With the election campaigns in Uttar Pradesh in full swing, the most recent controversy was sparked by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who, referring to history books, stated: "History never termed Emperor Ashoka or Chandragupta Maurya great, but it termed Alexander [the Greek conqueror], who was defeated by Chandragupta Maurya, great. Historians are silent on such issues. However, once the countrymen learn the truth, India will change." He also alleged that those who were 'supporting the Partition' also supported the Taliban, a statement considered a subtle dig at Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.
Hitting back at Adityanath, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tweeted: "Hindutva is a fake history factory. Chandragupta and Alexander never met in war. This is yet another example of why we need good public education system. In absence of good schools, baba-log get to make up facts according to convenience. Baba doesn't value education and it shows."
What does history tell us of the situation?
Historically, there is little evidence of the Greek conqueror and the Mauryan emperor having crossed paths at all. In fact, Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, and Chandragupta Maurya rose to prominence as an emperor two years after, in 321 BC. The only anecdotal rumours of them meeting refer to a highly murky, historically-contested incident, where a very young Chandragupta met Alexander in the latter's barracks; this was followed by omens which foretold the Mauryan emperor's rise to greatness. However, there is no solid historical corroboration for that incident.
On the other hand, Chandragupta Maurya did capture territories which were under then late Alexander the Great, which spanned from Persia to modern-day Afghanistan and parts of Indus Valley. The Macedonian Empire was, after Alexander's death, divided into four fragments. The eastern part of the empire was helmed by his general Seleucus I Nicator, who fought the Seleucid-Mauryan war in 305 BC. He was roundly defeated by Chandragupta. In a peace treaty, the Seleucid empire ceded territories that included Kabul and Kandahar.