who were info Greek why was their rule important in the history of ancient india
Answers
The Indo-Greek kingdom was ruled by over 30 Hellenistic (Greek) kings in northwest and north India from the 2nd century BC to the beginning of the first century AD.
The kingdom started when Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius (son of Euthydemus I) invaded India around 180 BC. He conquered southern Afghanistan and parts of Punjab.
The Indo-Greek kings imbibed Indian culture and became political entities with a mix of Greek and Indian culture.
For about 25 years, the Indo-Greek kingdoms were under the Euthydemid rule.
Many coins have been unearthed of these kings and most of the information we get about them is from these coins. Coins have been found with Indian and Greek inscriptions. Many coins have been found with images of Indian deities also. The Indo-Greek kings did this to perhaps placate the population most of whom were not Greeks.
The civil wars among the many Bactrian kings after the death of Demetrius facilitated the independent kingdom of Apollodotus I who, in this way, can be regarded as the first proper Indo-Greek king (whose rule was not from Bactria).
His kingdom included Gandhara and western Punjab.
Most of the Indo-Greek kings were Buddhists and Buddhism flourished under their rule.
Greek influence is mostly seen in art and sculpture, particularly the Gandhara School of art.