Read the following paragraph, comprehend, and answer the questions given below:
The first important traveller to India was a Greek named Megasthenes. He lived here for a number of years and wrote about our country and people in his book Indika. This is not available now, but some little pieces are still there. With their help, it is possible to make a picture of India as it was at that time.
About 2400 years ago, Seleucus, a general of Alexander the Great, tried to recapture the territories once held by his master but afterward conquered by Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta defeated him in 305 B.C. The defeated Seleucus sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the court of Chandragupta.
Megasthenes observed our two largest rivers, the Ganges and the Sindhu. These rivers were used for journeys, only during the rainy season they could not be used because they were flooded. Roads were also used, and the best-known road ran from the northwest to Patliputra. It had shady trees, signposts, rest houses, and wells along with it and maybe called a forerunner of the present Grand Trunk Road.
The numerous trees that grew in India also attracted his attention. The banyan tree whose branches grew downwards and took root particularly charmed him.
About the people of India, Megasthenes says that Indians were generally tall and slim. Most People wore a white cotton dress, which contrasted with their dark complexion. The rich, however, wore gaily coloured linen clothes. They wore ivory carvings and gold ornaments.
Megasthenes undoubtedly admired the Indian character. He says that the Indians behaved in an orderly manner. They just followed their customs and traditions. They did not care for written contracts. In business deals, they took a man at his word.
What were the conditions which brought Megasthenes to India?
About 2400 years ago, Seleucus, a general of Alexander the Great, tried to recapture the territories once held by his master but afterward conquered by Chandragupta Maurya. Chandragupta defeated him in 305 B.C. The defeated Seleucus sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to the court of Chandragupta.
Megasthenes observed our two largest rivers, the Ganges and the Sindhu. These rivers were used for journeys, only during the rainy season they could not be used because they were flooded. Roads were also used, and the best-known road ran from the northwest to Patliputra. It had shady trees, signposts, rest houses, and wells along with it and maybe called a forerunner of the present Grand Trunk Road.
The numerous trees that grew in India also attracted his attention. The banyan tree whose branches grew downwards and took root particularly charmed him.
About the people of India, Megasthenes says that Indians were generally tall and slim. Most People wore a white cotton dress, which contrasted with their dark complexion. The rich, however, wore gaily coloured linen clothes. They wore ivory carvings and gold ornaments.
Megasthenes undoubtedly admired the Indian character. He says that the Indians behaved in an orderly manner. They just followed their customs and traditions. They did not care for written contracts. In business deals, they took a man at his word.
