Question

Answer the following question in detail.

Describe the political and cultural effects of Achemenid rule on India.

Answer 1

1. The Persian supremacy prevailed in the Indian subcontinent for at least two centuries.
2. The Persian rulers set up an administrative system.
3. Every conquered region was annexed to their territory as a satrapy and a satrap (governor) was appointed as its chief administrator.
4. A newly opened waterway for the transport between Persia and the Indian subcontinent facilitated trade between Achaemenid provinces in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent and the regions of Sindh-Punjab.
5. The ivory and teak exported from India had great demand in the Persian markets. The architects, sculptors, and other artisans lost the royal patronage so they had to move out in search of work. They migrated to India.
6. They received royal patronage in the court of emperor Ashoka. Their style is reflected in the stone pillars erected by Emperor Ashoka.
7. Thus, the sculptural art in ancient India has its roots in the Persian; and accordingly, in the Greek sculptural style.