Nanda Empire

Nanda Empire
c. 345 BCE[a]c. 322 BCE
Possible extent of the Nanda Empire under its last ruler Dhana Nanda (c. 325 BCE).[1]
Possible extent of the Nanda Empire under its last ruler Dhana Nanda (c. 325 BCE).[1]
CapitalPataliputra
Religion
Hinduism
Buddhism
Jainism[2]
GovernmentMonarchy
Emperor 
• c. 345 – c. 340 BCE
Mahapadma (first)
• c. 329 – c. 322 BCE
Dhana (last)
Historical eraIron Age India
• Established
c. 345 BCE[a]
• Disestablished
c. 322 BCE
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Shaishunaga dynasty
Mahajanapadas
Maurya dynasty
Today part ofBangladesh
India
Nepal

The Nanda dynasty was the fifth ruling dynasty of Magadha in northern Indian subcontinent during the fourth century BCE and possibly also during the fifth century BCE. The Nandas overthrew the Shaishunaga dynasty, and expanded the empire to include a larger part of northern India. Ancient sources differ considerably regarding the names of the Nanda kings and the duration of their rule, but based on the Buddhist tradition recorded in the Mahāvaṃsa, they appear to have ruled during c. 345–322 BCE, although some theories date the start of their rule to fifth century BCE.

The Nandas built on the successes of their Haryanka and Shaishunaga predecessors, and instituted a more centralised administration. Ancient sources credit them with amassing great wealth, which was probably a result of introduction of new currency and taxation system. Ancient texts also suggest that the Nandas were unpopular among their subjects because of their low status birth, excessive taxation, and their general misconduct. The last Nanda king was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya Empire, and the latter's mentor Chanakya.

Modern historians generally identify the ruler of the Gangaridai and the Prasii mentioned in ancient Greco-Roman accounts as a Nanda king. While describing Alexander the Great's invasion of Punjab (327–325 BCE), the Greco-Roman writers depict this kingdom as a great military power. The prospect of a war against this kingdom, coupled with the exhaustion resulting from almost a decade of campaigning, led to a mutiny among Alexander's homesick soldiers, putting an end to his Indian campaign.


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  1. ^ Schwartzberg, Joseph E. (1978). A Historical atlas of South Asia. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. p. 145, map XIV.1 (a). ISBN 0226742210.
  2. ^ M. B. Chande (1998). Kautilyan Arthasastra. Atlantic Publishers. p. 313. ISBN 9788171567331. During the period of the Nanda Dynasty, the Hindu, Buddha and Jain religions had under their sway the population of the Empire

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