An analysis of Indo-Greek rule in post-Mauryan India: Particularly in the Gangetic realm (200 BCE-100 BCE)
Author(s): Preeti Kumari
Abstract: The Indo-Greek rule in post-Mauryan India, particularly between 200 BCE and 100 BCE, represents a transformative era marked by significant political, cultural, and economic exchanges. Although their direct political dominance was largely restricted to the northwestern frontiers of the subcontinent—mainly regions like Gandhara, Punjab, and parts of present-day Afghanistan—the influence of the Indo-Greeks extended far beyond territorial boundaries. Notably, their interactions with the Gangetic plains, the traditional epicenter of Indian political and cultural life, left a lasting imprint on trade, religion, coinage, and intellectual traditions. This period, immediately succeeding the fall of the Mauryan Empire, was characterized by a fragmentation of centralized authority and the emergence of regional powers, creating a fertile ground for foreign incursions and cross-cultural engagement. Among the earliest and most impactful of these were the Indo-Greek rulers, who brought with them elements of Hellenistic administration, numismatic sophistication, and artistic sensibilities. Historian Romila Thapar rightly emphasizes that "the Indo-Greeks were not merely invaders; they were also assimilators, absorbing Indian traditions while introducing new political and artistic currents" (Thapar, 2002, p. 156). Their engagement with the Indian milieu was not limited to conquest—it evolved into a complex process of cultural fusion, evident in the spread of Greco-Buddhist art, the issuance of bilingual coins, and the transmission of scientific and philosophical ideas. This paper, therefore, aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the Indo-Greek impact, with special emphasis on the Gangetic region, by exploring their political movements, trade networks, religious syncretism, and intellectual contributions during this crucial transitional phase of Indian history.
DOI: 10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i5a.405Pages: 49-52 | Views: 177 | Downloads: 111Download Full Article: Click Here
How to cite this article:
Preeti Kumari.
An analysis of Indo-Greek rule in post-Mauryan India: Particularly in the Gangetic realm (200 BCE-100 BCE). Int J Hist 2025;7(5):49-52. DOI:
10.22271/27069109.2025.v7.i5a.405
