Q. Consider the following statements with respect to Megasthenes:

1. He was a Greek ambassador in the court of Ashoka.
2. He wrote an account 'Indica' that has survived in full till date.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
Notes: Megasthenes was a Greek ambassador sent by Seleucus Nikator to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. He lived in Pataliputra and wrote an account not only of Pataliputra but also of the Mauryan Empire as a whole. So, statement 1 is incorrect. The account of Megasthenes is called the 'Indica'. It does not survive in full. But, it has been quoted by many other Greek and Latin writers in their own accounts. These fragments have been collected and published in the form of a book, which throws a valuable light on the administration, society and economy of Mauryan times. So, statement 2 is also incorrect.

This question is part of UPSC Daily 20 MCQ Series Course on GKToday Android app.