Question

Megasthenes was an ambassador who was sent to the court of .......... by the Greek ruler of West Asia named Seleucus Nicator.

• A. Chandragupta
• B. Bimbisara
• C. Asoka
• D. Rajendra

Hint:

For history-based questions, creating a mental timeline can be helpful. The Mauryan Empire (Chandragupta, then Ashoka) came much before the Chola dynasty (Rajendra) and after early Magadhan kings like Bimbisara. Placing the figures in the correct era helps eliminate incorrect options.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question
This is a historical knowledge question. It asks to identify the Indian king to whose court the Greek ambassador Megasthenes was sent by Seleucus I Nicator.

Step 2: Recalling Historical Facts


Seleucus I Nicator was a general of Alexander the Great and founder of the Seleucid Empire. After a brief conflict with the Mauryan Empire, he made a peace treaty.

As part of this treaty, he sent an ambassador named Megasthenes to the Mauryan capital, Pataliputra.

The ruler of the Mauryan Empire at that time was its founder, Chandragupta Maurya.

Megasthenes is famous for writing "Indica," a detailed account of India during that period.


Step 3: Evaluating the Options


(A) Chandragupta: This is historically correct. Megasthenes was the ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya.

(B) Bimbisara: He was a much earlier king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha.

(C) Asoka: He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya. While the Seleucids sent ambassadors to his court as well, Megasthenes was specifically sent to Chandragupta's court.

(D) Rajendra: This refers to Rajendra Chola I, a much later king from a southern dynasty.


Step 4: Final Answer
Based on historical records, Megasthenes was the Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya. Therefore, option (A) is the correct answer.