Previous Year Question

Nearchus, Onesicritus and Aristobulus were directly associated with Alexander's Indian campaign and came to India with him. Their original accounts of India have not survived in complete form, but later Greco-Roman writers used their narratives.

Nearchus was Alexander's naval commander. During the return of Alexander's forces from India, he was entrusted with leading the maritime expedition from the mouth of the Indus towards the Persian Gulf. His account of the sea voyage was later used by writers, particularly Arrian.

Onesicritus was also associated with Alexander's expedition and played an important role in the fleet of Nearchus. His account contained information about Indian society and philosophers. His contact with ascetics at Taxila is also mentioned in later Greek sources.

Aristobulus was among those who came to India with Alexander and wrote accounts concerning Indian geography, vegetation, society and events connected with Alexander's campaign. His observations are also known through later historians.

In contrast, Deimachus was not a companion of Alexander during his Indian campaign. He came to India later, during the Mauryan period. The Seleucid ruler Antiochus I Soter sent him as an ambassador to the court of the Mauryan emperor Bindusara. Thus, his arrival in India took place several decades after Alexander's campaign.

Therefore, Nearchus, Onesicritus and Aristobulus were associated with Alexander, whereas Deimachus was a Greek ambassador who came to India during the reign of Bindusara.