21. Consider the following statements with respect to the impact of Alexander’s invasion of India:
- After Alexander, a strong Greek state was formed in the North-West that lasted for centuries.
- Alexander established some cities in the North-West.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 Only]
Notes:
After Alexander, the North-Western part of Indian subcontinent fell into the hands of Seleucus Nikator, a general of Alexander. But, the Seleucid Empire could not control that area for long and it was conquered by Chandragupta Maurya. A matrimonial alliance was also established between the two. So, statement 1 is incorrect. Alexander undertook a keen interest in many non-military matters also. He established many cities in the course of his long journey, some of which were established in the Indian subcontinent e.g. Alexandria in Kabul region, Bucephalous on Jhelum and Alexandria in Sindh, etc. So, statement 2 is correct.
22. Consider the following statements:
- Alexander entered into the Indian subcontinent from Khyber Pass.
- Alexander advanced into India as far as the Yamuna River.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 Only]
Notes:
After his conquest over Iran, Alexander moved to Kabul, from where he marched to India through the Khyber Pass. Then, he took the surrender of Ambhi, who ruled over Taxila and conquered a strong defense of Puru, whose kingdom lay between Jhelum and Chenab. Then, he moved as far as Beas River before his soldiers, who were war weary, disease-stricken and unsettled by the news of large Magadhan army, refused to march any further and he was compelled to return. Overall, he stayed in India for 19 months which were full of fighting. So, statement 2 is incorrect.
23. Consider the following statements:
- Alexander was the first foreign invader into the Indian subcontinent.
- Alexander’s scribes brought into India a form of writing which came to be known as the Kharoshthi script.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Before Alexander, it was the Darius of Achaemenian Empire of Iran that annexed the North-Western part of Indian subcontinent in c. 516 BCE. It could happen partly because the North-West lacked a strong Empire like the Magadha Empire. The area to the west of Indus was incorporated as a satrapi of the Achaemenian Empire. Darius’s successor, Xerxes, deployed Indian contingents in his war against the Greeks. So, statement 1 is incorrect. This Indo-Iranian contact gave boost to the trade and commerce but the cultural impacts of this interaction were more important e.g. Iranian scribes brought the Kharoshthi script to India. Later, Ashokan inscriptions in this area used the Kharoshthi script too. So, statement 2 is also incorrect.
24. Consider the following statements:
- Indian literary sources are silent on the issue of Alexander’s invasion of India.
- Chandragupta Maurya is identified as Sandrocotus in the Greek sources.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 Only
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Remarkably, Alexander’s invasion of India finds no mention in the contemporary Indian literature. Only, the Greek historians that accompanied him, mention his exploits in the subcontinent. So, statement 1 is correct. It is mentioned in the Greek sources that Prince Sandrocotus came to meet Alexander and he was crowned in 322 BCE. Once, Chandragupta Maurya was identified as Sandrocotus, it served as a reference point to establish chronology of kings and dynasties of ancient India. So, statement 2 is also correct.
25. The Sultan who described himself as ‘The Second Alexander’ (Sikander-i-Sani) was _____:
[A] Sikander Lodi
[B] Balban
[C] Alauddin Khilji
[D] Muhammad bin Tughluq
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Alauddin Khilji ]
Notes:
Alauddin Khilji, originally Ali Gurshap, was known as Sikander-i-Sani. He enacted economic reforms, including market controls, to fund military campaigns. His reign featured the Alai Darwaza, Qutb Minar expansion, and a strong espionage system. He successfully fought the Mongols and annexed Gujarat, Ranthambore, and Chittor, with coinage reflecting his imperial ambitions.
26. Which of the following was discovered by Alexander Fleming?
[A] DNA
[B] Vaccination
[C] penicillin
[D] blood circulation
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [penicillin]
Notes:
Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, whose use as an antibiotic has saved millions of lives.
27. In which region Alexander and Porus fought a battle?
[A] Jhelum
[B] Panipat
[C] Hydaspes
[D] Tarain
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Hydaspes]
Notes:
The Battle of the Hydaspes River was fought by Alexander the Great in 326 BC against King Porus of the Hindu Paurava kingdom on the banks of the Hydaspes River (Jhelum River) in the Punjab near Bhera in what is now modern-day Pakistan. The battle resulted in a complete Macedonian victory and the annexation of the Punjab, which lay beyond the confines of the defeated Persian Empire, into the Alexandrian Empire. The battle is historically significant for opening up India for Greek political (Seleucid Empire, Indo-Greeks) and cultural influence (Greco-Buddhist art) which was to continue for many centuries.
28. In which year Alexander invaded India?
[A] 323 BC
[B] 326 BC
[C] 454 BC
[D] 467 BC
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [326 BC]
Notes:
In 326 BC, Alexander invaded India, after crossing the river Indus, he advanced towards Taxila. He then challenged king Porus , ruler of the kingdom between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab. The Indians were defeated in the fierce battle, even though they fought with elephants, which the Macedonians had never before seen.
29. Who took over Eastern part of Alexander’s empire after his death?
[A] Menander
[B] Kanishka
[C] Seleucus Nicator
[D] Rudradaman
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Seleucus Nicator]
Notes:
Seleucus I was a leading officer of Alexander the Great’s League of Corinth and one of the Diadochi. In the Wars of the Diadochi that took place after Alexander’s death, Seleucus established the Seleucid dynasty and the Seleucid Empire. His kingdom would be one of the last holdouts of Alexander’s former empire to Roman rule. They were only outlived by the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt by roughly 34 years.
30. Who was the ruler of Magadha at the time of Alexander’s invasion?
[A] Ashoka
[B] Chandragupta Maurya
[C] Dhanananda
[D] Shishunaga
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Dhanananda]
Notes:
Dhanananda was the ruler of Magadha at the time of Alexander’s invasion. Dhanananda was the last ruler of the Nanda dynasty. Dhanananda was killed by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of Mauryan Empire.
