Eternal India Encyclopedia

LURE - THRU THE AGES

Eternal India encyclopedia

THE BACTRIAN GREEKS c. 158 B.C. Wars * Revolt of Bactria against Seleucus under Diodotos I. * War between Antiochus of Syria and Subhaga Sena 223-187 B.C. * Antiochus Ill's invasion of India-206 B.C. * Capture of the throne of Bactria by Eucrat- ides from Demertius * Occupation of Bactria by the Scythians 135 B.C. * Defeat of Menander by Prince Vasumitra. Menander 155-130 B .C.: Menander was the greatest of the Indo-Greek kings; he was born at Kalasi near Sakala (Sialkot-Pakistan). The Greek writers inform us that he was a great conqueror and is stated to have conquered more nations than Alexander; this is evident from the great varieties of coins issued by him (found near Delhi and Kabul). He ruled at Sagala (Sialkot) and his kingdom included most of the Punjab and extended from Kabul to Kathiawar. He made an attempt to conquer Magadha, captured Mathura and dared Patali- putra. It is believed that the Yavanas, under his leadership, penetrated as far as Central India where he was defeated by Prince Vasumitra on the river Sindhu. He was killed probably in the battle against Sakas or Scythians from Central Asia. Menander was a great patron of Buddhism and he himself converted to Buddhism.

Overview * The Bactrian Greeks established their king- dom between the Oxus and the Hindukush. * They invaded Punjab and established them- selves in Punjab. * Basically they were Greeks but later they adopted Indian customs. * Menander was their famous king. * Royal patronage was given to Buddhism. Advent * Bactria was a part of Seleucid empire in India. In about 250 B.C. Bactria under Diodotos, revolted against Antiochus II (grandson of Seleucus) and became inde- pendent. Chronology

* Diodotos I * Diodotos II * EuthydemusI * Demertius * Eucratides * Heliocles * Apollodotus * Menander

* Strato I * Strato II

Buddhist texts praise him and describe his reign as prosperous; he was also looked upon by Buddhists as a great saint, and his ashes were preserved under stupas.

* Antialcidas * Hermaeus

THE MAURYAN PERIOD 320 180 B.C.

was very barbaric, the war took its toll of 100,000 people, 150,000 people were taken as prisoners (major rock edict of Asoka XIII), the deaths and sufferings caused by the war changed the life of Asoka; he renounced war and became a Buddhist. “The conquest of Kalinga was a great landmark in the history of Magadha and India. It marked the close of a career of conquest and aggrandisement which was ushered in by Bimbisara's annexation of Anga. It opened a new era of peace, social progress, religious propaganda, political stagnation and military inefficiency. The era of military conquests and Digvijaya was over and the era of spiritual conquests or Dharmavijaya was about to begin. After the war.... he dedicated the rest of his life to the cause of Dharma or law of piety” (Dr. Rayachaudhuri). He was a Shaivite but after the war he became a Buddhist; encouraged Buddhists, appointed Dharma- mahamatras to propagate Buddhism. He sent ambassadors to Egypt, Syria, Macedonia; he was also tolerant of other religions ( Bahu ShrutiY,

Overview * The accession of Chandragupta Maurya. * Seleucus invades India but is defeated. * Visit of Megasthenes to Pataliputra. * The Golden age of Asoka. * The 14 rock edicts, pillar edicts of Asoka. * Buddhist Council of Pataliputra. Ill Bud- dhist Council (250 B.C.) * The 'Arthashastra' of Kautilya and the ’Indica’ of Megasthenes, besides monuments, pillars and inscriptions of Asoka are the main sources of information. Advent (* refer Note pg.H-11) * The Mauryan empire was founded by Chan- dragupta Maurya after driving out the Greek garrisons left by Alexander the Great of Macedonia and uprooting of Nandas. * Controlled much of North India from c. 322-183 B.C. It was Chanakya, the Prime Minister of Chandragupta Maurya, who was responsible for the uprooting of Nan- das by Chandragupta and the creation of Mauryan empire.

Achievements * The first dynasty to control a major por- tion of the Indian sub-continent. * Driving away of Greek garrisons from India.

* Political stability in northern India.

Chronology * Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 B.C.) * Bindusara (299-274B.C.) * Asoka (273-236B.C.) Asoka (273-236 B.C.) Asoka was a great king not only in the history of India but also of the whole world; the chief source of information about him is through his inscriptions and Buddhist literature. After the death of his father Bindusara, Asoka captured the throne after a brief war of succession with his brother Susima; not much is known about the early years of his reign; with the idea of capturing Kalinga he invaded it during the 13th year of his rule in 261 B.C; the capture of Kalinga