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Contemporaries in Ancient India: Who was the Exception?

Milinda was not a contemporary of Bimbisara, Gautama Buddha, and Prasenjit. While the latter three lived during the 6th century BCE, Milinda ruled as an Indo-Greek king in the 2nd century BCE.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class XI - Ancient India

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Who among the following was not a contemporary of the other three?

[UPSC CSE Pre 2005]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept


Historical contemporaneity refers to figures existing during the same time period. The 6th century BCE was a landmark era for religious and political development in India.

Authentic Source Evidence


Bimbisara (Haryanka dynasty), Gautama Buddha, and Prasenjit (King of Kosala) all lived and interacted in the 6th century BCE. Milinda (Menander I) was an Indo-Greek king who ruled in the 2nd century BCE.

Analytical Breakdown


  • The 6th Century BCE Group: Bimbisara was the king of Magadha and a patron of Buddha; Prasenjit was the ruler of Kosala and also a contemporary of Buddha.

  • The Outlier: Milinda ruled roughly 400 years later. He is famous for the text 'Milinda Panha', a dialogue with the monk Nagasena.

  • Logic: Since three figures belong to the age of Mahajanapadas/Buddha and one belongs to the post-Mauryan Indo-Greek era, Milinda is the exception.

    • Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

    "What is the 'Milinda Panha'?"

    It is a Buddhist text recorded as a dialogue between the Indo-Greek king Milinda and the sage Nagasena.

    Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

    "Milinda's patronage of Buddhism in a later era shows the enduring influence of the faith long after the time of its founder and his royal contemporaries."

    Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

    Mahajanapadas 4Indo-Greeks 5Magadha 7
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