Which of the following statements with regard to external factors influencing North-West India is/are correct? 1. Achaemenid invasions weakened the tribal polities of Gandhara and Kamboja, leaving North-West India fragmented. 2. Alexander’s invading troops crossed the Vipasa and successfully overthrew the Nanda Empire in Pataliputra. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Persian incursions prevented political integration in the North-West, leaving small states like Gandhara and Kamboja vulnerable and fragmented, which allowed Magadha to expand unhindered in the East.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Alexander’s army mutinied at the Beas River (Hyphasis) out of exhaustion and fear of the massive Nanda army, refusing to march further east toward Pataliputra.