The Indo-Greeks

After the fall of the Mauryans, there was the emergence of brahmanical dynasties like Sungas and Kanvas which ruled for few years. But the most important development in the post Mauryan period was the arrival of foreign tribal groups into India. Most of these belonged to the category of Indo-Greeks, while some groups came from Iran and Afghanistan and also China. There was the emergence of new dynasties like the Kalinga royal family and Satavahanas in the deccan.

INDO-GREEKS
During 200 B.C. there were many invasions. The Indo-Greeks from the region of Afghanistan began the attack of Indian territories. The weak successors of Asoka were not in a position to fight against this invasion by the Bactrians. But the Greeks could not establish a permanent rule in India. The most famous king among them was King Menander also called Milinda who wrote Milindapanha or ‘The Questions of King Milinda’. He supported Buddhism. The Indo- Greek kings issued large number of coins. They were the first to issue gold coins in India. The Indians learned the Greek style of art which is found in Gandhara style of art.

THE SAKAS
The Greeks were followed by the Shakas who established their powers in different regions of India. The Indian kings could not show much resistance against the Shakas. But in 58 B.C. it is said that King Vikramaditya defeated the Shakas. The most famous Shaka ruler in India was Rudradaman I.

THE PARTHIANS
They came from Iran. In the Indian texts they are also termed as Shaka-Pahlavas. The most famous Parthian king was Gondophornes. It is said that during his rule St. Thomas visited India for the propagation of Christianity. Later the Shakas and Parthians became part and parcel of Indian society and polity.

THE KUSHANAS
Initially they were known as the Yuechi tribe which came from China as they were defeated and compelled to move towards India. Since they lost their territories they invaded territories of India and settled in some parts of India.

Among the Kushanas, Kanishka was a great monarch. The Kushanas controlled the regions of central Asia including central India. Kanishka started an era in A.D. 78. It is known as the Shaka era. Kanishka was a great patron of Buddhism. The Kushanas could control important trade routes and as a result trade and commerce prospered. Particularly ,the traders maintained contact with the Roman traders. The Kushana inscriptions mention the different trading communities. It is said that the Indian traders earned 100 per cent profit in trade. Under the Kushanas there existed the system of taxation and other features of the state. But after the death of Kanishka by 2nd century A.D. the Kushana empire declined.

Reference:

1. A.K. Narain, The Indo-Greeks, Oxford, 1957.
  2. Romila Thapar, A History of India, Volume I, Penguin Books, England, 1985.