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Tuesday 18 November 2014

Indo-Greek Rulers of Ancient India

We should know that during the last two centuries of BC era, Northwest and northern Indian subcontinent was ruled by more than 30 Hellenistic kings. The knowledge about these has been attained via the coins issued by them. The areas under these Hellenistic Kings were Taxila, Pakistan's, Punjab Pushkalavati (Peshavar) & Sagala.

  • Indo-Greek rulers have been mentioned ''Yavanas'' in the Indian literature.

Some of the kings of indo-Greek dynasties are briefed here.

Antiochus II

  • Approximately in 250 BC, Diodotus, who was a governor of Bacteria, proclaimed his independence. He was one of the first such independent rulers.
  • Antiochus II, who was a king of the Hellenistic Seleucid kingdom, marched towards India and defeated the India king Subhagsena is Kabul in around 206 BC.

Demetrius I of the Bactria (2000-180 BC)

Apollodotus I

Apollodotus II

  • Apollodotus II ruled in Punjab 80-65 BC and was an important ruler.
  • He is said to have re-conquered the Taxila. He seems to be of same dynasty of which meander belonged to.

Menander II

  • Menander II reigned around 90-85 BC in Gandhara, north of modern Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan.
  • It was Meander who has been mentioned as the mighty Yavana King of Sakala.
  • His capital Sakala was located in modern Punjab and refers to Sialkot, Pakistan
  • In the ''Milindapanho'' dialogues between the Meander II and Nagasena have been recorded.
  • He was Buddhist indo-Greek ruler and is the only indo-Greek ruler who is greatly respected in India.
  • The coins of Meander have been engraved with "Dhammachakka" of Buddhism.
  • He issued Gold Coins also and one of the coins are known as "Athene Promachus".

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