Indo-Iranian Contact and Impact of the Achaemenian Invasion

In the 6th century BC, fertile and rich natural resources attracted invaders from the north-west. Weak leadership and political disunity existed among the small principalities like Kambojas, Gandharas etc. They offered minimal resistance to the invaders, who later penetrated the area through  the Hindu Kush mountains.

Achaemenian Impact on Ancient Indian Subcontinent

• The Achaemenid king Cyrus (558–529 BC) was the first ruler to invade the sub-continent.
• Later, Persian king Darius annexed the Punjab in 516 BC.
• The Northwest Indian subcontinent remained under Iranian rule until the invasion by Alexander the Great.

Results of Indo-Iranian Contact:

Indo-Iranian contact lasted for almost two centuries and had both economic and cultural impacts.

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• Economic Impacts
  • Trade and commerce enhanced between the regions evident from the finding of Persian coins in the North West Frontier Province region. 
  • Persian sigloi (silver coin) were imitations from Persia.
  • The Indian word for coin karsa is of Persian origin. The coins might have been inspired by the Persian coins.
• Cultural Impacts
• • The introduction of the Kharosthi script, which was derived from Aramaic (the official script of the Persian empire, written right to left). The two major rock edicts of Ashoka viz. Mansehra and Sahbazgarhi are in Kharosthi script.
  • Iranian artistic and architectural influence is evident in Maurya sculpture. Ashoka’s bell-shaped capitals, especially the Lion capital of Sarnath and Bull capital of Rampurva pillars.
  • Specific terms and phrases in Ashoka’s edicts reflect Iranian influence. Eg: for the Iranian term “dipi,” the Ashokan scribe uses ‘lipi.’
• The Greeks learnt about India’s great wealth through Iranians, contributing to Alexander’s invasion of India.

Conclusion: 

• The Iranian invasion and contacts left an indelible imprint on the Indian subcontinent, fostering the exchange of ideas, languages, religions, and goods. This interaction contributed to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity and historical evolution in both regions.

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