The Nanda Dynasty from 345 BCE – 321 BCE, originated from region of Magadha in the ancient India during the 4th century BC. At its greatest extent, the empire ruled by the Nanda Dynasty extended from the Bengal in the east to the Punjab in the west and as far south as the Vindhya Range. The rulers of this dynasty were famed for the great wealth which they accumulate. The Nanda Empire was the later conquered by the Chandragupta Maurya, who founded the Maurya Empire.
Establishment of the Dynasty:
Mahapadma Nanda, who has been described in the Puranas as “the destroyer of all the Kshatriyas”, defeated many other kingdoms, including the Panchalas, Kasis, Haihayas, Kalingas, Asmakas, Kurus, Maithilas, Surasenas and the Vitihotras; to name the few. The Nandas who usurped the throne of the Shishunaga dynasty c. 345 BC thought to be of the low origin with some sources stating that the dynasty’s founder, Mahapadma was the son of the Shudra mother.
Nanda Rule:
The Nandas are sometimes described as first empire builders in the recorded history of the India. They are inherited by the large kingdom of the Magadha and wanted to extend it to yet more distant frontiers. To this purpose they built up the vast army, consisting of the 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots and the 3,000 war elephants. According to Plutarch however, the size of the Nanda army was even larger. However, the Nandas never had the opportunity to see their army up against the Alexander, who invaded India at the time of Dhana Nanda, since Alexander had to confine his campaign to plains of Punjab, for his forces, frightened by prospect of facing the formidable foe, mutinied at the Hyphasis River (the modern Beas River) refusing to march any further. This river thus marks the eastern-most extent of Alexander's conquests.
The Nandas were also renowned for their immense wealth. They undertook the irrigation projects and invented standardized measures for trade across their empire and they ruled with assistance of many ministers. The Nanda Dynasty was also mentioned in the ancient Sangam literature of the Tamil people.
Rulers of the Dynasty:
Mahapadma Nanda:
Mahapadma Nanda c. 400-329 BC was the 1st king of the Nanda dynasty. He was the son of Mahanandin, aKshatriya king of the Shishunaga dynasty and a Shudra mother. Sons of Mahanandin from his other wives opposed the rise of Mahapadma Nanda, on which he eliminated all of them to claim the throne. Mahapadmananda was the Barber (Nai) caste person.
Dhana Nanda:
According to the Mahabodhivamsa, Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He was one of the nine sons of the Mahapadma Nanda. Plutarch tells that Androkottos or Chandragupta Maurya had stated that Nanda was hated and despised by his subjects on account of the wickedness of his disposition and meanness of his origin.
During his reign, the Nanda Empire extended from Bihar and Bengal in the east to Punjab and Sindh in the west. His Prime Minister was Shaktar. He tortured the ladies of his kingdom and they were treated like animals. He drunk till his teeth and was always in a drunken state. The people of his kingdom feared him so much that they began taking refugee far away from his kingdom in caves and under trees. He greatly despised Chanakya and Chandragupta as well as their followers and known for his cruel nature.
Resources:
https://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=817533083X
http://www.mapsofindia.com/history/nanda-empire-323-bce.html
Establishment of the Dynasty:
Mahapadma Nanda, who has been described in the Puranas as “the destroyer of all the Kshatriyas”, defeated many other kingdoms, including the Panchalas, Kasis, Haihayas, Kalingas, Asmakas, Kurus, Maithilas, Surasenas and the Vitihotras; to name the few. The Nandas who usurped the throne of the Shishunaga dynasty c. 345 BC thought to be of the low origin with some sources stating that the dynasty’s founder, Mahapadma was the son of the Shudra mother.
Nanda Rule:
The Nandas are sometimes described as first empire builders in the recorded history of the India. They are inherited by the large kingdom of the Magadha and wanted to extend it to yet more distant frontiers. To this purpose they built up the vast army, consisting of the 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots and the 3,000 war elephants. According to Plutarch however, the size of the Nanda army was even larger. However, the Nandas never had the opportunity to see their army up against the Alexander, who invaded India at the time of Dhana Nanda, since Alexander had to confine his campaign to plains of Punjab, for his forces, frightened by prospect of facing the formidable foe, mutinied at the Hyphasis River (the modern Beas River) refusing to march any further. This river thus marks the eastern-most extent of Alexander's conquests.
The Nandas were also renowned for their immense wealth. They undertook the irrigation projects and invented standardized measures for trade across their empire and they ruled with assistance of many ministers. The Nanda Dynasty was also mentioned in the ancient Sangam literature of the Tamil people.
Rulers of the Dynasty:
Mahapadma Nanda:
Mahapadma Nanda c. 400-329 BC was the 1st king of the Nanda dynasty. He was the son of Mahanandin, aKshatriya king of the Shishunaga dynasty and a Shudra mother. Sons of Mahanandin from his other wives opposed the rise of Mahapadma Nanda, on which he eliminated all of them to claim the throne. Mahapadmananda was the Barber (Nai) caste person.
Dhana Nanda:
According to the Mahabodhivamsa, Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. He was one of the nine sons of the Mahapadma Nanda. Plutarch tells that Androkottos or Chandragupta Maurya had stated that Nanda was hated and despised by his subjects on account of the wickedness of his disposition and meanness of his origin.
During his reign, the Nanda Empire extended from Bihar and Bengal in the east to Punjab and Sindh in the west. His Prime Minister was Shaktar. He tortured the ladies of his kingdom and they were treated like animals. He drunk till his teeth and was always in a drunken state. The people of his kingdom feared him so much that they began taking refugee far away from his kingdom in caves and under trees. He greatly despised Chanakya and Chandragupta as well as their followers and known for his cruel nature.
Resources:
https://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=817533083X
http://www.mapsofindia.com/history/nanda-empire-323-bce.html
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