Iranian (Persian) & Macedonian (Greek) Invasion

Iranian (Persian) & Macedonian (Greek) Invasion

Persian Invasion (550 BC)

• Contemporary to reign of Bimbisara, Persian attacked N-W front of India & Magadha continued to rise in N-E & Central-north in India.
• In N-W front of India, several small provinces like Kamboja, Gandhara & Madra did not have a political unity & continuously fought with each other.
• Archaemadian ruler of Iran, Cyprus took advantage of this political disunity & invaded west front of India.
• All Indian tribes west of Indus River submitted to him including Gandhar
• Darius 1, Grandson of Cyprus conquered Indus valley as a whole & annexed Punjab & Sindh (N W India)
• Xerxes, Successor of Darius, employed Indian infantry & cavalry in war against Greece but got defeated & hence could not move forward in India. However, control of Persians over India slackened only after Alexander’s invasion on India.

Effects of Persian Invasion

• Impetus to Indo Iranian commerce & trade, which finally became the ground for Alexander’s invasion
• Use of Kharoshti script bought by Iranian gain popularity in N-W India & some inscription of Ashoka (250 BC) are written in this language (derived from Aramaic script, written from right to left)
• Influence of Persian art in India, particularly monolithic pillars, & sculptures found on them along with inscriptions.

Also read: Jainism & Buddhism , Mahajanapadas Rise of Magadha & Mayuran Empire 321-184 – B.C.

Alexander’s Invasion (327 BC)

After 2 centuries of Persian invasion, Alexander from Macedonia invaded India. Alexander conquered minor Asia along with Iraq & Iran and from Iran he marched into India.

• Alexander conquered whole of Persia by defeating Darius 3 in battle of Arabela (330 BC).
• Herodotus, Father of history, wrote that fabulous wealth of India attracted Alexander & moreover his interest in Geographical enquiry & love of natural history urged him to invade India
• Alexander believed that on eastern side of India lies continuation of the sea & hence by conquering India, he would conquer eastern boundary of the world.
• After conquest of Iran, he marched into India through Khyber Pass 327 BC & crossed Indus in 326 BC.
• Ambhi, the ruler of taxila readily submitted to him but Porus whose kingdom lay between Jhelum & Chenab refused to submit to Alexander

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Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum)

• Although Porus had a vast army & fought bravely, but he lost to Alexander
• Alexander, impressed by the bravery of Indian prince reinstated him to his throne and made him his ally.

• Then he advanced as far as river Beas, he wanted to move further but war weary, diseased, Hot weather of India & 10 year of continuous fighting led to the refusal of Greek soldiers to move further (Refusal also came because of the enormous power of Nandas of Magadha).
• Hence, Alexander divided his conquered territories into 3 Parts & placed them under 3 Greek governors.

Effect of Alexander’s Invasion

• 1^st contact b/w Europe & India paved the way for increased trade & commerce
• Encouraged political unification of India under Mauryas

Alexander’s authority in Indus valley was short lived because of expansion of Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta maurya.

✅ 5 Key Points – Iranian & Macedonian Invasions:

1. Iranian Invasion (6th Century BCE):
   Under Darius I, parts of northwestern India (Punjab and Sindh) were annexed into the Achaemenid Empirearound 518 BCE.

2. Administrative Influence:
   The Persians introduced satrapy (provincial governance), efficient tax systems, and communication networks, influencing later Indian administrative systems.

3. Alexander’s Invasion (326 BCE):
   Alexander the Great invaded India through the Khyber Pass, defeating King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes (Jhelum).

4. Cultural and Trade Exchange:
   Indo-Greek contact began, fostering Hellenistic influence in Indian art (Gandhara School), coinage, and astronomy.

5. Political Vacuum & Rise of Mauryas:
   After Alexander’s retreat and the weakening of local rulers, Chandragupta Maurya seized the opportunity to establish the Maurya Empire, unifying much of India.

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