Dhana Nanda

Dhana Nanda
Nanda Samrat image:
Reign	329 BC --- 321 BC
Full name	Dhana Nanda
Predecessor	Mahendra Nanda
Successor	Chandragupta Maurya (the founder of mauryan dynasty)
Royal House	Nanda Dynasty
Father	Mahapadma Nanda
Mother	Shruda
Religious beliefs	Buddhism

Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty.He was one of the eight sons of the Mahapadma Nanda. He was a very unjust and a cruel ruler who was dethroned by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya empire. Chandragupta married Dhana Nanda's very own daughter,Durdhara.

Reign

During his reign, the Nanda Empire extended from Bihar and Bengal in the east to Punjab and Sindh in the west.The people of Magadha were attacked by him.during his reign powerful enemies rose in revolts.

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  Dhana Nanda's empire

Dhana Nanda's Cruelty

There are many things which he did with his people. 1. taxes were heavenly taken from the people. 2. farmers were forced to give all the grain and they would also take the food which the farmers eat. 3. Dhana Nanda burnt many houses and shops of people. 4. He did the wrong justice with his people.Such as taxing people for burning their dead ( tax was on wood that was used to burn the dead) 5. Without knowing the knowledge of fighting and without weapons , the kshatriyas would be sent in the battles for stopping the attacks of the enemies. they were kept in the place called rajgreh

War with the Kalingas

During his reign,the Kalingas rose in revolt but Dhana Nanda wanted to extend his empire by adding kalingas to it.The Kalingas refused surrender them at the hands of Dhana Nanda.This led to a war between Kalingas and the Nandas .This war was fearful for people who fought against Dhana Nanda.This war was fought for 5 years. Many kalinga chiefs were killed by Dhana Nanda. The last kalinga chief fled away from with his some men and escaped.

The Nanda Army

After extending his empire,Dhana Nanda's army consisted of 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 war chariots and 3,000 war elephants (at the lowest estimates).[3] According to Plutarch however, the size of the Nanda army was even larger, numbering 200,000 infantry, 80,000 cavalry, 8,000 war chariots, and 6,000 war elephants.The Nanda army discouraged many of his enemies such as kalingas and alexander the great.

War with Chandragupta Maurya

when Dhana Nanda was finding Chandragupta and Chanakya.Then Chandragupta recruited many soldiers,people ,clans and many kshatriyas who were against Dhana Nanda. Then Chandragupta made a surprise attacks several times and soon Dhana Nanda was defeated ,captured and killed by Chandragupta.

Last hope to kill Chandragupta

It is said that after Dhana Nanda's death Amatya Rakshas who was very loyal to the Nandas tried to kill Chandragupta.But Chanakya always saved Chandragupta from those attacked.It is said that Amatya gave up in killing and Chanakya made him the chief minister of Chandragupta Maurya and his son.

Notes

Dhana Nanda Nanda Dynasty Dhana Nanda Nanda Dynasty Preceded by Mahendra Nanda Nanda Emperor 187–180 Succeeded by Chandragupta (Mauryan Dynasty)