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Nanda Dynasty
Dynasty
Level 3
Dynastic phase
c. 345–321 BCE
Rich, powerful dynasty overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.
- Capital
- Pataliputra
- Region
- East
- Duration
- 24 years
- Main period
- Mahajanapadas
- Part of
- Magadha
Rulers
- Mahapadma Nanda Kingc. 345–329 BCECalled 'destroyer of all Kshatriyas' in the Puranas.
- Dhana Nanda Kingc. 329–321 BCELast Nanda, overthrown by Chandragupta.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Key events
| Year | Event | Place |
|---|---|---|
| c. 345 BCE | Mahapadma Nanda founds the Nanda dynasty | Pataliputra |
📚 Recommended reading on the Nanda Dynasty
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
Textbook
India's Ancient Past
The expanded version of the classic old-NCERT ancient India text; clear and exam-friendly.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Nanda Dynasty for a significant part of its history.
Magadha ★
East · c. 700–321 BCE
Anuradhapura Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 437 BCE – c. 1017
Chedi
Central · c. 1,000–300 BCE
Kamboja
Northwest · c. 800–330 BCE
Kalinga
East · c. 700–261 BCE
Achaemenid Gandhara & Hindush
Northwest · c. 518–330 BCE
Early Pandyas (Sangam era)
South · c. 400 BCE – c. 300 CE