Maurya was one of the most influential and powerful emperors in ancient India. He was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, which was the largest empire in the Indian subcontinent at the time.

Chandragupta Maurya was born in 340 BCE in present-day Bihar, India. He was of humble origins and was raised by a hunter in the forests. However, he possessed great ambition and desire for power.

According to historical accounts, Chandragupta was inspired by the teachings of Chanakya, a wise and learned Brahmin, who became his mentor. Under Chanakya's guidance, Chandragupta gathered an army and waged a war against the Nanda dynasty, which ruled over Magadha at the time. With Chanakya's strategies and military prowess, Chandragupta was able to overthrow the Nanda dynasty and establish his own empire.

After his victory, Chandragupta Maurya became the first emperor of the Mauryan Empire. He expanded his empire through military conquests, annexing territories and bringing them under his rule. Chandragupta's empire stretched from present-day Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east, and from the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south.

Chandragupta Maurya was known for his strong and centralized administration. He introduced various reforms, including a well-organized bureaucracy, a standardized system of weights and measures, and a strong military. He also established a network of spies and informers to maintain control over his empire.

Chandragupta Maurya was a patron of the arts and learning. He invited scholars and intellectuals from different parts of India and abroad to his court. He also promoted the spread of Buddhism and built many stupas and monasteries across his empire.

After ruling for over 20 years, Chandragupta Maurya abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Bindusara, and became a Jain monk. He spent his later years in meditation and ascetic practices. It is believed that he died around 297 BCE.

Chandragupta Maurya's legacy as a great emperor and a skilled administrator is still remembered in Indian history. His empire laid the foundation for the subsequent Mauryan dynasty and left a lasting impact on the political and cultural landscape of ancient India.