Question

Who is Dhana Nanda?

Answer 1

Hint: The Nanda Dynasty was prevalent around the 4th and 5th BCE and the dynasty spread across the northern part of the Indian subcontinent. In eastern India's Magadha region, the Nandas overthrew the Shishunaga dynasty and expanded their authority to include a larger chunk of northern India into their territory.

Complete answer:
Dhana Nanda, a descendant of the Nanda dynasty that controlled the Magadha Empire, is a well-known figure in mediaeval India. His saga of prosperity, misery, and rivalry with Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya makes him one of the most powerful monarchs of pre-classical times.

Dhana Nanda’s father or Mahapadma Nanda was one of the sons of a ruler from the Shishunaga dynasty. As Mahapadma Nanda was born out of a shudra wife and was considered illegitimate to the throne, he fought his way to create a newer dynasty by overthrowing the Shishunaga. Dhana Nanda was amongst the most powerful monarchs of his time, but his father Mahapadma Nanda built the groundwork for his affluent dynasty. He was the one who started one of North India's largest empires, which his son Dhana Nanda expanded. The Nandas had a diverse military system with over 3,000 war elephants, 20,000 cavalry, 2000 war chariots, and 2 lakh infantry during their reign.

Dhana Nanda was the last emperor of the Nanda dynasty. During his reign, when he was approached by Chanakya (a great Brahmin philosopher) regarding the invasion from foreign invaders, Dhana Nanda insulted him which ultimately led to his downfall as Chanakya swore to destroy him and gathered an army that finally conquered and defeated him in the Nanda capital of Pataliputra. Chandragupta Maurya, the pupil of Chanakya was put on the throne, thereby ending the Nanda Empire and leading to the establishment of the Mauryan Empire.

Note: The Buddhist book Mahavamsa mentions nine Nanda monarchs, all of whom were brothers of Dhana Nanda and they reigned over the Nanda dynasty for a total of 22 years. According to this book, Ugrasena was the first of these rulers, while Dhana Nanda was the last emperor. It has also been mentioned that Dhana Nanda had a staunch hatred towards the Kshatriya clan and was also well-known for overthrowing many Kshatriya dynasties