Indo-Greek Rulers Questions & Answers | Indo-Greek Kingdom MCQs

1. Mauryans
2. Shungas
3. Indo-Greeks
4. Parthians

Answer: Indo-Greeks

The Indo-Greeks introduced the practice of military governorship in the Indian subcontinent. These governors were known as “strategos” or “satraps.” This administrative concept allowed them to rule different regions and oversee military and civil matters.

1. Indo-Greeks
2. Gupta
3. Mauryan
4. Satavahanas

Answer: Indo-Greeks

1. Demetrius
2. Menander
3. Hermaeus
4. None of the above

Answer: Hermaeus

Explanation – Hermaius was the last ruler of the Indo-Greek dynasty. Around the last quarter of the 2nd century BCE, he was defeated by the Parthians, leading to the end of Greek rule in Bactria and the area to the south of the Hindu Kush.

Choose the correct option:

1. (a), (b) and (c) only
2. (b), (c) and (d) only
3. (b) and (d) only
4. (c) and (d) only

Answer: (c) and (d) only

1. Gandhara
2. Sakala
3. Taxila
4. Peshawar

Answer: Sakala

Menander’s capital was located at Sakala, modern-day Sialkot in Punjab, Pakistan. He is credited with invading and briefly conquering the Ganga-Yamuna doab region.

1. Euthydemus I
2. Demetrius I
3. Pantaleon
4. Agathocles

Answer: Pantaleon

1. Greeks- Sakas- Sungas
2. Greeks- Kushanas- Sakas
3. Sakas- Greeks- Kushanas
4. Greeks- Sakas- Kushanas

Answer: Greeks- Sakas- Kushanas

1. Sialkot
2. Pathankot
3. Rajkot
4. Sialdah

Answer: Sialkot

Explanation – Menander I, also known as Milinda or Minedra, was a famous Indo-Greek ruler. He established his capital at Sakala (modern-day Sialkot). Menander is particularly renowned for his conversion to Buddhism and his conversations with the Buddhist monk and philosopher Nagasena, which are recorded in the book “Milindapanho” or “The Questions of Milinda.”

1. Antialcidas Nikephoros
2. Seleucus Nicator
3. Alexander
4. Constantine

Answer: Antialcidas Nikephoros

Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialcidas Nikephoros of Taxila in the court of Sunga King Bhagbhadra. He erected the famous votive Heliodorus pillar around 110 BC near Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.

1. Demetrius
2. Menander
3. Hermaius
4. None of the above

Answer: Menander

Explanation – Menander/Milinda/Minedra was the most celebrated Indo-Greek ruler. He not only stabilized Indo-Greek power in India but also extended his empire’s frontiers in India.

1. Bilingual

2. Bi-script

3. Precise economic value

Choose the right option

1. Only 1 and 2
2. Only 2 and 3
3. Only 1 and 3
4. All 1, 2, and 3

Answer: All 1, 2, and 3

Explanation – Indo-Greek coinage featured bilingual and bi-script legends. These coins were notable for their precision in denoting economic value and provided insights into emerging religious sects and cults in the region. The legends often included Greek and Indian languages, making them valuable historical artifacts.

1. Bilingual

2. Bi-script

3. Precise economic value

Choose the right option

1. Apollodotus I
2. Antimachus II
3. Demetrius I
4. Euthydemus I

Answer: Demetrius I

1. Shakas
2. Kushans
3. Indo-Greeks
4. Parthians

Answer: Indo-Greeks

The Indo-Greeks were the first rulers in India to issue coins that can be definitively attributed to any dynasty. They minted a variety of coins, including gold, silver, copper, and nickel. Their coins often featured bilingual and bi-script legends, providing valuable historical and cultural information.

1. Zoilos I
2. Demetrius III
3. Menander I
4. Eucratides

Answer: Menander I

I. He ruled over vast territory from the Hindu-Kush to the Punjab around 170 BCE.

II. He issued bilingual bronzes with aegis / laurel wreath and palm. Both these and the goddess Nike seem to allude to his epithet "the Victorious".

Which of the above statement (s) is/are correct?

Code:

1. Only I
2. Only II
3. Both I and II
4. Neither I nor II

Answer: Neither I nor II

1. They carried minimal details about their issuing authority
2. They were struck according to Attic weight standard.
3. Indo- Greeks were the first rulers to issue gold coins in India.
4. More than one of the above

Answer: They carried minimal details about their issuing authority

1. Zoilos I
2. Demetrius III
3. Menander I
4. Eucratides

Answer: Zoilos I

1. The Kushanas were the first dynasty in the subcontinent that issued a large number of gold coins.
2. The lower denomination was usually found in copper coins.
3. The coins usually bore the figure, name, and title of the deities on the obverse and the ruler on the reverse.
4. The legends are either entirely in Greek, or in some cases in Kharoshthi on the reverse.

Answer: The coins usually bore the figure, name, and title of the deities on the obverse and the ruler on the reverse.

1. Euthydemus I
2. Demetrius I
3. Pantaleon
4. Agathocles

Answer: Agathocles

1. Nagasena
2. Gautam Buddha
3. Shakyamuni
4. Mahadharmaraksita

Answer: Nagasena

The Indo-Greek king, Milinda (or Menander I), was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena (or Nagarjuna), a Buddhist monk and philosopher. Their conversations and discussions are recorded in the book called “Milindapanho” or “The Questions of Milinda.”

