Recently I finished watching 'Chanakya', the epic story of a great minister who was the founder of the first Indian empire around 300 BC. I watched this series when I was a kid, but hardly understood it then. I finally got to watch the entire series again and loved it. It is amazing to know the story of Vishnugupt (also known as Chanakya) an intelligent and self-less man, a great teacher and a shrewd minister.
Vishnugupt was from Patliputra which was ruled by Nands at that time. As a kid he got to see the corrupt nature of the Nands who cared only about themselves. Vishnugupt's parents get killed when they raise their voice against corruption. There was not much he could do as a kid and hence he went away to Takshashila to study which was considered the best school at that time. Vishnugupt completes his education at Takshashila and due to his excellence he gets invited to continue as political science teacher there. He becomes one of the best political science teachers of the country. He authored the famous 'Arthashastra' where he discussed his view of politics.
The remaining series shows how Vishnugupt meets a kid by name Chadragupta. He sees great potential in the kid and takes him to Takshashila and educates him. Then begin the invasions by Greeks headed by Alexander. Alexander gradually takes over major portion of India starting from the northern most states and slowly trickling down. He takes over these states either through a battle or through peace talks with the local rulers who give away their land to satisfy their petty and selfish interests. When the country is in a turmoil with its rulers trapped in their selfish interests, Vishnugupt raises his voice for a united Indian empire. It was his life long dream to see all the states of India united as an empire so that our strong diverse culture remains intact and outsiders don't invade and take over the country. He inspired all the teachers and students around the country to fight against the Greeks. He raised an army of students led by Chandragupt who drove the Greek invaders out of India. He then spoke to all the rulers of individual states about uniting into one big empire. In the process he also overthrew the corrupt ruler of Patliputra and replaced him with Chandragupt. He also served as Chadragupt's minister in Patliputra.
Chanakya's policies and methods were radical and hence many did not agree with him at that time and probably now as well. But I admire him as he was a great visionary who could think beyond the present. He was able to think for the future of the country and its countrymen. He had no selfish interests, and believed that the teachers of the nation should raise their voice when the rulers do not perform their duties.
It is a good TV series and I recommend it to anyone interested in knowing how rulers in the BC's dealt with politics, and what was involved in forming the great Indian empire around 300 BC. But let me warn you that you need to be very patient when you watch this series. It was made in 1990's when TV production was not as advanced as it is today. There are many parts which are very slow and test your patience. The battle scenes get dragging. But at the same time the dialogue and speech delivery especially by Chanakya are excellent. The language is deep and intense, dialogue delivery is fast, with complicated Sanskrit words. Though I am quite well-versed with Hindi, I had to read the English subtitles to understand it thoroughly. Chanakya's speeches to his students, rulers, and the masses is the best part of this series.
Uttishtha Bharata!! (meaning Rise O India)
Vishnugupt was from Patliputra which was ruled by Nands at that time. As a kid he got to see the corrupt nature of the Nands who cared only about themselves. Vishnugupt's parents get killed when they raise their voice against corruption. There was not much he could do as a kid and hence he went away to Takshashila to study which was considered the best school at that time. Vishnugupt completes his education at Takshashila and due to his excellence he gets invited to continue as political science teacher there. He becomes one of the best political science teachers of the country. He authored the famous 'Arthashastra' where he discussed his view of politics.
The remaining series shows how Vishnugupt meets a kid by name Chadragupta. He sees great potential in the kid and takes him to Takshashila and educates him. Then begin the invasions by Greeks headed by Alexander. Alexander gradually takes over major portion of India starting from the northern most states and slowly trickling down. He takes over these states either through a battle or through peace talks with the local rulers who give away their land to satisfy their petty and selfish interests. When the country is in a turmoil with its rulers trapped in their selfish interests, Vishnugupt raises his voice for a united Indian empire. It was his life long dream to see all the states of India united as an empire so that our strong diverse culture remains intact and outsiders don't invade and take over the country. He inspired all the teachers and students around the country to fight against the Greeks. He raised an army of students led by Chandragupt who drove the Greek invaders out of India. He then spoke to all the rulers of individual states about uniting into one big empire. In the process he also overthrew the corrupt ruler of Patliputra and replaced him with Chandragupt. He also served as Chadragupt's minister in Patliputra.
Chanakya's policies and methods were radical and hence many did not agree with him at that time and probably now as well. But I admire him as he was a great visionary who could think beyond the present. He was able to think for the future of the country and its countrymen. He had no selfish interests, and believed that the teachers of the nation should raise their voice when the rulers do not perform their duties.
It is a good TV series and I recommend it to anyone interested in knowing how rulers in the BC's dealt with politics, and what was involved in forming the great Indian empire around 300 BC. But let me warn you that you need to be very patient when you watch this series. It was made in 1990's when TV production was not as advanced as it is today. There are many parts which are very slow and test your patience. The battle scenes get dragging. But at the same time the dialogue and speech delivery especially by Chanakya are excellent. The language is deep and intense, dialogue delivery is fast, with complicated Sanskrit words. Though I am quite well-versed with Hindi, I had to read the English subtitles to understand it thoroughly. Chanakya's speeches to his students, rulers, and the masses is the best part of this series.
Uttishtha Bharata!! (meaning Rise O India)
