The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c18.178

c18.178

A tradition recorded in an inscription of the twelfth century states that Kuntala, a province which included the western Deccan and the north of Mysore, was ruled by the Nandas, and the Kadamba kings claimed descent from Nanda.¹ The Nanda dynasty undoubtedly was extremely powerful, and it would be rash to maintain that the tradition must be baseless. If there be any truth in it, the northern attack on the south began long before the time of Bindusāra. With this brief glance the shadowy figure of Bindusāra passes from our view, and the next two chapters will be devoted to the history of Asoka, who rightfully claims a place in the front rank of the great monarchs, not only of India, but of the world.