Bindusara

Bindusara, son of Chandragupta Maurya, launched military campaigns into the Deccan plateau, conquering territories as far south as Mysore. He added the region of Kalinga (though not fully subdued) and parts of the Deccan to the Mauryan Empire.

Bindusara maintained friendly relations with the Seleucid Empire, exchanging ambassadors. He received Deimachus as an envoy from Antiochus I Soter, continuing the diplomatic ties established by his father.

Bindusara was a patron of the Ajivika sect, a non-Buddhist ascetic tradition. He supported their monasteries and teachings, reflecting the religious diversity of the Mauryan court before Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.

Bindusara sent his son Ashoka to quell a rebellion in the northwestern city of Taxila. The rebellion was suppressed without major bloodshed, demonstrating Ashoka's military capability and administrative skill.