Lesson 3/33 min
Gangaridai
Around 327 BCE the Greek conqueror Alexander campaigned in the north-west of India. Greek and Roman writers speak of a powerful land on the banks of the Ganges, which they call Gangaridai.
- Time: the 4th century BCE, the age of Alexander
- Place: the Bengal region; Banglapedia identifies it with the Vanga janapada
- Source: accounts by Greek and Roman writers (Diodorus, Curtius, Strabo and others), not any local written record
Watch out: The numbers of soldiers and elephants, and the name of the capital, differ between ancient writers, and even Banglapedia's figures contain a misprint, so no numbers are given here. Remember only: 4th century BCE, Bengal, Greek accounts.
Check yourself
Where do we mainly learn about Gangaridai from?
At a glance
- 1
Gangaridai was a powerful kingdom of the 4th century BCE, located in Bengal.
- 2
It was contemporary with Alexander, who invaded India around 327 BCE.
- 3
Our source is the accounts of Greek and Roman writers.