| Rakshasa | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | Mudrarakshasa |
| Created by | Vishakhadatta |
| In-universe information | |
| Title | Amatya |
| Occupation | Prime Minister |
Rakshasa is a character in the ancient Indian Sanskrit-language play Mudrarakshasa. In the play, he holds the post of Amatya (prime minister) in the Nanda and Maurya courts of Magadha. Originally a minister of the Nanda king, he escapes during Chandragupta Maurya's conquest of the Nanda empire. He then makes several attempts to overthrow Chandragupta, but each time, he is outsmarted by Chandragupta's advisor Chanakya. Finally, he agrees to give up the resistance, and accepts the post of amatya in the Maurya court.[1][2]