Foreign Invaders and Their Rule in India

           The Bactrian Greek Rulers

The territory situated across the Hindukush mountain was called Bactria, Balkh was the capital of the State of Bactria. Bactria was a prosperous state, and also known as an important centre of Greek civilisation. Balkh was the main centre of trade and commerce of middle Asia. In about 250 B.C. Diodotus, governor of Bactria, revolted against the rule of Antiochus I,grandson of Seleukus,and declared himself as an independent ruler of Bactria. But his military rule could not last long. The political discontent remained as before till 230 B.C. At last, Euthydemus,the inhabitants of Mongolia, ruined the dynasty which was Established by Diodotus. Euthydemus ascended the throne of Bactria. When he died in about 190B.C. He was succeeded by his able son Demetrius. He was great warrior and he adopted the policy of imperialism.

The Invasion of Demetrius

Demetrius was undoubtedly a powerful ruler of Bactria. He invaded India in about 184 B.C. The 'Mahabhashya' of Patanjali and 'Gargi Samhita' mention the attack of Yavanas. Probably he invaded his army into two parts-one was led by his son-in-law,general Menander to advance from the east towards Magadha. Demetrius himself advanced towards Pataliputra from the west. He also succeeded in conquering Sindh, Afghanistan and major parts of Punjab. It is said that he attacked Pataliputra too,but the Mauryan army checked his advanced under the able guidance of Pushyamitra Sunga, commander in chief of the Mauryan army.
Although Demetrius became successful in established a new kingdom in India, yet he had to leave his old empire of Bactria. While he was busy in the Indian invasion, a general named Eukratides revolted in about 175 B.C.with the help of the discontented Greeks, and captured the throne of Bactria.
Taxila was the capital of the kingdom of Eukratides,while East Punjab and Sindh were under the rule of Denmetrius.

Menander

The most famous and the greatest ruler of Indo-Greek dynasty was Menander. Probably he was the son-in-law of Demetrius. He was a great warrior and courageous ruler. When Demetrius invaded India, Menander helped him very much and led a part of the army. He ruled for a period of 20 years.
The coins of Menander have been found in the territory from Kabul to Ghazipur, and from Mathura to Bundelkhand. On the basis of his coins. It can be proved that Menander had a vast empire consisting of Kabul,Afghanistan,Punjab,Kathiawar,Rajputana,Bundelkhand and Mathura.
It is evident from a Buddhist texts 'Millinda Panha' that Menander was a follower of Buddhism. We also come to know from this book that Sakala (Sialkot) was the capital of the kingdom of Menander. It was very beautiful city. Menander led a pure life and adopted the path of goodness. He became very popular among the people and he was worshiped like God.

Antialkidas

This ruler belong to the family of Eukratides,who had established another Greek empire and Taxila was his capital.Antialkidas was also a famous king of the Indo-Greek dynasty.He died in 140 B.C. After his death the Indo-Greek empire began to decline due to weak successors.
Meanwhile,the Sakas, the Pallavas and the Kushanas began attacking India.The Greek rulers could not save their kingdom,and it was conquered by the Kushanas in about 50 B.C. Thus, the Indo-Kingdom was put to end for ever.

The Indo-Parthian Rulers

It has already been described that the province of Parthia had become independent in about 250 B.C. The rulers of this dynasty also followed the policy of imperialism and they began to conquer many parts of India.
Mithradates was the first ruler of Indo-Parthian dynasty,who conquered the provinces lying between the rivers Sindh and Jhelum. Gondophares was the most famous king of this dynasty but after his death,this dynasy began to decline day by day. At last this kingdom was annexed to the empire to the Kushanas.