India and Iran (Persia)
Short Questions
1. Who founded the Achaemenid Empire?
Answer: Cyrus II, also known as Cyrus the Great, founded the Achaemenid Empire.
2. What was the capital of the Elam empire?
Answer: The capital of the Elam empire was Susa.
3. What is the name of the trade route developed by Cyrus II and Daryush I?
Answer: The Royal Road connected Susa to the Mediterranean Sea.
4. What was the name of the city built by Daryush I in the Pars region?
Answer: Daryush I built the city of Persepolis.
5. Who was the Greek historian known as the father of historiography?
Answer: Herodotus is known as the father of historiography.
6. Which Greek state was conquered by Cyrus II in the 6th century B.C.E.?
Answer: Cyrus II conquered Lydia.
7. What was the outcome of the Battle of Marathon?
Answer: Daryush I was defeated by Athens in the Battle of Marathon.
8. Which region of India was part of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus II?
Answer: The Kabul basin (Gandhara) was part of the Achaemenid Empire.
9. What script evolved from the Aramaic script in northwest India?
Answer: The Kharoshthi script evolved from the Aramaic script.
10. Who explored the Sindhu River under Daryush I’s orders?
Answer: Scylax of Karyanda explored the Sindhu River.
11. What were the names of the coins issued by Daryush I?
Answer: Daryush I issued Darik (gold) and Siglos (silver) coins.
12. Who was the king of Taxila during Alexander’s invasion?
Answer: Ambhi was the king of Taxila during Alexander’s invasion.
13. Which ancient Indian city is described as a “natural university”?
Answer: Taxila is described as a “natural university.”
14. Who defeated King Porus in the Battle of Jhelum?
Answer: Alexander defeated King Porus in the Battle of Jhelum.
15. What was the ancient name of the Grand Trunk Road?
Answer: The Grand Trunk Road was known as Uttarapatha.
Long Questions
1. What was the significance of the Royal Road developed by the Achaemenid emperors?
Answer: The Royal Road, developed by Cyrus II and Daryush I, was a vital trade route stretching from Susa to the Mediterranean Sea, with branches connecting India and Egypt. It facilitated secure and efficient trade, enhancing economic and cultural exchanges between East and West Asia. The route was later used by Alexander during his expedition to India.
2. How did the Achaemenid Empire expand its influence in the Indian subcontinent?
Answer: The Achaemenids, under Cyrus II, conquered the Kabul basin (Gandhara) and extended their rule to Punjab, integrating these regions as satrapies. They collected significant revenue, as noted by Herodotus, which strengthened their treasury. This expansion facilitated trade and cultural exchanges, leaving a lasting administrative impact.
3. Why is Herodotus considered the father of modern historiography?
Answer: Herodotus is considered the father of modern historiography for his work Historia, which systematically traced the Greco-Persian wars using evidence-based inquiry. He avoided mythological explanations, presenting events chronologically, setting a precedent for history as an independent discipline. His approach influenced subsequent historians, emphasizing factual analysis.
4. What was the impact of the Ionian rebellion on Greco-Persian relations?
Answer: The Ionian rebellion against Achaemenid rule, supported by Athens and Eretria, was suppressed after five years, escalating tensions with Greece. Daryush I’s retaliatory attack on Athens led to the Battle of Marathon, where he was defeated. This conflict weakened Achaemenid authority and fueled Greek confidence, paving the way for Alexander’s invasion.
5. How did the Achaemenid administrative system influence Indian governance?
Answer: The Achaemenids organized conquered regions into satrapies governed by satraps, a system adopted by Alexander, Scythians, and Kushanas in India. This centralized administration facilitated efficient governance and revenue collection in Indian provinces. The model influenced later Indian rulers, including the Mauryas, in structuring their empires.
6. What role did Scylax of Karyanda play in Achaemenid exploration?
Answer: Scylax of Karyanda, a Greek sailor, explored the Sindhu River and Arabian Sea under Daryush I’s orders, documenting his journey in the Periplus of Scylax. His exploration provided the Western world, particularly Greeks, with the first detailed information about India. The journey also led to the revival of a canal linking the Nile and Red Sea, boosting trade.
7. How did Achaemenid coinage influence ancient Indian coin-making techniques?
Answer: Daryush I introduced Darik (gold) and Siglos (silver) coins, a practice adopted from Lydia, featuring royal portraits and punched symbols. These techniques likely influenced the Indian punch-marked coins, which used similar punching methods. The circulation of Achaemenid and Greek coins in India facilitated economic exchanges.
8. Why was Taxila considered a major center of learning in ancient India?
Answer: Taxila, described as a “natural university,” attracted students to study under renowned acharyas in subjects like Vedas, philosophy, and medicine. Its flexible, student-centric system, free from formal examinations, emphasized individual learning capacity. The presence of scholars like Chanakya and its Buddhist learning centers under Ashoka solidified its academic reputation.
9. What were the key challenges faced by Alexander during his invasion of India?
Answer: Alexander faced resistance from Indian kings like Porus, whose use of elephants in the Battle of Jhelum posed a significant challenge to Greek forces. The lack of unity among Indian kingdoms aided his conquests, but his troops’ exhaustion at the Beas River forced his retreat. Harsh terrain and fierce battles, such as against the Shibis and Mallas, further strained his campaign.
10. Why did Alexander’s invasion of India have limited political impact?
Answer: Alexander’s invasion, though successful in conquering regions like Punjab and Sindh, was short-lived due to his death in 325 B.C.E. and his troops’ refusal to march further. He appointed local rulers like Porus and Ambhi, but Chandragupta Maurya soon established the Mauryan Empire, overshadowing Greek influence. The invasion’s primary legacy was cultural, through Greek documentation and artistic influences.
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