The Nanda Empire was the first pan-Indian empire, renowned for its vast army and treasury; its final ruler Dhana Nanda was overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya, launching the Maurya dynasty.
The Nanda Empire was overthrown in c. 321 BCE when Chandragupta Maurya, aided by Chanakya, defeated the last Nanda king Dhana Nanda at Pataliputra, founding the Maurya Empire in its place.
Best modern account covering the Nanda Empire's brief but pivotal role in Indian imperial history.
Raychaudhuri's classic remains the standard political narrative of pre-Mauryan India, detailing the Nanda dynasty's power and Chandragupta's overthrow of Dhana Nanda.