Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.91

c11.91

The liberation of the land of the five rivers and the border country from the Macedonians was a long process. It required two wars to expel the prefects of Alexander and hurl back the battalions of one of the most ambitious and capable of his successors. The great Macedonian king and conqueror wanted to incorporate the territories he had conquered in India permanently into his empire. He made elaborate arrangements or their defence and administration. Garrisons were posted in several places, colonies planted, cities fortified at important stategic points and dock-yards constructed. Satraps recruited from Indians as well as Macedonians and allied peoples from the West were appointed to assume the administration of some of the conquered provinces. Certain areas were, however, left under the control of Indian Rājās.¹