1. Demetrius
2. Hermaius
3. Darius
4. Milinda

Answer: Milinda

The period between 165 BCE – 145 BCE is associated with the rule of Menander/Milinda/Minedra. The empire of Menander extended over parts of both Bactria and northwestern India.

1. Apollodotus I
2. Agathocles
3. Antimachus II
4. Menander I

Answer: Apollodotus I

1. Demetrius
2. Alexander
3. Seleucus Nicator II
4. Menander

Answer: Demetrius

Demetrius, the King of Bactria, invaded India around 190 BCE and conquered a significant part of the Mauryan Empire in the north-western regions. He came into conflict with Pushyamitra Shunga, the founder of the Shunga Dynasty.

1. Euthydemus I
2. Demetrius I
3. Pantaleon
4. Agathocles

Answer: Demetrius I

I. Indo-Greek rulers were the one whose coins carried the portrait of kings and their names.

II. They were the first rulers to issue gold coins.

III. Gandhara School of Art was developed under Indo-Greeks.

Which of the above statement (s) is/are correct?

Code:

1. Only I
2. Only II
3. Only III
4. All of the above

Answer: All of the above

1. Indo-Greeks
2. Indo-Scythians
3. Indo-Parthians
4. Kushans

Answer: Indo-Greeks

The Indo-Greeks played a pivotal role in introducing new features of Hellenistic art and literature to the Indian subcontinent. The most notable of these artistic contributions is Gandhara art, which was influenced by both Greek and Indian cultural elements. It is characterized by sculptures with distinct Hellenistic features and themes from Indian religious traditions, primarily Buddhism.

1. Menander
2. Demetrius
3. Gondophernes
4. Hermaius

Answer: Menander

Menander or Milinda was converted to Buddhism by Nagasena. He is identified with the King Milinda mentioned in the famous Buddhist text “Milindapanho” (Questions of Milinda).

1. Menander
2. Demetrius
3. Gondophernes
4. None of the above

Answer: Demetrius

Demetrius, the King of Bactria, invaded India around 190 BCE and came into conflict with Pushyamitra Shunga. He conquered a significant part of the Mauryan Empire.

1. Yavanas
2. Maitrai
3. Yaksha
4. Naumiksh

Answer: Yavanas

(a) Arrian

(b) Diodoras

(c) Heliodoras

(d) Herodotus

Choose the correct option:

1. (a), (b) and (d) only
2. (b), (c) and (d) only
3. (a) and (d) only
4. (a) and (b) only

Answer: (a) and (b) only

Statement I: Greeks were the first outsiders to invade and establish a united rule in India.

Statement II: They introduced the features of Hellenistic art in India.

1. Both statements are individually true and statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
2. Both statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
3. Statement I is true but Statement II is false
4. Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Answer: Statement I is false but Statement II is true

1. Sonipat
2. Bhiwani
3. Rohtak
4. None of these

Answer: Rohtak

1. Sakas and Kushans adopted the cultural elements like script, language or religion from India.
2. Coins are the main source of information about Indo-Greek rulers.
3. Greeks were the first outsiders to invade and establish a united rule in India.
4. More than one of the above.

Answer: Greeks were the first outsiders to invade and establish a united rule in India.

1. Megasthenes
2. Heliodoros
3. Theodorus
4. Plato

Answer: Heliodoros

The Greek ambassador Heliodoros, representing the Indo-Greek king Antialkidas Nikephoros of Taxila, was sent to the court of Sunga King Bhagbhadra. Around 110 BC, Heliodoros erected a famous votive pillar in honor of Vishnu (Vasudev) at Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh. This inscription, known as the Heliodoros pillar, is considered one of the earliest known references to Vishnu and reflects cultural exchanges between the Greeks and Indians.

1. Milindapanho
2. Panhomenanda
3. Nagapanho
4. Menandapanho

Answer: Milindapanho

The conversations between Nagasena and Menander-I, which were related to Buddhism, are recorded in the book called “Milindapanho” or “The Questions of Milinda.”

1. Sakas
2. Indo-Greeks
3. Kushanas
4. Bactrians

Answer: Indo-Greeks

The period between 165 BCE and 145 BCE is associated with the rule of Menander, also known as Milinda or Minedra. He played a crucial role in stabilizing Indo-Greek power in India and expanding the empire’s frontiers in parts of both Bactria and northwestern India.

1. Bhagbhadra
2. Devabhuti
3. Pushyamitra Shunga
4. Ghosha

Answer: Bhagbhadra

Heliodorus was the Greek ambassador sent to the court of Sunga King, Bhagbhadra, by the Greek King of Taxila, Antialkidas.

1. They carried minimal details about their issuing authority
2. They were struck according to Attic weight standard.
3. Indo- Greeks were the first rulers to issue gold coins in India.
4. The coins were struck on different metals like silver, gold, copper and nickel

Answer: They carried minimal details about their issuing authority

(a) Arrian

(b) Diodoras

(c) Heliodoras

(d) Herodotus

Choose the correct option:

1. (a), (b) and (d) only
2. (b), (c) and (d) only
3. (a) and (d) only
4. (a) and (b) only

Answer: (a) and (b) only