Effects of Alexander’s Invasion of India

The consequences of Alexander’s invasion of India have been exaggerated out of all proportion by some foreign writers. E. J. Rapson and Vincent A. Smith regard this invasion an important and successful landmark in the history of India, while according to Radhakumud Mookerji it cannot be called a singular victory for Alexander. Alexander, of course, tried his best to consolidate his conquest in India as far as possible by suitable administrative arrangements. He posted Greek governors to the west of the Indus; Peithon in Sind. Philip in the north, in the lower Kabul valley upto Bactria, and Oxyartes in the valley of the Hindukush. To the east of the Indus, however, he did not dare to appointment Greek governors, but appointed only Indians, such as the King of Taxila, Abhisara, and Poros to rule over his conquered territories.

Nonetheless, one of its important consequences was that the political vaccum created in the North-West by Alexander’s retreat did produce “indirect effects of utmost importance” in so far as the exploits of Alexander must have provided Chandragupta Maurya with some added inspiration to undertake his extensive territorial ventures. Alexander’s invasion by destroying the power of the petty states of North-Western India gave an impetus to united India.

Also by increasing the existing facilities for trade, Alexander’s campaign paved the way for Greek merchants and craftsmen.

Alexander established in India a number of Greek settlements, some of which may have survived till the time of Ashoka and even later. This promoted an exchange of ideas between Indian and Bactrian Greeks. Greek influence can be seen on Buddhist religion and also on art. In course of time there grew a cosmopolitan school by the Hellenic influence. As Vincent A. Smith has put it: “whatever Hellenistic elements in Indian civilization can be detected were all indirect consequences of Alexander’s invasion”.

An immediate effect of Alexander’s invasion was the destruction/weakening of tribes of India which had survived from earlier times. This made it easier for Chandragupta Maurya to bring them under his survey. Thus the process of political unification of northern India under one Government was unleashed. Alexander’s historians besides having left valuable geographical accounts have also left clearly dated records of Alexander’s campaign, which enable us to build Indian chronology for subsequent events on a definite basis.

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