In Ancient India, many significant empires evolved. One of them was the Mauryan empire. Founded by Chandragupta Maurya, the Mauryan empire was an important dynasty in our history. # The last of the Nanda rulers, Dhana Nanda was highly unpopular due to his oppressive tax regime. # Also, post-Alexander’s invasion of North-Western India, that region faced a lot of unrest from foreign powers. # Some of these regions came under the rule of the Seleucid Dynasty, founded by Seleucus Nicator I. He was one of the generals of Alexander the Great. # Chandragupta, with the help of an intelligent and politically astute Brahmin, Kautilya usurped the throne by defeating Dhana Nanda in 321 BC.