Explanation
The invasions of ancient India by the Greeks, Sakas, and Kushanas occurred between the 4th century BCE and the 2nd century AD, marking significant cultural and political shifts in the Indian subcontinent due to the introduction of Hellenistic, Central Asian, and nomadic influences.
Option (a) is correct:
Greeks: In the 4th century BCE, Alexander the Great initiated the Greek invasions into India. After his death, his Indian conquests we taken over by the Seleucids and then by the Greeks of Bactria. Sakas: The Sakas, or Scythians, were a group of nomadic tribes from Central Asia who invaded north-western India in the 2nd century BC, following the path set by the Greeks. Kushanas: The Kushans, originally from Central Asia (modern China), invaded India from the 1st to the 3rd century AD.
Highlights of ancient times foreign invasions are:
Invasion Time Period Key Details Persian Invasion 6th century BCE Led by Cyrus the Great and Darius I, it occupied northwest India (Gandhara, Sindh, Punjab). Greek Invasion 327-326 BCE Alexander the Great invaded India, fought the Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE) against King Porus. Indo-Greek Invasion Mid-2nd century BCE Indo-Greek rulers from Bactria entered and controlled parts of northwest India, but never dominated all of it. Saka Invasion Late 2nd century BCE - 1st century BCE Scythians (Sakas) invaded northwestern and western India, gradually displacing Indo-Greek rulers. Kushana Invasion 1st-3rd century CE Kushanas (Yuezhi origin) entered from Central Asia and ruled northwestern India, expanding under Kanishka. Huna Invasion 5th-6th century CE White Huns (Hephthalites) attacked northern India, significantly weakening the Gupta Empire.