Mask of Vaikuntha Vishnu, late 5th century. Learn more about 5th century masks
Designed by
Chandragupta Maurya (b. n.d.; d. c. 297 BCE) was the founder of the Mauryan Empire and ruled from c. 321 BCE–297 BCE, after overthrowing the Nanda empire. Somewhat later sources associate him with a Brahmin advisor, Chanakya. Legends dating to the medieval period narrate that he became a Digambara Jain monk at Shravana Belagola, Karnataka, after abdicating his throne to his son Bindusara.