SSC
The last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, who was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, was:
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Answer: Option D ā Dhana Nanda
Detailed Solution
Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty of Magadha, who was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of Chanakya, around 321 BCE.
About Dhana Nanda:
- He was one of the sons of the founder of the Nanda dynasty.
- According to tradition, there were nine Nanda kings in all (the founder and his eight sons, or nine brothers), and Dhana Nanda was the last.
- He was a contemporary of Alexander the Great, whose invasion of north-western India took place in 326 BCE.
- Greek writers called him "Agrammes" or "Xandrames".
His wealth:
- He was famous for his enormous wealth; his name "Dhana" means "wealth".
- Tamil Sangam literature also refers to the treasure of the Nandas, hidden in the Ganga.
The fall of the Nandas:
- The Nandas were unpopular because of their heavy taxes and their low birth (according to some sources).
- According to tradition, Chanakya, a Brahmana scholar, was insulted at the court of Dhana Nanda and vowed to destroy the dynasty.
- He found and trained the young Chandragupta Maurya.
- Together, they raised an army and overthrew Dhana Nanda, after initial failures.
- Chandragupta Maurya then founded the Maurya dynasty, with its capital at Pataliputra.
Dynasties of Magadha:
Haryanka -> Shishunaga -> Nanda -> Maurya.
Why not the other options?
- āMahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty.
- āNagadasaka was the last Haryanka ruler.
- āBrihadratha belonged to a later dynasty.
Quick tip
Remember: last Nanda king = Dhana Nanda (Greek "Agrammes"; very wealthy); overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya with Chanakya (about 321 BCE); nine Nandas.
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Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire ā Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Shishunaga and Nanda dynasties, Alexander's invasion, and the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and Ashoka, including Mauryan administration, Ashoka's dhamma and his edicts. Questions often ask about the capital of a Mahajanapada, the founder of a dynasty, or details of Ashoka's rule, such as the Kalinga war and his rock and pillar edicts. Key sources include Kautilya's Arthashastra and Megasthenes' Indica. James Prinsep first deciphered Ashoka's Brahmi inscriptions in 1837. Practise the Mahajanapadas and Mauryan Empire questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.