Persian / Iranian and Greek Invasions of Northwestern India
While the Magadhan rulers were expanding their power by conquering other Mahajanapadas in India, foreign invasions occurred in northwestern India (Gandhara region). Gradually, this region fell under foreign rule. First the Persians, and later the Greeks, invaded and controlled Gandhara.
I. Persian / Iranian Invasions
During the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, the rulers of Iran invaded northwestern India. Cyrus, the Persian emperor, conquered some regions of northwestern India, while his grandson Darius I annexed the remaining territories. Cyrus is considered the first foreign conqueror of northwestern India.
The Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BCE), often called the “Father of History,” mentions in his work Histories that northwestern India became a satrapy (province) of the Persian Empire. Persian dominance in this region continued for at least two centuries.
It is also noteworthy that the Persians pronounced the Sanskrit word ‘Sindhu’ as ‘Hindu’, which eventually gave rise to the name Hindustan for India.
II. Greek Invasions
Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia in 334 BCE. A student of the great Greek philosopher Aristotle, Alexander is remembered as the only world conqueror in history who established an empire spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia.
In 329 BCE, Alexander defeated Darius III in the Battle of Gaugamela, bringing the Persian Empire under his control.
In 327 BCE, Alexander entered India through the Khyber Pass at the invitation of Ambhi, ruler of Taxila (referred to as Omphis in Greek texts). Between 327–325 BCE, Alexander fought continuous wars in India for 19 months and conquered several kingdoms.
The most famous of his Indian battles was the Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE), fought on the banks of the Jhelum River against King Porus. Although Alexander defeated Porus, he was deeply impressed by his bravery and valor.
Alexander extended his empire up to the Beas River and wished to march further into Magadha. However, his exhausted army refused to advance. Greek historians note that at the time, King Dhanananda of Magadha commanded a massive army of over 200,000 soldiers, which deterred Alexander’s men.
On his return journey, Alexander died in 323 BCE at Babylon (near modern Baghdad, Iraq). After his death, his general Seleucus Nicator established the Seleucid Empire in Asia, with Syria as its center.