Understanding Megasthenes and Chandragupta Maurya

The question asks about the Indian ruler during whose reign the Greek historian Megasthenes visited India. To answer this, we need to identify the specific period when Megasthenes was in India and the ruler at that time.

Who was Megasthenes?

• Megasthenes was a Greek historian and diplomat.
• He served as an ambassador of the Seleucid king Seleucus I Nicator.
• Seleucus I Nicator was a contemporary of the Indian ruler Chandragupta Maurya.

Megasthenes' Visit to India

Megasthenes is known to have visited the court of the great Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya in Pataliputra (modern-day Patna).

• His visit took place during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.
• He compiled his observations and information about India in a famous work titled 'Indica'.
• Although the original 'Indica' is lost, fragments of his writings survive through quotes by later Greek writers like Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny.

Comparing with Other Rulers

Let's briefly look at the other options:

• Samudragupta: He was a powerful ruler of the Gupta Empire, which flourished much later than the Mauryan Empire (4th century CE). Megasthenes' visit occurred centuries before Samudragupta's time.
• Bindusara: He was the son of Chandragupta Maurya and the father of Ashoka. Megasthenes might have been present in the Mauryan court for some time during Bindusara's early reign, having arrived during Chandragupta's rule, but his primary account and embassy are associated with Chandragupta.
• Ashoka: He was the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and ruled after Bindusara (3rd century BCE). Megasthenes' visit was completed before Ashoka ascended the throne.

Therefore, the historical records confirm that Megasthenes' significant visit and his writing of 'Indica' were associated with the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.

Conclusion

Based on historical evidence, the Greek historian Megasthenes visited India during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya.