Question

Why did Puranas describe Mahapadma Nanda as sarva-kshatrantaka ?

• A. Because he was an able administrator.
• B. Because he was an able warrior who ended up destroying several Kshatriya empires.
• C. Because he was Kshatriya.
• D. Because of his noble character.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Because he was an able warrior who ended up destroying several Kshatriya empires.

Mahapadma Nanda was a Shudra by birth who assumed kingship after killing his father. The Puranas described him as Sarva-kshatrantaka, which means the destroyer of all Kshatriyas as he had exterminated various famous Kshatriya kings like Maithalas, Kasheyas, Ikshvakus etc.