History and game story
The Mauryan Empire
The Mauryan Empire began in South Asia in the late 300s BCE. It grew into one of the largest early empires in the region.
How we know about it
Historians study words carved on stone, old buildings, objects and written texts. These sources were made at different times and for different reasons, so they do not always agree.
Chandragupta and Ashoka
Chandragupta Maurya started the ruling family after Nanda power fell. Later, the empire covered a very large area. Ashoka left many messages carved on stone. They tell us about his rule, his goals and the values he wanted people to follow.
Chanakya and the Arthashastra
Old stories link Chandragupta with Chanakya, who is also called Kautilya or Vishnugupta. Kautilya is linked with the Arthashastra. Experts still debate when parts of the book were written and whether one person wrote all of it.
What the game invents
The player, secret plot and most private events in Shadows of the Arthashastra are made for the game. Real dates and public figures create the setting. They do not prove that the game's plot happened.