The shadows of Patliputra

Opening Scene: The Search for a Disciple

The dense forest outside the ancient university of Takshashila was alive with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped, and the wind rustled through the trees, but Chanakya, the brilliant and stoic Brahmin, walked through it with single-minded determination. His worn robes fluttered as he pondered the future of Bharatvarsha. He believed that knowledge—Vidya—was the true power in the world, more valuable than armies or riches. Yet, in his sharp mind, he knew he needed more than just his wisdom to overthrow the corrupt Nanda dynasty and create a unified empire. He needed a king.

In a bustling village at the edge of the forest, Chanakya’s eyes fell on two young boys. Chandragupta, with his fiery spirit and natural leadership, was quick to draw Chanakya’s attention. But there was another, Kushal, whose quiet observation and ability to adapt to any situation intrigued the scholar. Chanakya saw the potential in both: Chandragupta would be his warrior king, and Kushal, his silent operator in the shadows. Together, they would be the instruments of his grand experiment in power.

Chanakya took them under his tutelage, secretly planning the downfall of the Nanda dynasty. In the years to come, they would grow strong in body and mind, mastering both combat and strategy. And when the time was right, the plan to overthrow the Nandas would begin in earnest.

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Conspiracies in the Dark

The city of Pataliputra, the beating heart of the Nanda dynasty, seemed peaceful under the sun. Its streets were filled with merchants selling wares from across the land, artisans crafting goods, and soldiers patrolling. But as night fell, the city became something else entirely. Darkness descended swiftly, for there were no lamps to light the streets, and in the alleys and taverns, whispers carried the weight of conspiracy.

One such tavern, a nondescript Sarai, housed a man named Kushal, who had infiltrated the Nanda military’s inner circle. Posing as a merchant, Kushal had gained the trust of Bhadrasal, the Nanda army chief, feeding him false information and collecting vital intelligence. The Sarai, hidden from the eyes of the rulers, became the hub where Kushal conducted covert meetings. There, in hushed voices, Kushal exchanged battle plans, troop movements, and weaknesses in the Nanda defenses with his master Chanakya.

Chanakya, meanwhile, was busy spreading misinformation throughout the kingdom. Just like Goebbels in a faraway future, he understood the power of controlling the narrative. Through his spies, he whispered into the ears of the Nanda subjects, exploiting their dissatisfaction with the heavy taxes and corrupt governance. Bit by bit, Chanakya turned the people of Magadha against their rulers. Rumors spread like wildfire that the king was neglecting his duties, spending lavishly while the people suffered. The idea of a savior—a young warrior who would restore order—began to take root.

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The Seizure of Power: The Battle for Pataliputra

It was a moonless night when the final plan was set into motion. Chanakya, Chandragupta, and Kushal had gathered their forces—a collection of defected Nanda soldiers, mercenaries, and disillusioned villagers—on the outskirts of Pataliputra. Kushal had already mapped out the weak points of the Nanda fortifications, and Chanakya had devised a strategy to exploit them.

The attack began in the cover of darkness. Chandragupta led a small group of elite warriors through the secret paths Kushal had identified. Their goal: to disable the Nanda sentries before an alarm could be raised. With swift and deadly precision, they scaled the walls of the fortress, silencing guards with practiced efficiency.

At the same time, Chanakya executed a cunning misdirection. A small force launched a feint attack from the city’s east, forcing Nanda troops to leave their posts at the fortress and engage what they thought was the main assault. But it was a diversion. The real assault, led by Chandragupta, was already inside the walls.

Dhanananda, the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, awoke to chaos. Chandragupta's forces were cutting through his palace guards, and his commanders were nowhere to be found—many of them had been killed or disabled earlier in the battle, thanks to Kushal's careful planning. In a desperate last stand, Dhanananda confronted Chandragupta. But the fight was brief. Chandragupta, filled with the fire of destiny and guided by Chanakya's strategic brilliance, struck down the tyrant.

With Dhanananda's death, the Nanda dynasty was no more. As dawn broke over the city, the people of Pataliputra awoke to a new ruler, a new era. Chandragupta had seized the throne, and with Chanakya as his chief advisor, the foundations of the Maurya Empire were laid.

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Aftermath: The Empire Takes Shape

As Chandragupta Maurya took his place on the throne, Chanakya quickly moved to consolidate power. His Arthashastra, a treatise on governance and statecraft, became the blueprint for the new empire. The principles of espionage, economic management, and strict laws were enforced to create a stable and powerful state.

Kushal, having played his part in the rise of Chandragupta, now faded into the background. He continued to serve as Chanakya’s trusted confidante, quietly collecting intelligence and safeguarding the empire’s future. His parchment records of the events, hidden in secret chambers, would tell the story of how an empire rose not through sheer force but through the brilliance of strategy.

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Final Scene: Reflections on the Shadows

On the balcony of the royal palace, Chanakya stood with his arms folded, gazing out at the sprawling city of Pataliputra. He had fulfilled his mission, not by wielding a sword but by wielding his mind. Chandragupta, now the emperor, was secure on the throne, and the empire he had dreamed of was taking shape.

But Chanakya knew that maintaining an empire required just as much cunning as seizing it. The enemies were still out there, some external, others within. Yet, for that moment, he allowed himself a rare smile. His mind wandered to the day he found Chandragupta and Kushal, two boys who would one day help him reshape the destiny of Bharatvarsha.

And as for Kushal, his quiet work in the shadows continued, unspoken but essential. The parchments he had written, documenting the rise of the Maurya Empire, would one day be found, perhaps by those who, like him, lived in the shadows.

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Footnote: How I Came to Know These Details

I first heard this incredible tale during my visit to Sarnath in 2019. As I wandered through the ancient Buddhist site, I was approached by a serene monk who offered to tell me a story—one that had been passed down through generations. Over the course of an evening, sitting under the Bodhi tree as dusk fell, the monk narrated the story of Chanakya, Chandragupta, and the quiet yet pivotal role played by Kushal in the fall of the Nanda dynasty and the rise of the Maurya Empire. His voice, calm and deliberate, seemed to transport me back to the days when Pataliputra's nights were filled with conspiracies, and history was written in the shadows.

That evening in Varanasi, with the sounds of the Ganges flowing in the background, I felt as though I had witnessed a forgotten piece of history. The monk’s tale stayed with me long after I left, inspiring me to share it with you today.

Note: I was always intrigued by the teachings of Chanakya. In school we had to mug 108 shlokas of Chanakya written in Sanskrit. The very first Shlokas states that there is no comparison between a learned person and a king. The learned person is revered everywhere but a king is revered only in his kingdom. I did some more study and came out with this piece of history by introducing Kushal a figment of my imagination, definitely Chandragupta would have some friend like Kushal.

विद्वत्त्वं च नृपत्वं च नैव तुल्यं कदाचन। स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान सर्वत्र पूज्यते ॥ विद्वान और राजा की कभी तुलना नहीं की जा सकती।