Mauryan Civil War (259 BC)

The Mauryan Civil War was fought from 259 - 251 BC.

Origins
Chandragupta I founded the Mauryan empire from conquest. When his heir died while trying to escape prison succession became a pressing issue in his empire. Various claiments came forward, with Bhadrasena Brihadratha uniting the various factions against Chandragupta's son Dasharatha I. With Seleukid support he managed to win the civil war and establish himself as Raja of Maurya.

Pandhuka's deal
Pandhuka was a son of Chandragupta who successfully lobbied Antiochos I for support for this claim, promising to return the eastern satrapies in exchange for a vast sum of silver. However without enough support to press his own claim, he rallied to the cause of Bhadrasena, taking the silver with him. Antiochos would, in accordance with Pandhuka's deal, invade the eastern satrapies. Bhadrasena did not oppose this as most of these were loyal to Dasaratha, however relations turned sour when Antiochos also invaded satrapies loyal to Bhadrasena.