HELENA ~ THE GREEK MAURYAN EMPRESS

Seleukos Nikator, the commander in chief of Alexander the Great and the ruling Emperor of Persia, came in military conflict with Chandragupta Maurya in 305 BCE. A political alliance followed between them, in which Helena, the daughter of Seleukos Nikator and Macedonian Princess, married Chandragupta Maurya, the Emperor of India(and Mauryan Empire).

                     

Chandragupta Maurya 

Though the father of Helena was against the marriage, as Chandragupta was not Greek, Helena was attracted to him-so, she advised her father to arrange her wedding to Chandragupta. Helena must have been 15-17years old when she was married  to the Indian Emperor, who was 40 years old at the time.

Helena adapted quite easily to the Indian culture after her marriage to Chandragupta,and she learned Sanskrit and Classical Indian music. She became his chief consort and Empress of Mauryan Empire.Their marriage is said to have been based on love and there are some interesting stories about  it. 

Gold coin of Seleukos Nikator

One story describes that Chandragupta had gone horseback riding with his guards, when he saw Helena and her friends playing near a river and immediately fell in love with her. He started writing letters to her and her feelings were mutual. That is when Chandragupta decided that he had to marry this Greek Princess and attacked Seleukos Nikator. After the wedding, Chandragupta Maurya gave 500 elephants as gifts to his father -in- law and he, in return gave Chandragupta parts of Afghanistan and Persian Empire. Chandragupta and Helena had a son from their union.

In 289 B.C.E, at the age of 56, Chandragupta Maaurya abdicated his throne to his son Bindusara and devoted himself to Jainism.He is said to have moved to Shravanabelegola in Karnataka, where he meditated for 2 years,until he fasted himself to death in 287 B.C.E. The accounts on Helena mention that she remained in the palace after her husband's departure- sometime later, she went to her homeland,Greece, where she died.

EDITED FROM: History and Chronicles