The aristocrat who wrote this vigorous political play eschewed sentimentality in favor of realistic characterization and forceful action. It is 316 BCE, one year after Chandra-gupta Maurya, aided by his subtle minister Chanakya, has seized the kingdom of Magadha from the last king of the Nanda dynasty. Rakshasa, Nanda's incorruptible minister, flees abroad and plots his vengeance, while Chanakya seeks to win him over to honor Chandra-gupta Maurya as his new king.
