SSC
The Persian (Achaemenid) ruler Darius I annexed the north-western regions of India (Gandhara and the Indus) in about:
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Answer: Option D — 516 BCE
Detailed Solution
The Achaemenid (Persian) emperor Darius I annexed the north-western regions of the Indian subcontinent, including Gandhara and the Indus region, around 516 BCE (late 6th century BCE).
About the Persian conquest:
- Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid empire, is believed to have conquered parts of Gandhara around 550-530 BCE.
- Darius I (522-486 BCE) extended Persian control over the Indus region.
- The Behistun (Bisitun) inscription of Darius I mentions "Gandara" as one of his provinces.
- His inscriptions at Persepolis and Naqsh-i-Rustam mention "Hindush" (the Indus region) as part of his empire.
According to the Greek historian Herodotus, "India" (the Indus region) was the 20th satrapy (province) of the Persian empire, and it was the most populous and richest province, paying a tribute of 360 talents of gold dust each year.
Indian soldiers served in the Persian army; Herodotus mentions Indian archers in the army of Xerxes during his invasion of Greece (480 BCE).
Effects of Persian rule on India:
- It promoted trade between India and West Asia.
- The Aramaic script was introduced in the north-west, and the Kharosthi script developed from it.
- Some scholars believe that the Mauryan pillars and edicts were influenced by Persian models (such as the bell-shaped capitals and the practice of issuing inscriptions), though this is debated.
- The Persians called the Indus "Hindu", which gave rise to the words "Hindu" and "India".
- The Persian empire controlled the region until Alexander's invasion (326 BCE).
Why not the other options?
- ✗326 BCE is the year of Alexander's invasion.
- ✗550 BCE is around the time of Cyrus's conquests.
- ✗305 BCE is the year of the war between Seleucus and Chandragupta Maurya.
Quick tip
Remember: Darius I annexed the Indus region in about 516 BCE ("Hindush" = 20th satrapy, richest, per Herodotus); Kharosthi developed from Aramaic; Alexander's invasion = 326 BCE.
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Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the rise of Magadha under the Haryanka, Shishunaga and Nanda dynasties, Alexander's invasion, and the Mauryan Empire under Chandragupta Maurya, Bindusara and Ashoka, including Mauryan administration, Ashoka's dhamma and his edicts. Questions often ask about the capital of a Mahajanapada, the founder of a dynasty, or details of Ashoka's rule, such as the Kalinga war and his rock and pillar edicts. Key sources include Kautilya's Arthashastra and Megasthenes' Indica. James Prinsep first deciphered Ashoka's Brahmi inscriptions in 1837. Practise the Mahajanapadas and Mauryan Empire questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.