The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c20.18

v1.c20.18

But there is little apparent influence from outside, despite the wider political outlook; and where such influence might be looked for with greatest certainty, namely in the effect of Greek domination, it is practically nil. Only the Yavanas, literally ‘Ionians,’ a people or peoples of Greek descent who may be traced in Indian literature and inscriptions from the third century B.C. to the second century A.D., and who were manifestly a factor of no small importance in the political history of Northern and Western India—they are celebrated as great fighters in the Mahābhārata and other literature—remain to show that the conquest of Alexander and the Greek invasion from Bactria had any result. Other indications point rather to Persia than to Hellas. Thus the title Satrap, which was continued in use by Alexander, still remains under Çakas and Kushāṇas to testify to the long Persian dominion in N.W. India. Apart from this, political and social relations do not appear to be affected at all either by Hellenic or by Persian influence. The native army remains of the same sort, though greatly enlarged. The social theory remains practically the same, save that a place among degraded 'outcastes' is given to Yavanas as to other barbarians. Architecture and the arts of sculpture, gem-engraving and coinage do indeed bear witness, especially in the N.W. region of India to the influence of Persia and Greece during this period, just as, at a later date, native astronomy was affected, and indeed practically superseded by the system of Alexandria. But the period with which we are dealing at present does not make it necessary to inquire into the relation between India and the outer world in respect to science. The idea that Indian epic poetry itself is due to Hellenic influence has indeed been suggested; but as a theory this idea depends on so nebulous a parallel of plot that it has received no support.