Megasthenes And Indica

Exam-Oriented Q&A

Q1: Who sent Megasthenes to India?
Answer: Seleucus I Nicator dispatched him as an ambassador.

Q2: What was the main aim of Indica?
Answer: To document India’s geography, politics, society, and customs for a Greek audience.

Q3: How do we know Indica today?
Answer: Through fragments preserved by later Greek and Roman writers.

Q4: Name two societal aspects Megasthenes admired.
Answer: Indian ascetics’ philosophical depth and the empire’s administrative order.

Q5: Which Mauryan ruler features in Megasthenes’ account?
Answer: Chandragupta Maurya.