Indo-Greek Kingdom

In 184 BCE, after the collapse of the Maurya Empire, the Indo-Greek Kingdom, a fusion kingdom, of Hellenistic and Indian culture, stood at the crossroads of history.

Map over the Indo-Greeks

## Indo-Greek Kingdom

### Precced by

* Maurya Empire
* Seleucid Empire

### Succeded by

* Kushan Empire
* Indo-Scythian Kingdom
* Indo-Parthian Kingdom

# Demetrius

Demetrius seizes control of the regions in the northwestern Indian subcontinent, establishing the Indo-Greek Kingdom. His vision extends beyond conquest, he aims to create a realm where Greek and Indian cultures intertwine, fostering an unprecedented fusion.

His expansionist desires set sights on Indian territories controlled by the Shunga Empire.

The Greco Wars unfolded as a series of conflicts marked by strategic maneuvers, battles, and shifting alliances. Demetrius, fueled by the vision of a vast empire that bridged the East and West, sought to extend his influence deep into the heart of the Indian subcontinent. His military might and diplomatic finesse posed a formidable challenge to the Shunga Empire.

The territories along the western borders became the battlegrounds where the clash of civilizations echoed. Cities such as Taxila and Mathura witnessed the ebb and flow of armies, and the fate of the region hung in the balance.

The conflicts eventually reached a resolution. The Shunga Empire, though tested, persisted.

# Invasions

In 165 BCE, Menander I ascended to the throne, his reign marked a expedition across northern India to Mathura,

After Menander's death, his empire faced challenges from emerging kingdoms and republics within India, leading to a significant reduction in its size. the Scythians invaded from the north, contributing to the fall of Heliocles, the last Greek king in Bactria.

Following the fall of Bactria, the Indo-Greek realm experienced uncertainties regarding its extent. Successors of Menander, including Agathokleia, Strato I, and Nicias, played roles in the preservation of the Indo-Greek realm. Later rulers, such as Zoilos I, Lysias, Antialcidas, and Philoxenos, emerged, in the western part of the Indo-Greek territory.

In 115 BCE, Heliodorus, an ambassador of Indo-Greek king Antialkidas, traveled from Taxila to Vidisha and established the Heliodorus pillar as a dedication to Vāsudeva, indicating improved relations between the Indo-Greeks and the Sungas.

# Loss of Territories

King Philoxenus briefly occupied Western India (100–95 BCE), but his reign was followed by further fragmentation among smaller Indo-Greek kings. The Indo-Greeks continued to lose ground in the east to Indian powers, while facing external challenges from the Scythians, Yuezhi, and Parthians in the west.

As the 1st century BCE progressed, the Indo-Greek kingdom witnessed a series of territorial losses, ultimately leading to the rule of smaller, local entities. The last known rulers, Strato II and Strato III, governed in the Punjab region until around 10 CE, marking the conclusion of the Indo-Greek presence in the region.

Following the decline and dissolution of the Indo-Greek kingdom, The Indo-Scythians, also known as the Sakas, became prominent rulers in the northwestern regions. The Yuezhi, established the Kushan Empire. The Kushans became a powerful Central Asian empire with a significant presence.