his work "The Histories" but had no direct interaction or matrimonial relation with Chandragupta Maurya.
• Mitrodotus is not a widely recognized figure in the context of Chandragupta Maurya's interactions with Greek rulers.
• Alexander the Great invaded parts of India before Chandragupta established the Maurya Empire. Chandragupta met Alexander but did not establish a matrimonial relationship with him; their interaction was during an earlier period.

Therefore, the correct Greek ruler involved in a matrimonial alliance with Chandragupta Maurya was Seleucus Nicator.