Indian History

                                       Maurya Empire, c.250 BCE /  Wikimedia Commons Chandragupta Maurya’s claim to fame rests on the fact that he was the founder of the first and one of the greatest empires that appeared in India. He not only succeeded in overthrowing the unpopular last ruler of the Nandas with their capital at Pataliputra (modern day Patna), also to his credit goes the driving out of the Greeks garrisons from the North-West frontier set up as a result of Alexander’s invasion and unification of a large part of India including the Deccan. In fact, he was the first Indian ruler who sent military expeditions beyond the Vindhyas and brought the area under his influence. The early life of Chandragupta Maurya The early life of Chandragupta Maurya and his ascent to the throne is hidden in obscurity. He is described as Sandrocottus  in the Greek sources which attest to his meeting with Alexander who did not like his boldness of speech. Chandragupta Maurya is also men

After the death of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of Sur dynasty that almost supplanted the nascent Mughal Empire resulting in the exile of the second Mughal emperor Humayun from India, he was succeeded on the throne by his second son Jalal Khan on 25th May 1545 AD. Sher Shah died on 22nd May from an accidental explosion of gunpowder during his siege of the Hindu fort of Kalinjar in central India. Since it was felt by the nobles of the empire that someone was needed to be raised to the throne as early as possible they forsake his eldest son Adil Khan in favour of Jalal Khan who was in the town of Rewah which was nearer to Kalinjar than Ranthambore where the eldest son was present at the time of Sher Shah’s demise.    Jalal Khan ascended the throne with the title of Islam Shah though he is more popularly known as Salim Shah. The fort he built in Delhi is also known as Salimgarh Fort, lying adjacent to the Red Fort built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the builder of Taj Mahal.  A ruin