Nanda Dynasty and Coins

The Nanda dynasty governed in northern India during the 4th and 5th centuries BC and controlled Magadha. It was the fifth ruling dynasty of Magdha, in eastern India. The Nanda capital was in Pataliputra (modern day Patna). The Buddhist and Jain traditions, as well as the Sanskrit drama Mudrarakshasa, attest to this.

                       

Karshapana, Nanda, Magadha, 345-323 BC.

 

The Nandas expanded on the achievements of their Haryanka and Shishunaga forefathers by establishing a more centralized administration. They amassed vast fortunes as a consequence of adopting a taxing system. They were not popular among their subjects. Mahapadma was the founder of the dynasty, according to the Puranas, and was the son of the Shishunaga monarch Mahanandin. There were nine Nanda rulers, according to Buddhist, Jain and Puranic traditions.

Mahapadma Nanda is recognized as the ''first historic emperor'' of India (India's first ruler was Chandragupta Maurya). In Buddhist literature, the Nandas are classified as annatakula (unknown lineage). His reign lasted for twenty-eight years. ''Sarva Kashtriyantaka'' (Kshatriya killer) and ''Ekrat'' (one ruler), implying that the Nanda empire was a unified monarch rather than a collection of feudal kingdoms, are two more names for him.

                       

          Mahapadma Nanda

The empire grew during Mahapadma's reign. It ran south from the Kuru country to the Godavari Valley, and east from Magadha to the Narmada.

                      

        Nanda Empire, 325 BC.

Dhana Nanda was the last emperor. He is known as Agrammes or Xandrames in Greek. Alexander invaded northwestern India during his reign, but owing to his army's resistance, he was unable to reach the Gangetic plains. Dhana Nanda inherited his father's enormous fortune. On a standby he had 200,000 soldiers, 20,000 cavalry, 3000 elephants and 2000 chariots and thus was a powerful ruler. Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism were all practiced under the Nanda empire. There is no evidence against any religion.

                      

Cyclopean Wall of Rajgir, which encircled the former capital of Magadha.

The Nandas are described as adharmic in India's Puranas, suggesting that they did not follow the rules of Dharma, or good behaviour. Chandragupta Maurya, with the help of his guru Chanakya, overthrew the Nanda dynasty around 321 BC. A fight between Nanda General Bhaddasala and Chandragupta is mentioned in the Buddhist scripture Milinda Panha.

Coins of Nanda dynasty

                         

Karshapana, Magdha Empire, King Mahapadama Nanda, 346-321 BC, weight 2.5 gm, Obverse: punch marks of different symbols, Reverse: punch mark symbols including an elephant.

                         

Nanda Empire, Karshapana, 400-329 BC, silver, weight 3.3 gm, Obverse: Punch marks of Taurine, Elephant, animal and sun, Reverse: Blank.  

            

                         

Karshapana, Nanda Empire, 370-320 BC, silver, weight 3.2 gm, Obverse: Sun, animal on Chaitya, Chaitya and others, Reverse: Small punch marks like leaves in a tree.

                          

Nanda Empire, 400 BC, Karshapana, silver, weight 3.1 gm, Obverse: Punch marks, Taurin, sun, chakra, Reverse: Blank with one punch mark Magadha.

                         

Magadha, Nanda dynasty, Karshapana, 345-323 BC, Obverse: six punches including fish, sun, 6 arm symbol, Reverse: Blank.

                          

Magadha, Nanda dynasty, Karshapana,370-320 BC, silver, weight 3.0 gm, punch marks on Obverse.

                        

Magadha, Nanda dynasty, Karshapana, silver, weight 3.3 gm, Series I- series II, Obverse: Six-armed symbols, sun and others, Uniface.

                       

  

Magadha, Nanda, Karshapana, 368-346 BC, five punch marks.

Nanda Dynasty

Coins of Nanda Dynasty