Chandragupta - Path of a fallen demigod by Rajat Pillai

"Chandragupta - Path of a fallen demigod" by Rajat Pillai.

It is year 235 after Buddha. Nand dynasty founded by Mahapadmananda has ruled Magadh for three generations. It is now ruled by Dhananand. Chandra is a palace attendant. On the day of graduation of princes, Chandra is assigned in a team opposing princes. When Chandra fights the princes instead of succumbing meakly, fingers of his left arm are chopped off. On the same day a junior minister of Dhananand, Vishnugupta, is dismissed from job for opposing the king publically.

Vishnugupta and Chandra form alliance with like minded youth, called Karma Sena, with an ambition of overthrowing the Nandas, freeing Magadh and creating a kingdom with good governance. After a number of failed attempts, they take over Patliputra and Chandra is crowned Samrat. He becomes Chandragupta Maurya. His empire stretches from present day Iran to Bangladesh, from Afghanistan to Karnataka. He successfully repels the attack of Macedonian Selucus and governs in exemplary way.

But does the story end there? Who is Chandra? Why does the author call him fallen demigod? Does he rule happily ever after? Is he satisfied? Is there anything that bothers the first Samrat of India?

Author has a 'matter of factly' writing style. It was easy to depict Chandragupta and Vishnugupta (Chanakya) as men without flaws and larger than life. But author has tried to make them as real and human as possible. The author has ventured into description of detailed lifestyle of more than 1800 years ago only to the extent required for the story and thus has avoided the trap of possibly overdoing. The author keeps you interested till end. Although the book is 301 pages long, it is a large size book with small font. So it is as good as reading a 450 page book.

Chandragupta is not a magnificent king but a cursed human being who has a tendency of loosing his loved ones either to death or treachery or both. Thus although he is a Samrat in public life, he is a lonely sad man in his personal life.

On one side he is a brilliant strategist, just king, leader with a foresight. On the other hand he is a grieving husband, shocked friend, a general puzzled by treachery of his most loyal aid.

Reader can not but sympathize with this Samrat for being a sorry and lonely being who is a very disturbed soul in search of inner peace. This search eventually leads to abdicating his throne for his son and relinquishing all comfort to become a Jain monk.

A good book. Recommend reading.