The Indo-Greeks and the Śhakas

Back to the north. In this same period, invaders came in through the north-west and took control of the north-western, northern and central regions.

First, what Alexander left behind. As he retreated, he left satraps (governors). Over time they set up their own kingdoms and became known as the Indo-Greeks.

After the Mauryas declined, the north-west (roughly today's Pakistan and Afghanistan) was an easy target for them. They came as conquerors, but the local culture changed them: Greek and Indian ways blended in government, art, language and daily life. They took on India's colours!

The Heliodorus pillar, near Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh), shows this. It's named after an Indo-Greek ambassador, whose inscription praises Vāsudeva as 'god of gods'. It also says three 'immortal precepts' lead to heaven: self-restraint, charity, consciousness. A Greek honouring an Indian god!

Most of what we know about the Indo-Greeks comes from their many coins found in north India. They were made of gold, silver, copper and nickel, usually with a king on one side and Greek gods on the other. Some showed Indian gods instead, like Vāsudeva-Kṛiṣhṇa and Lakṣhmī.

Indo-Greek rule ended when the Śhakas (Indo-Scythians) invaded. They ruled from the late 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Puzzle: roughly how long is that? About 150 BCE to about 450 CE is around 600 years!

In this period the Śhaka Samvat calendar was made. It's 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar we use (79 from January to March). So, after March in 2026 it is Śhaka year 1948. In 1957 India adopted it as the National Calendar. You know the national bird and flower; now you know the national calendar too!