Nanda Empire

Nanda dynasty
c.345 BCEc.322 BCE
Possible extent of the Nanda Empire under its last ruler Dhana Nanda (c.325 BCE).
StatusEmpire
CapitalPataliputra
Religion
Jainism
Ajivikism
Buddhism
Brahmanism
GovernmentMonarchy
King 
 c.345 – c.340 BCE
Mahapadma (first)
 c.329 – c.322 BCE
Dhana (last)
Historical eraIron 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 ofBangladesh
India
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 instituted a more centralised administration. Ancient sources credit them with amassing great wealth, which was probably a 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, 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.