The Age of the Imperial Guptas c4.7

c4.7

The restoration of independence to Magadha was no doubt due to a revival of national spirit in that province and Candragupta I was merely the leader of the band of heroes who accomplished the feat. Prior to the Sātavāhana conquest of Magadha in the first century B.C., that country was the predominant power in India. From the time of the kings of Nanda dynasty the lead of Magadha had been unquestionably recognised by all nations of Northern India and its capital, Pāṭaliputra had become the metropolis of India. The power of its kings had struck terror into the hearts of the victorious legionaries of Alexander the Great and the Greek phalanxes with their myriads of auxilliaries had retired from the western frontier of the empire of Magadha before risking an engagement. Another Magadhan Emperor had caused Seleukos Nikator to retire with humbled pride after ceding the fairest Asiatic provinces of Alexander's Empire. A third emperor, the successful Brāhmaṇa general, Pushyamitra had tried in vain to stem the tide of repeated Greek invasions from Bactria and Afghanistan. The repeated treachery of the Brāhmaṇa ministers of Magadha at last laid the people of Magadha prostrate at the feet of Dravidian conqueror and after the Sātavāhana conquest Magadha ceased to be the leader of Indian nations and Pāṭaliputra, the metropolis of India.