Indo Greek Kingdom

From the 2nd century BC onwards, India was invaded by foreign invaders. The first of these was by the Bactrian Greeks. Bactria (northern Afghanistan), which had been under Greek rule during the time of Alexander, became an independent state in the 3rd century BC. However, the position of the Bactrian rulers was not secure. The Scythians (Sakans) of Central Asia were constantly threatening them. When the Scythian attacks intensified, the Bactrians were forced to move towards India.

The invasion of India was initiated by Demetrius, the ruler of Bactria. The Bactrians who invaded India became known as the Indo-Greeks or Bactrian Greeks. They occupied a large part of northwestern India in the early 2nd century BC. The Indo-Greeks, who had taken control of Punjab and Sindh, are said to have reached Pataliputra.

The most famous of the Indo-Greek rulers was Menander or Milinda. He ruled from 150 to 135 BC. He was able to consolidate Indo-Greek rule in northwestern India. Records say that Menander embraced Buddhism. He was converted to Buddhism by a Buddhist monk named Nagasena. The questions asked by Menander about Buddhism and the answers given by Nagasena to them are recorded in a book. The book is called 'Milinda Panha' or "Questions of Milinda".

The Indo-Greek kingdoms began to collapse with the invasion of the Saka in the 1st century BC. The Indo-Greek rule, which lasted for a century and a half, brought about important changes in Indian art and monetary system. Greek rule introduced Hellenistic art to India, and they built many magnificent buildings. They also introduced small and beautiful objects that displayed their craftsmanship.

The coins of the Indo-Greeks make them historically important. The Indo-Greeks were the first to issue gold coins in India. Coins were issued in the name of kings, and the coins bore images of kings and gods. The history of the Indo-Greeks is reconstructed mainly on the basis of their coins.