How did Chandragupta conquer Magadha?
A.
by sending in his spies to open the city gates to his soldiers
B.
by attacking their borders and slowly weakening the outer reaches of the city first
C.
by uniting with the Greeks, combining their forces, and attacking from two directions
D.
by attacking with his elephants and wrecking the city
D. by attacking with his elephants and wrecking the city
B. by attacking their borders and slowly weakening the outer reaches of the city first.
To find the answer to this question, we can consult historical texts and accounts that describe the conquest of Magadha by Chandragupta. One primary source of information is the ancient text called the "Mudrarakshasa," an Indian play written by Vishakhadatta.
From the available historical accounts, the option that best describes how Chandragupta conquered Magadha is option B: by attacking their borders and slowly weakening the outer reaches of the city first.
Chandragupta, who later became the founder of the Maurya Empire, followed a strategic approach in conquering Magadha. According to the "Mudrarakshasa" and other sources, Chandragupta first initiated a series of military campaigns to subdue the regions surrounding Magadha. By conquering the bordering territories, he gradually weakened the outer defenses of Magadha and isolated the capital city, Pataliputra.
This method allowed Chandragupta to cut off the city from crucial resources and reinforcements. With the reduced strength and resources, Magadha became more vulnerable to Chandragupta's onslaught. After a prolonged period of warfare and siege, Chandragupta succeeded in capturing and controlling Magadha, solidifying his power over the region.
Therefore, option B, which mentions attacking the borders and gradually weakening the outer reaches of the city first, is the correct answer.