Q. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect with respect to the Indo-Greek rulers during the post-Mauryan age?
Answer: They were hostile to the local religious traditions
Notes: Indo-Greeks from Bactria in North Afghanistan were first to invade in the post-Mauryan age. Two Indo-Greek dynasties ruled north-western India on parallel lines. These kings issued a large number of coins. In fact, numismatic evidence is the main source of information for these kings. Notably, the punch-marked coins- the earliest coins in circulation in Indian subcontinent- could not be attributed definitely to a ruling king/dynasty. But, the observe side of the Indo-Greek coins carried the portrait of the issuing king and the reverse side carried the portrait of Greek gods. Legends were engraved on both sides. So, option a is correct. Indo-Greek kings were also the first to issue gold coins in India. But, these were smaller in numbers compared to the silver and copper coins. Earlier, punch marked coins were mostly silver and rarely copper, but never cast in gold. They were struck according to Attic weight standard. So, option b is also correct. Indo-Greek kings introduced the Hellenistic art features in the north-western part of India. In this style, there is a lot of emphasis on liveliness on the sculptures and bringing out details of human anatomy. In time, these art features coalesced with the themes of Buddhism that led to the Gandhara School of Art. So, option c is also correct. Though, these ruling dynasties came from outside, they were open to the Indian culture. In fact, many of the Indo-Greek coins issued on our side of Hindu Kush carry the portrait of Hindu gods. Some of the Indo-Greek kings like Menander adopted Buddhism and some other adopted Vaishnavism also. Thus, option d is incorrect.

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