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:

Iranian Invasion (6th Century BCE):
Under Darius I, parts of northwestern India (Punjab and Sindh) were annexed into the Achaemenid Empirearound 518 BCE.
Administrative Influence:
The Persians introduced satrapy (provincial governance), efficient tax systems, and communication networks, influencing later Indian administrative systems.
Alexander’s Invasion (326 BCE):
Alexander the Great invaded India through the Khyber Pass, defeating King Porus at the Battle of the Hydaspes (Jhelum).
Cultural and Trade Exchange:
Indo-Greek contact began, fostering Hellenistic influence in Indian art (Gandhara School), coinage, and astronomy.
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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