In the four centuries after the death of Emperor Ashoka and the decline of the Mauryan Empire, parts of India were invaded by the Indo-Greeks, Sakas and Kushanas from West and Central Asia, who became rulers over large parts of India. This strengthened acculturation (assimilation of foreign cultures and art forms) and integrated India with the Mediterranean world, Central Asia and China through trade. In the south, the Tamil kingdoms carried on a great trade with Rome.
1. Indo-Greek Relations – The Beginnings
- India's interaction with the Greeks began with Alexander's invasion of north-western India (327–325 BCE) and his conquest of the Punjab. One of Chandragupta Maurya's early expeditions was against the governors he left behind.
- Seleucus Nicator, one of Alexander's most capable generals, became master of the land from Phrygia (Turkey) to the Indus after 311 BCE.
- Probably around 305 BCE Chandragupta defeated Seleucus and made a peace treaty: Seleucus surrendered the land up to the Indus and received 500 war elephants. There is also mention of a marriage agreement.
- Megasthenes was sent to Pataliputra as the first Greek ambassador.
- Bindusara kept friendly ties with West Asian Greek kingdoms: Ptolemy II of Egypt sent ambassadors, and he corresponded with Antiochus of Syria.
- Ashoka's Rock Edict (13) mentions five yona kings, showing that his relations reached the heartland of Greece.