Mahapadma Nanda

Mahapadma Nanda overthrew the Shishunaga dynasty to establish the Nanda Empire. He is described in Puranic texts as the first emperor of a unified northern India, conquering many kingdoms and creating the first large-scale imperial state in the region.

Mahapadma Nanda led a military campaign against Kalinga (modern Odisha), annexing it into the Nanda Empire. This conquest extended Nanda control to the eastern coast and gave access to maritime trade routes.

Mahapadma Nanda accumulated enormous wealth through conquest and taxation, becoming known as the richest ruler of his time. The Nanda treasury was legendary, containing vast amounts of gold and silver, which later funded Alexander's invasion of India.

Mahapadma Nanda commanded a massive army reportedly consisting of 200,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry, 2,000 chariots, and 3,000 elephants. This military force was the largest in India at the time and deterred Alexander the Great from advancing further east.