Who among the following said that ‘Maurya kings were usually surrounded by armed women’?
 

Key Points

• Megasthenes was a Greek historian, diplomat, and explorer who lived during the Hellenistic period.
• He was an ambassador of Seleucus I Nicator, who sent him to the court of Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).
• Megasthenes is best known for his work "Indica," which provides a detailed account of India during the Maurya Empire.
• In his writings, Megasthenes mentioned that Maurya kings were often surrounded by armed women, which was a distinctive feature of the royal court.

Additional Information

• Shudraka
  • Shudraka is known as the author of the ancient Indian play "Mrichchhakatika" (The Little Clay Cart).
  • The play is a ten-act Sanskrit drama, which is a classic example of ancient Indian theatre.
  • There is no historical evidence to suggest that Shudraka had any connection with the Maurya kings or their court.
• Seleucus I Nicator
  • Seleucus I Nicator was one of the generals of Alexander the Great and later became a ruler of the Seleucid Empire.
  • He established the Seleucid dynasty and controlled a significant portion of the territories formerly conquered by Alexander.
  • Seleucus I had diplomatic relations with Chandragupta Maurya and sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the Maurya court.
• Kautilya (Chanakya)
  • Kautilya, also known as Chanakya, was an ancient Indian philosopher, economist, and statesman.
  • He is traditionally identified as the author of the "Arthashastra," an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.
  • Kautilya was a key advisor and mentor to Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire.