Indian Architecture (Buddhist and Hindu Periods) c14.6

c14.6

Such were the conditions which prevailed in the countries beyond the north-west frontier of India about the beginning of the second century B.C. At this juncture, however, the increasing supremacy of the independent, although still Hellenistic kingdom of Bactria, caused its ruler, Euthydemus to contemplate an expansion of his power. Any movement westward would have been abortive owing to the Parthians having strengthened their position in what is now northern Persia, while the invasions, of a nomadic horde from the north made any advance in this direction also impossible. On the other hand the dismemberment of the Mauryan empire in India, which began in the last half of the third century B. C , was an opportunity not to be lost, and accordingly in 190 B C., the Bactrian king carried Greek rule across the Hindu Kush, down the Kabul valley, and into the plains of Hindustan By this achievement a considerable tract of northern India was brought under the dominion of the Bactrian Greeks, who were now at the height of their power. An Indo-Greek kingdom was established under Demetrius who was styled "King of India", as he ruled over the country of the Indus