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Eternal India
encyclopedia
LURE - THRU THE AGES
THE BACTRIAN GREEKS c. 158 B.C.
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
*
Antialcidas
*
Hermaeus
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.
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.
THE MAURYAN PERIOD 320 180 B.C.
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
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,