Greek Invasion

1. Which one of the following dynasties was ruling over North India at the time of Alexander's invasion ? [U.P.S.C (Pre) 2000]

(a) Nanda
(b) Maurya
(c) Sunga
(d) Kanva

Correct Answer: (a) Nanda

Solution:There were eight inheritors of Mahapadmananda found in Puranas and Buddhist texts. Dhanananda was the last ruler of this dynasty who was also the contemporary of Alexander. Greek writers referred him as Agramese. Xenophon describes him as a wealthy person. Bhadrashal was his commander.

2. Which one of the following rulers of Magadha was the contemporary of Alexander, the Great ? [44ᵗʰ B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2000]

(a) Mahapadmananda
(b) Dhanananda
(c) Sukalpa
(d) Chandragupta Maurya

Correct Answer: (b) Dhanananda

3. Consider the following statements : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1998]

Assertion (A) : After campaigning for nearly two years, Alexander, the Great, left India in 365 B.C.
Reason (R) : He was defeated by Chandra Gupta Maurya.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below :
Code :

(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Correct Answer: (c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.

Solution:After demolishing the Hakhamani empire in 326 BC, Alexander started his Indian campaign with huge army. After two years, he returned to Greek from Paatal in 325 BC. But he was not defeated by Chandragupta Maurya.

4. The women of which Indian republic or kingdom had taken up arms against Alexander after a large number of its soldiers had been killed or wounded in the battlefield ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Abhisara
(b) Glausai
(c) Katha
(d) Massaga

Correct Answer: (d) Massaga

Solution:Ashwaka was a frontier republic at the time of the invasion of Alexander, whose capital was Massaga. According to Greek writers, the women had taken up arms against Alexander when a large number of men were killed in the was against him. This description description described that Alexander had killed all the women of this town.

5. Alexander's success in India was due to the following : [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, 2000, U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2002]

1. There was no central power in India at that time
2. He had a superior army
3. He was helped by the traitorous Indian rulers
4. He was a good administrator
Select the correct answer from the following code :

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) All the above

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:The first three reasons given behind the success of Alexander in India are correct. Dr. Hemachandra Rai Chaudhary had mentioned 28 independent powers of that time. It means there was no central authority in India at that time. Undoubtedly his (Alexander) army was superior. Many Indian traitor kings like Ambhi supported him. Being good administrator was not a reason behind his victory over India.

6. Name the brave Indian King whom Alexander defeated on the bank of river Jhelum. [U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Ambhi
(b) Porus
(c) Chandragupta Maurya
(d) Mahapadma Nanda

Correct Answer: (b) Porus

Solution:The realm of Puru (Porus) was located between Jhelum and Chenab river. Alexander defeated him on the bank of Jhelum river, but he was impressed by his courage and became his friend and returned his state and also gifted him some more areas.

7. Who one of the following had not come to India with Alexander ? [U.P.P.C.S. (Re-Exam) (Pre) 2015]

(a) Nearchus
(b) Onesicritus
(c) Deimachus
(d) Aristobulus

Correct Answer: (c) Deimachus

Solution:Deimachus had not come to India with Alexander. According to Strabo, Seleucid emperor Antiochus sent his ambassador in the court of Bindusara named as Deimachus.