274 THE INDIAN EMPIRE [CHAP.
Ajatasatru, early in whose reign Buddha died, probably in
the year 487 B.C.
360o B.c. The dynasty of Sisunaga lasted three or four generations
Nanda longer, and was followed at some time before the middle of
dynasty. the fourth century by the Nanda dynasty. But hardly anything
definite is known about this early period; and detailed his-
torical narrative does not become possible until the accession
of Chandragupta Maurya, the first paramount sovereign or
emperor of India, in 321 B.C.
Before, however, we can enter upon the history of the Maurya
dynasty, we must briefly describe the memorable campaign of
Alexander the Great, of which Chandragupta was an eyewitness
in his youth.
Alexander Alexander crossed the Hindu Kush in Mlay, 327 B.C., and
centers spent the remainder of that year in an arduous campaign
March, among the mountains to the north of the Kgbul river. The
326 B. C. great natural fortress of Aornos, on the Upper Indus, having
been stormed in November or December, the invader's rear
was secured by the installation of garrisons at all the important
places in the hills, and his way to India was at last clear. In
February, 326 B.c., Alexander arrived at the bridge over the
Indus at Ohind or Und, which had been constructed by his
generals; and after his wearied troops had enjoyed thirty days'
much-needed rest, he crossed the river, and entered independent
India at the beginning of spring, in the month of February or
Submis- Ambhi (Omphis). king of Taxila, the great city three days'
Taxila. march to the east of the river, whose lately deceased father had
already given welcome assistance to the invading army, now
sent an embassy with valuable presents to meet Alexander, and
contributed a contingent of 700 men to swell his force. The
ready submission of the rulers of Taxila is explained by the
fact that they sought Alexander's help against their enemies
in the neighbouring states. India was then parcelled into a
multitude of states, owning no allegiance to any paramount
power, and continually at war among themselves. At the
time of Alexander's approach Ambhi was engaged in hostilities
both with Porus, his powerful neighbour to the east, and with
the small hill kingdom of Abhisara (Abisares) to the north.
Defiance The Taxilan monarch did homage to Alexander as his
of Porus suzerain, and received investiture at his hands. Gifts of
great value were exchanged, and the contingent supplied by
the Indian king was increased to 5,ooo men. The hill
chieftain of AbhisAra, who had meditated resistance, prudently