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R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994

Ancient Foreign Invasions

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

First Persian ruler who captured some part of India was-

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept The northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent has a long history of being integrated into major world empires due to its strategic and economic value.

Explanation Cyrus the Great (6th century BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Empire, was the first Persian ruler to invade India. He annexed the regions west of the Indus River (modern-day Pakistan/Afghanistan border).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: While Darius-I (Option C) extended the conquest up to the Jhelum and made it the 20th Satrapy of the empire, Cyrus (Option A) was the one who initiated the Persian presence in India.
Logic 2: These conquests introduced the Kharosthi script and Achaemenid administrative styles to India.
Logic 3: Cambyses (Option B): Focused his conquests on Egypt and did not extend into India.

Active Recall

Question

Which Persian ruler made the Indus valley a province (Satrapy) of his empire?

Answer

Darius the Great made the conquered Indian territories the 20th Satrapy of the Achaemenid Empire.

Core Insight

The Persian conquest established a cultural corridor that significantly influenced Mauryan art, administration, and the use of monumental stone architecture.

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