Q60
History of IndiaPost-Mauryan Period
Which of the below mentioned Indo-Greek rulers issued coins bearing the figures of Krishna and Balarama?
- a.Menander
- b.Agathocles
- c.Heliocles
- d.Archebius
Answer: (B) Agathocles
Agathocles, an Indo-Greek (Bactrian) king of about 190-180 BCE, issued bilingual coins found at Ai-Khanoum (Afghanistan) showing Samkarshana-Balarama with plough and mace and Vasudeva-Krishna with wheel and conch, the earliest known images of these deities. Menander (A) is the Milinda of the Buddhist text Milindapanho, who ruled from Sakala (Sialkot) and conversed with the monk Nagasena; Heliocles and Archebius were later, minor rulers. Also remember Heliodorus, ambassador of King Antialcidas, who set up the Garuda pillar at Besnagar (Vidisha) in honour of Vasudeva. The Indo-Greeks were the first in India to issue gold coins and coins bearing the names and portraits of kings.