ইন্দো-গ্রীক
প্রথম ডায়োডোটাস ও দ্বিতীয় ডায়োডোটাস এর পরবর্তী শাসক ছিলেন ইউথাইডেমাস (আনুমানিক খৃ:পূ: ২১২-১৯০)। তার রাজত্বকালে অথবা তার পুত্র ডেমেট্রিয়াসের রাজত্বকালে ব্যাকট্রিয় গ্রিকগণ উপমহাদেশের উত্তর-পশ্চিমাংশে অভিযান শুরু করেন। এই অভিযানের ধারা সম্ভবত অব্যাহত ছিল পরবর্তী ইন্দো-গ্রিক শাসক অ্যাপোলোডোটাস, প্যান্টালিওন, আগাথোক্লেশের আমলে। উপমহাদেশের উত্তর-পশ্চিমাংশের উপর অধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠার দরুন ইন্দো-গ্রিক শাসকগন তাদের মুদ্রায় ভারতীয় লিপি খরোষ্ঠী ও ব্রাহ্মী ব্যবহার করেছিলেন এবং ভারতীয় দেবদেবীর মূর্তি উৎকীর্ণ করেছিলেন। উত্তর-পশ্চিম এলাকা থেকে রাজস্থানের মধ্যমিকা, গাঙ্গেয় উপত্যাকার সাকেত, পাঞ্চাল এবং সম্ভবত পাটলিপুত্র পর্যন্ত অভিযান করতে এইসব ব্যাকট্রিয় গ্রিক রাজারা সফল হয়েছিলেন।
Indo-Greeks
At the very end of the Maurya dynasty, during the reign of Pushyamitra, we learn about the conquest of Saket and Madhyamika by Yavana (Greek) kings. These Greek rulers were separated from mainland Greece. During Alexander’s invasion, many Greeks came to the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent and, under the leadership of Alexander’s general Seleucus, established an empire known as the Seleucid Empire. The main center of this empire was in Syria, and it included two provinces or satrapies: Bactria and Parthia. Around 250 BCE, during the reign of Antiochus, these two provinces rebelled. The rebellion in Bactria was led by Diodotus. Finally, towards the end of that century, the Seleucid ruler Antiochus III acknowledged the independence of Bactria and Parthia, marking the beginning of Greek rule in Bactria. After losing control of Bactria (which fell to the Shakas), the Greek rulers of the Bactrian branch established dominion over several regions in northwestern India, earning them the title of Indo-Greek rulers.
After Diodotus I and Diodotus II, the next ruler was Euthydemus (circa 212–190 BCE). During his reign, or that of his son Demetrius, the Greeks of Bactria began campaigns in the northwestern part of the subcontinent. This campaign likely continued under subsequent Indo-Greek rulers such as Apollodotus, Pantaleon, and Agathocles. Due to their control over the northwestern parts of the subcontinent, the Indo-Greek rulers used Indian scripts, Kharosthi and Brahmi, on their coins, and engraved images of Indian deities. These Bactrian Greek kings succeeded in campaigning from the northwest region to Madhyamika in Rajasthan, Saket in the Gangetic valley, Panchala, and possibly Pataliputra.
Meanwhile, internal conflicts emerged among the Bactrian Greeks. According to Justin, an ambitious general named Eucratides defeated Demetrius and took control of Bactria, proclaiming himself its ruler. However, Bactria soon came under the rule of the Shakas, and the Eucratid dynasty was expelled from the region. The two factions of Bactrian Greeks, despite their internal rivalry, were able to establish dominance over parts of India, and are considered the true Indo-Greek rulers.
Among the Indo-Greek rulers, Menander (also known as Milinda in Pali texts) is recognized as the greatest. It remains unclear to which branch of the Indo-Greek rulers he belonged, and there is some debate regarding the exact period of his rule. Dinesh Chandra Sarkar suggests that he ruled between 115 BCE and 90 BCE, while A.K. Majumdar believes it was between 140 BCE and 130 BCE. Menander undoubtedly ruled parts of Afghanistan and northwestern India, and may have held control over parts of eastern and southern Arachosia (Kandahar). He governed key cities such as Pushkalavati and Taxila in Gandhara, with his capital likely at Sakala or Sialkot. A.K. Majumdar suggests that Menander allied with Mathura and Panchala and launched a campaign against Pataliputra. It is also known that he expanded his territory beyond the Vipasha (Beas) River and governed with the support of loyal subordinate kings. Menander’s political influence thus spread over a vast area of India.
Under Menander, the power of the Indo-Greek rulers reached its peak. However, after his death (circa 130 BCE), Greek rule began to decline rapidly, with internal conflicts among the Greeks being a major factor. The next notable Indo-Greek ruler after Menander was Strato I, who, in his early years, ruled jointly with his mother Agathokleia due to his young age and later reigned independently. A.K. Majumdar believes that Strato I was likely overthrown by his brother Apollodotus and later ruled jointly with his grandson Strato II after 95 BCE. Apollodotus, however, was the next significant Indo-Greek ruler after Menander, and his rule extended over Kapisa, Gandhara, Sindh, and Barugaza.
The last notable Indo-Greek ruler was Antialcidas. His coins and an inscription found in Besnagar, Bhopal, indicate that he sent an envoy to the court of the king at Besnagar and erected a Garuda pillar there in honor of Vishnu. Antialcidas maintained his rule over Taxila, and he kept good relations with the rulers of central India.
After Antialcidas, the remaining Indo-Greek rulers entered into conflicts with the Shakas. The Shakas gradually seized Greek-held territories, leading to the decline of the Indo-Greeks. Hermaeus was the last Indo-Greek ruler, governing in the Kabul Valley and contemporary with Kujula Kadphises. Nonetheless, the Indo-Greek rule holds great significance in Indian history, particularly for the Greek influence on Indian culture, such as the impact on Gandhara art in northwestern and western India.
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