The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c18.168

c18.168

When Chandragupta either abdicated or died, in the year 298 B. C., he was succeeded by his son Bindusāra. The Greek writers, however, do not know his name, and call the successor of Chandragupta by appellations which seem to be attempts to transcribe the Sanskrit epithet Amitraghāta, ‘Slayer of foes,’¹—a title which indicates that he was a conqueror. The friendly relations between India and the Hellenistic powers, which had been initiated by Chandragupta and Seleukos, continued unbroken throughout the reign of Bindusāra, at whose court Megasthenes was replaced by Deïmachos, as ambassador. The new envoy followed his predecessor’s example by recording notes on the country to which he was accredited, but unfortunately very few of his observations have been preserved. When the aged founder of the Seleukidan monarchy was assassinated in 280 B. C., his place was taken by his son and colleague Antiochos Soter, who continued to follow his father’s policy in regard to India.