Home   »   Indo-Greek Conference 2022   »   Indo-Greek Conference 2022

Indo-Greek Conference 2022

Relevance of Indo-Greek Conference 2022 for UPSC

 

Indo-Greek Conference 2022: Indo-Greek Conference 2022 has a great significance from the perspective of the UPSC International Relations Section(GS 2).
Indo-Greek Conference 2022 is also an essential current affairs cum Indian History, Art, and Culture topic for both UPSC prelims and mains(GS 1).

What is Bali Yatra of Odisha? | Significance for UPSC

 

Why Indo-Greek Conference 2022 is in News?

 

  • To explore the vibrant history of Indo-Hellenic culture and linkages, Greece is organising the International Indo-Greek Conference in New Delhi from today, December 12.
  • The five-day conference on ’Greek World and India: History, Culture and Trade from the Hellenistic period to Modern Times’ is being held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

 

India’s Historical Linkage with Greece 

 

  • Throughout the history of humanity, Hindu and Greek Mythology are the most renowned for the Gods and Goddesses it has blessed the world with.
  • These are the exceptional cultures which have sustained the test of time and remain unrivaled throughout the earth.
  • Many scholars and researchers find it contemporary significant.
  • The presence of abundant literary and archaeological artifacts have led to the establishment of Indo-Hellenic discussions.

Greeks are known as invaders in India

  • It is widely accepted that contacts between the Greek world and India pertain mainly to Antiquity, starting with Alexander.
  • So, the Conference also highlights other periods of interaction the Middle Ages or the early Modern Times- proving that India remained within the horizon of the Greeks as a cultural and economic beacon.

Indian History

What does the Indo-Greek Conference Aims?

 

  • The Indo-Greek conference aims to build dialogue and understanding between the Greek world and India from the period when the culture was at its peak and until the modern times.
  • The conference will mainly focus on history and linkages, art and archeology, science and philosophy, trade and economics, Hellenistic India – Greek Kings of India, Greeks in Indian Literature, Indians in Greek Literature (Ancient, Byzantine, and Post-Byzantine).
  • The five-day event will also include a digital exhibition of rare Byzantine manuscripts, including numerous miniatures depicting the life of Alexander.

 

What was Hellenistic India?

 

  • Hellenistic India was the period of Indo-Greek Kingdoms which hugely influenced Indian Polity & Culture of that period.
  • The Indo-Greek kingdom was ruled by over 30 Hellenistic (Greek) kings in the northwest and north India from the 2nd century BC to the beginning of the first century AD.
  • The kingdom started when Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius (son of Euthydemus I) invaded India around 180 BC. He conquered southern Afghanistan and parts of Punjab.
  • The Indo-Greek kings imbibed Indian culture and became political entities with a mix of Greek and Indian culture.
  • For about 25 years, the Indo-Greek kingdoms were under the Euthydemid rule.
  • Many coins have been unearthed of these kings and most of the information we get about them is from these coins.
  • Most of the Indo-Greek kings were Buddhists and Buddhism flourished under their rule.
  • Greek influence is mostly seen in art and sculpture, particularly the Gandhara School of art.

Who was Menander?

  • Menander I (165 BCE- 145 BCE) was a famous Indo-Greek King.
  • The Milinda Panha (composed around 100 BC) records a dialogue between Menander and the Buddhist sage Nagasena. Originally written in Sanskrit, only the Pali version is available now. In the work, Menander is described as a wise, learned, and able king. At the end of it, Menander accepts Buddhism and converts.

 

Modern Indo-Greek Economic ties are Gaining the Momentum

 

  • S. Jaishankar visited Athens in 2021 and his counterpart, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias came to New Delhi this year.
  • Greece has announced that Indian students will be given priority for scholarships under a ‘Study in Greece’ programme.
  • While there are as yet no direct flights connecting India and Greece, Greek Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis had said in October last year that a direct flight between Athens and India will be started, in view of the large number of Indians who travel to Greece for leisure.
  • In a bid to expand economic ties between the two countries, the Greek deputy minister for economic diplomacy and openness, Konstantinos Fragkogiannis, is scheduled to lead a large trade and business delegation to India in early 2023.

 

FAQs on Indo-Greek Conference 2022

Q. What is Indo-Greek Conference 2022?

Indo-Greek Conference 2022 is a five-day conference titled ’Greek World and India: History, Culture and Trade from the Hellenistic period to Modern Times’ held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

Q. What was the Indo-Greek kingdom?

  • The Indo-Greek kingdom was ruled by over 30 Hellenistic (Greek) kings in northwest and north India from the 2nd century BC to the beginning of the first century AD.
  • Graeco-Bactrian king Demetrius invaded India around 180 BC and conquered parts of Afghanistan and Punjab.
Q 2. How did the Indo-Greek Kingdom decline in India?

  • The last Indo-Greek king was Strato II.
  • Their rule in India ended with the invasions of the Indo-Scythians (Sakas).

 

Economy Current Affairs:

The Centre Forms Panel to Revamp MNREGA Scheme! Why National Anti Profiteering Authority(NAA) to be Subsumed into CCI? | Know Everything for UPSC What is India-Australia FTA? | Know Everything about AI-ECTA for UPSC
Why India’s Fight Against Inflation Continues? | Today’s the Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC Removal of India from US’ Currency Monitoring List: Possible Outcomes for India? The 17th G20 Summit in Bali: To Focus on Food and Energy Security
What is the Latest Amendment in the Existing Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20? Sovereign Green Bonds Framework: Final Sovereign Green Bonds framework has been Approved One Nation, One ITR Form: The CBDT Proposes a Single ITR Form For All!
What is CRAR: Why a Bank is Required to Maintain CRR? India’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) RBI To Hold Special MPC Meet on Inflation

 

IR Current Affairs:

UNESCO India Africa Hackathon 2022 is being Organized in Uttar Pradesh What is India-Australia FTA? | Know Everything about AI-ECTA for UPSC What is India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline (IBFPL)? What is Bali Yatra of Odisha? | Significance for UPSC
Removal of India from US’ Currency Monitoring List: Possible Outcomes for India? 2nd BIMSTEC Agriculture Ministers Meeting 2022 Russia’s loss in Kherson- Russia Withdrew from Kherson Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2022 (IPRD-2022)
COP 19 CITES Meeting 2022- Relief provided to Indian Handicraft Exporters G20 Summit 2023- India’s G20 Presidency & Tourism Opportunities for N-E States India’s “In our LiFEtime” Campaign Launched at COP 27, Sharm El-Sheikh 19th ASEAN-India Summit 2022- Key Outcomes and Way Forward

 

Editorial Analysis:

What is Assam-Meghalaya Dispute? | History, Present Situation and Future Challenges | Editorial Analysis National Suicide Prevention Strategy | Today’s The Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC COP27 to Create a Special Loss and Damage Fund | Today’s The Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC The Hindu Editorial Analysis- Space, Not Time The Geo-heritage Value of Ram Setu- The Hindu Editorial Analysis
The EWS Judgement! | The Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC Why India’s Fight Against Inflation Continues? | Today’s the Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC Learning from FTA negotiations in the U.K.- The Hindu Editorial Analysis Should CMs have a say in the appointment of Governors?| The Hindu Editorial Analysis for UPSC SPCBs: The Weakest link in the Air pollution Fight!
The Editorial Analysis- India’s G20 Presidency and Food Security The Editorial Analysis: United Against Terrorism The Editorial Analysis: Going Green The Editorial Analysis: How to Deal with China’s Blocking at the UN? The Editorial Analysis: Does India Need a Population Policy?

Sharing is caring!

Indo-Greek Conference 2022_3.1