Indo-Greeks
1. Introduction
The post-Mauryan period saw the emergence of small indigenous and
foreign kingdoms. Hence this period has been designated as the ‘Age of
small kingdoms’ . In eastern India, central India and the Deccan, the
Mauryas were succeeded by number of Native rulers such as the
Sungas, the Kanvas, and the Satavahanas. In north-western India, the
Mauryas were succeeded by a number of ruling dynasties from Central
Asia. The Greeks were the first to extend power over North-Western
India. This period is notable for intimate and widespread contacts
between Central Asia and India.
2. Indo-Greeks
The Greeks were known as Yavanas in the Indian literature. They
were the rulers of Bactria, lying south of the Oxus in the area covered
by north of Afghanistan. The Greeks of Bactria were originally Satraps
(subordinate rulers) of the Seleucid empire of West Asia. In about the
middle of 3rd century BCE, Diodotus I revolted against the Seleucids
and established an independent kingdom. The Bactrian’s extended their
control into other areas as well. By the early 2nd century BCE, they had
moved into the area south of the Hindu Kush. On account of growing
pressure from the Scythian tribes, the later Greek rulers were unable to
hold their power. In the middle of 2nd century they lost their hold over
Bactria, but continued to rule in the north-western part of the sub-
continent for a few decades. The Bactrian Greeks who ruled over parts
of North-west India are known as Indo-Greeks or Indo-Bactrians.
Demetrius I (180-165BCE) son of Euthydemus I was the person who
was responsible, after Alexander the Great, to carry Greek arms into
the interior of India. His Indian expedition became the first of the series
of the consequent Bactrian Greek invasions of India. Demetrius crossed
the Hindu Kush Mountain with large army and conquered the regions
of Punjab and Sindh. His coins bear legends in Greek and Prakrit
written in Greek and Kharoshthi. He made Sakala (Sialkot in Punjab) his
capital.
The names of many Indo-Greek rulers are known from their coins.
However, the details of their reigns, their sequence and chronology and
the extent of their political control remain rather nebulous.
Demetrius I, Demetrius II, Appolodotus, Pataleon and Agathocles
were responsible for extending Bactrian rule to the south of the Hindu
Kush into north-western India. But the Greeks failed to establish united
rule in India. Two Greek dynasties ruled north-western India on
parallel lines at one and the same time. They are Euthydemus
(Demetrius) and Eukratides.
Menander was the most famous of the Indo-Greeks (165 to 145 BCE).
He was known as Milinda in Indian tradition. He ruled for a long time
from his capital Sakala and his coins represent him in all stages of his
life, from youth to old age. His kingdom, at its peak, covered an area
extending from Kabul to Mathura. He was converted to Buddhism by
Nagasena. Menander asked Nagasena many questions relating to
Buddhism. These questions and Nagasena’s answers were recorded in a
book known as Milindapanho or the Questions of Milinda.
Menander was succeeded by impotent kings. Apollodotus, one of his
successors, conquered Indus valley and Gujarat and at its widest, his
territory extended from Barygaza to Kapisa and Gandhara. But
Apollodotus was defeated by Eucratides who in turn was assassinated
by his own son Heliocles. The Greek influence in India lasted for more
than a century after the death of Menander. Rulers of this space
included queen Agathokleia and her son Strato whose joint coin issues
have been found.
Eucratides advanced towards India and made Taxila as capital after
conquering some part of the north-western region. A protracted feud
between the ruling houses of Euthydemus and Eukratides began after
the reign of Demetrius I. Kings Amyntus, Antialcidas, Archebius and
Hermaeus belong to the house of Eukratides.
Antialcidas belonged to the house of Eucratides, is found referred in
an inscription at Besnagar near Bhilsa. The Besnagar Garuda pillar
inscription suggests that the rule of Antialcidas extended upto Taxila.
Heliodorus is described as a native of the city. Heliodorus was deputed
by the king to the court of Kasiputra Bhagabhadra as ambassador. It is
stated in the inscription that the pillar was erected in honour of
Vasudeva. It is the earliest reference to the existence of Vaishnavism in
ancient India. Heliodorus was the first foreigner to embrace
Vaishnavism. It also indicates one of the stages in the evolution of
Bhakti movement in India.
The Parthian defeat of Hermaeus signaled the end of Greek rule in
Bactria and south of the Hindu Kush.
