The practice of granting tax-free villages to Brahmanas and Buddhist monks is a significant aspect of ancient Indian history. This practice was adopted by several dynasties, but it was the Satavahana dynasty that is credited with starting this tradition.

1. Understanding the Context: During the ancient period in India, land grants became a way for rulers to express their generosity and support religious communities. These grants often came with certain privileges, including exemption from tax.
2. The Satavahana Dynasty: The Satavahana dynasty, which ruled central India and parts of the Deccan from around 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE, is known for pioneering the system of land grants. This dynasty is historically significant for establishing a system where land could be granted to religious figures, such as Brahmanas and Buddhist monks, supporting their religious and educational endeavors without the burden of taxation.
3. Ruling Out Other Options:
   • The Nanda Dynasty: Predated the Satavahanas and was not prominently known for such practices.
   • The Maurya Dynasty: While influential, especially under Emperor Ashoka who supported Buddhism, there is no significant evidence pointing directly to them starting the tradition of tax-free village grants.
   • The Gupta Dynasty: While they did continue the practice, credit for initiating it goes to the Satavahanas.
4. Conclusion: Based on historical records, the Satavahana dynasty was indeed the first to institutionalize the granting of tax-free villages to religious figures, setting a precedent that subsequent rulers and dynasties followed. Thus, the correct answer is the Satavahana dynasty.

Understanding these historical traditions helps us comprehend the socio-religious dynamics and the administrative practices of ancient Indian empires.