Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 7 India and Iran Persia PDF Download

India And Iran (Persia)

7.1 Indian Subcontinent And Iran

Geographically Iran is the region which forms a link between the east and west of Asia. Naturally Iran held an important position in the trade and also in the cultural exchange between East Asia and West Asia.

The Iranian empire was established by Cyrus II (also known as Cyrus the Great) of the Achaemenid dynasty. He was from the tribe of 'Pars'. This tribe dwelt in the mountainous region in the northwest of Iran and adjacent to Afghanistan. This region was known by the tribe's name, 'Pars'. Even the main city of the region was known by the same name, 'Pars'. Greeks knew the city by the name, 'Persepolis'. The Iranian empire was known as 'Persian empire' because it originated in the Pars region.

Emperor Cyrus II had begun to build a new capital at 'Pasargade'. However, it did not get completed in his lifetime. His son, Cambyses II succeeded him. He moved back to Susa and re-established his capital there. Cambyses II had conquered Egypt.

Daryush I, who succeeded Cambyses II reinforced the fortification walls of Susa. He also built a massive palace and a hypostyle (many columned) hall known as 'Apadana'. He also built the city of 'Persepolis' in the style similar to Susa. He built a palace and apadana in Persepolis also.

Teacher's Note

Iran is like a bridge between East and West Asia. Just like how India connects South Asia to the rest of the world, Iran connected many empires and cultures in ancient times.

Exam Trick

Remember: Cyrus II started it. He built Pasargade but did not finish it. His son Cambyses II moved to Susa. Think of it as: Cyrus started, Cambyses completed the family work.

Points To Remember

Iran is the link between East Asia and West Asia in trade and culture.
Cyrus II founded the Persian empire and the Achaemenid dynasty.
Cyrus tried to build Pasargade but could not finish it.
Cambyses II moved the capital to Susa.
Daryush I built big palaces and the city of Persepolis.

Excavated evidence has sufficiently proved that the trade and cultural relations between the Indian subcontinent and Iran have continued since the Harappan times. The empire of Elam, contemporary to the Harappan civilisation, existed in the southwest regions of Iran. It was culturally closer to Mesopotamia. Its capital was at 'Susa'. Hence, it was also known as 'Susiana'. Many dynasties ruled Iran at later dates but all of them maintained their capital at 'Susa'. The archaeological evidence found at Susa has confirmed the trade and cultural relations between Iran and the Harappan civilisation.

Teacher's Note

Trade between India and Iran is very old. Even in Harappan times, people from these two places bought and sold things to each other. Just like today when we buy things from different countries.

Exam Trick

Remember: Harappa to Susa. Both are very old and both had trade. Susa was the capital of Elam and later of many Persian rulers. Write Susa = old trade with Harappa.

Points To Remember

Trade between India and Iran started in Harappan times.
Elam was a kingdom in southwest Iran near Mesopotamia.
Susa was the capital of Elam and also called Susiana.
Many dynasties ruled Iran but kept their capital at Susa.
Archaeological finds at Susa prove old trade with Harappa.

7.2 Conflict Between The Iranian (Achaemenid) Empire And Greece

The trade that was conducted from Asia and the Persian Gulf to Mesopotamia and Egypt expanded to Greece and Rome. The ancient routes used by caravans of merchants were provided with safety and security by the Persian emperors. They rebuilt some of the routes. Cyrus II and Daryush I developed the route beginning from Susa and reaching the Mediterranean Sea. This route is known as the 'Royal Road'. Some of the branches of the Royal Road linked the Indian subcontinent and Egypt. Alexander started from Macedonia on his expedition to India. He used the same route to reach India.

Greek historians have recorded the frequent battles between the Achaemenid empire and the city states in Greece. Among them the records of Herodotus are important. The Achaemenid emperors first conquered the kingdoms in West Asia and then the city states in Greece. Then also they continued to have intermittent battles. The rising of the Ionian Greeks against the Achaemenid rule is supposed to be significant.

Cyrus II conquered Lydia, a Greek state to the north of Mediterranean Sea, around the mid of the 6th century B.C.E. As a result, the Ionian Greek city states under the Lydian rule, inevitably became part of the Achaemenid empire. The Greeks in Ionia had migrated to Anatolia, that is, the Asian part of the Turkey. It is also known as 'Asia Minor'.

During the reign of Daryush I all Ionian city states got together and rebelled against the Achaemenid rule. The rebellion was subdued completely after a struggle of five years by the Achaemenid army.

The effects of this unsuccessful rebellion are important for understanding the interrelationship between Greece and Persia in the ensuing period. The Ionian Greeks had received help from the states of 'Athens' and 'Eretria' in Greece. Hence, Daryush I attacked Athens. At this time the battle between Daryush I and Athens was fought on the grounds of Marathon near Athens. Therefore, it is known as the 'Battle of Marathon'. Daryush I was defeated in this battle.

Xerexes, the successor of Daryush I, tried once again to invade Greece. However, he was also defeated. Thereafter the conflict between the Achaemenids and the Greeks continued over a prolonged time. Ultimately, Athens and the confederacy of other Greek city states declared a war for independence against the Achaemenid rule in Greece. Neither of the two had a conclusive victory. In 449 B.C.E. a treaty was signed between the Greek confederacy and the Achaemenids.

As the effect of this prolonged conflict the Achaemenid rule grew weak. This was bound to reflect in the political and financial spheres. An impact of this conflict was to manifest in the way of the invasion of Persia by Alexander III, the king of Macedonia, who was later regarded as the 'Conqueror of the World'.

Teacher's Note

The Royal Road was like the highways we have today. It connected many countries and helped trade. The Persians kept it safe so merchants could travel. Like how the government keeps our highways safe today.

Exam Trick

Remember: Royal Road connects Susa to Mediterranean Sea. Alexander used this same road to reach India. Write Royal Road = trade route for empires.

Points To Remember

The Royal Road was built by Cyrus II and Daryush I from Susa to the Mediterranean Sea.
It was used for trade and later by Alexander to reach India.
Greek city states fought against Achaemenid rule.
The Battle of Marathon was between Daryush I and Athens.
Both Persian and Greek forces were strong but neither won completely.

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