Previous Year Question
Turamaya, a contemporary of Asoka, was the ruler of
Egypt
Corinth
Macedonia
Syria
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
The correct answer is Egypt.
Turamaya or Tulamaya, mentioned in the inscriptions of Asoka, is identified with Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt. Ptolemy II ruled the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt approximately from 285 to 247 BCE and was a contemporary of Asoka.
The principal basis of this identification is Asoka's Major Rock Edict XIII. While describing the spread of his conquest through Dhamma, Asoka mentions several Greek rulers governing territories beyond the Indian subcontinent.
In this inscription, Antiyoka is identified with Antiochus II Theos of Syria, Turamaya/Tulamaya with Ptolemy II Philadelphus of Egypt, Antikina with Antigonus II Gonatas of Macedonia, Maka with Magas of Cyrene, and Alikasudara is generally identified with Alexander of Epirus or Corinth.
This also demonstrates that Mauryan India possessed knowledge of the major Hellenistic kingdoms and their rulers in West Asia and the Mediterranean region. The names of these rulers have also provided historians with important evidence for establishing the chronology of Asoka's reign.