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The History of India: Indo-Greek Empire

Although the Indian Historic Periods of Mauryan and Gupta are very well known, the History of the period lies in between these two commonly referred to as 'The Post-Mauryan Era' and is often forgotten.

Among the many powers that ruled India during this period, one of the most interesting rulers were the Indo-Greeks. the coexistence of the two of the greatest ancient civilizations was celebrated for a brief period in the Indo-Gangetic Plains, allowing a chance for the synthesis of the two rich cultures, philosophies, & languages. This series captures not only the lives of the kings, battles they fought, and regions they ruled but also the impact they had on the History and culture of the common Indians during and after their presence here.

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The series is available to watch for free on YouTube. Below is the complete playlist with all its episodes!

All Videos
Fall of Mauryan Empire and the Beginning of The Post-Mauryan Era | Episode 1 History of India
HISTORY OF BACTRIA and its links with India | Episode 2 History of Post-Mauryan India
ORIGIN OF GRECO-BACTRIA KINGDOM | Episode 3 History of Post-Mauryan India
Rise of Demetrius I | Episode 4 History of Post-Mauryan India: The Grec-Bactrian Kingdom
Menander & Story of 'Milinda Panha' | Episode 5 History of Post-Mauryan India: The Indo-Greek Empire
The Fall & Legacy of Indo-Greeks | Episode 6 History of Post-Mauryan India: The Indo-Greek Empire
Episode Guide

  • Fall of the Mauryan Empire and the Beginning of The Post-Mauryan Era: Leveraging on the power vacuum created by the fall of the Mauryan Empire, Greco-Bactria (Indo-Greeks) invades India.

  • History of Bactria and its links with India: Bactria was inhabited by Greeks and Indians both for more than a century before the fall of Mauryans. It was from here that Indo-Greek Empire would originate. This episode sets the context for the History of Indo-Greeks by telling the History of Bactria.

  • Origin of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom: Bactria was part of the Seleucid Empire. This Episode covers the story of when it seceded from it and began its own journey of becoming an Empire. 

  • Rise of Demetrius I: Demetrius I was the king and son of the the founder of Bactrian Kingdom. His diplomatic skills would gain kingdom legitimacy from Seleucid Empire and his Military skills would earn a large territory for it at the expense of Indian lands.

  • Menander & Story of 'Milinda Panha' Menander is a celebrated figure both in Greek sources, as a conquerer, and in Indian sources as a pious Buddhist. This Episode is about his story and impact.

  • The Fall & Legacy of Indo-Greeks Greeks remained in India very briefly. But during that period they left behind a legacy that would contribute to the culture, architecture, art, and science of India for centuries to come! This Episode captures their such legacy.

Sources
Contact

 

  • Ashokavadana

  • Kathasaritsagara

  • Strabo's Geographica

  • Yug Puran

  • Milinda Panha

  • Plutarch's Moralia

  • Justin (Roman Historian) Records

  • Numismatic and Archeological data (via Wikipedia)

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