Q. Which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the given rulers of ancient India?
(a) Ashoka—Kanishka—Milinda
(b) Milinda—Ashoka—Kanishka
(c) Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka
(d) Milinda—Kanishka—Ashoka
Ans: (c) Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka
Explanation: The correct chronological order of the given rulers of ancient India is (c) Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka.
Here’s the explanation for each ruler:
1. Ashoka: Ashoka was an emperor of the Maurya Empire and ruled from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. He is renowned for his conversion to Buddhism and his efforts to spread the teachings of Buddhism throughout his empire and beyond. Ashoka’s reign is considered a significant turning point in the history of India.
2. Milinda (Menander I): Milinda, also known as Menander I, was a Greco-Bactrian king who ruled in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent around the 2nd century BCE. He is mentioned in Buddhist texts and is believed to have engaged in philosophical discussions with the Buddhist sage Nagasena, as described in the text “Milinda Panha” (The Questions of Milinda).
3. Kanishka: Kanishka was a Kushan emperor who ruled a vast empire in Central Asia and northern India from around 127 CE to 150 CE. He is known for his patronage of Buddhism and for convening the Fourth Buddhist Council in Kashmir. Kanishka’s reign marked a significant phase in the spread of Buddhism to Central Asia and China.
Therefore, the correct chronological order is (c) Ashoka—Milinda—Kanishka.
