In the run up to the Uttar Pradesh election early next year, chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that Chandragupta Maurya's legacy had been distorted as he was not credited for defeating Greek conqueror Alexander.
Addressing a 'Samajik Pratinidhi Sammelan' in Lucknow, Adityanath claimed that while Alexander was hailed as 'great', Maurya was not termed 'great'. He added that if the truth was revealed, society would stand up and rebel.
But did the Mauryan king defeat Alexander the Great. Yogi's claim fetched a sharp rebuke from AIMIM chief Assadudin Owaisi who in tweet wrote this is yet another example of why India needs a good public education system as Alexander and Maurya never met in a war.
ALSO WATCH: UP Election 2022: What is Amit Shah's masterplan to make Yogi win again?
Recorded history states that Chandragupta Maurya didn't come to power when Alexander came to north-western part of South Asia.
The major power in India at that time was the Nanda empire. However, Chandragupta Maurya waged and won a war against Seleucus Nicator I, the general of Alexander who took over the eastern part of the Greek empire after Alexander's death.
Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and UP Elections 2022 News here.