Nanda Empire

Nanda dynasty
c. 345 BCE–c. 322 BCE
Punch-marked coinage of the Nanda Empire
Possible extent of the Nanda Empire under its last ruler Dhana Nanda (c. 325 BCE).
Status	Empire
Capital	Pataliputra
Religion	Jainism Ajivikism Buddhism Hinduism Historical Vedic religion
Government	Monarchy
King
• c. 345 – c. 340 BCE	Mahapadma (first)
• c. 329 – c. 322 BCE	Dhana (last)
Historical era	Iron Age India
• Established	c. 345 BCE
• Disestablished	c. 322 BCE
Preceded by Succeeded by Shaishunaga dynasty Mithila Panchala Surasena Vatsa Kuru Haihaya Vanga Asmaka Maurya Empire
Today part of	India Bangladesh Nepal

The Nanda Empire was a vast empire that governed in Magadha and Gangetic plains with an enormous geographical reach in 4th-century BCE northeastern India, with some accounts suggesting existence as far back as the 5th century BCE. The Nandas built on the successes of their Haryanka and Shaishunaga predecessors and installed a more centralised administration. Ancient sources credit them with amassing great wealth, which was probably the result of the introduction of a 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 general misconduct. The last Nanda king Dhana Nanda was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, founder of the Maurya Empire.

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), Greco-Roman writers depict this kingdom as a great military power. The prospect of a war against this kingdom, which according to Greek sources had an army five times the size of the Macedonian army, 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.

Origins

Homeland

The Nanda Empire became a significant ruling authority in Magadha, prior to the creation of the Maurya Empire who established a large empire in the Ganga valley. In the Buddhist accounts, the Nandas ascended the throne by open conquest in the field and not through secret intrigues or assassinations.

Greek authors refer to a great kingdom to the east of the kingdom of King Porus, beyond the Jhelum River. The kingdom is referred to as belonging to the Gangaridae and Prasioi, and the capital at Palibothra, which is generally accepted as referring to