Who was the founder of the Nanda dynasty in ancient India, according to Puranic traditions?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Mahapadma Nanda is credited in Puranic traditions as the founder of the Nanda dynasty, overthrowing the preceding Shishunaga dynasty to establish a vast empire in northern India. While Dhana Nanda was the last ruler of this dynasty who faced defeat at the hands of Chandragupta Maurya, he was not the founder. Historical texts describe Mahapadma Nanda as 'Ekarat', signifying the sole sovereign who unified various regional principalities.