Nagasena

Saint / religious leader Indo-Greek Kingdoms
active c. 150 BCE

Buddhist monk whose dialogue with King Menander forms the Milindapanha.

🗺 See the map in their time

Their world

Move along the chart to see their age in any year, who ruled and what happened; click anything to open it.

Nagasena
active c. 150 BCE
Events
185 BCE180 BCE160 BCE140 BCE120 BCE115 BCE

The map shows Indo-Greek Kingdoms around their lifetime and where the events of their lifetime took place.

Hover a dot for the event; click it to open the full map in that year.

Rulers of the time

Pandukabhaya
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 437–367 BCE
Chandragupta Maurya
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 321–297 BCE
Bindusara
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 297–273 BCE
Ashoka
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 268–232 BCE
Devanampiya Tissa
King, Anuradhapura Kingdom · c. 247–207 BCE
Dasharatha
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 232–224 BCE
Samprati
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 224–215 BCE
Brihadratha
Emperor, Mauryan Empire · c. 187–185 BCE
Bimbisara
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 544–492 BCE
Ajatashatru
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 492–460 BCE
Udayin
King, Haryanka Dynasty · c. 460–444 BCE
Shishunaga
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 413–395 BCE
Kalashoka
King, Shishunaga Dynasty · c. 395–367 BCE
Mahapadma Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 345–329 BCE
Dhana Nanda
King, Nanda Dynasty · c. 329–321 BCE
Demetrius I
King, Indo-Greek Kingdoms · c. 200–180 BCE

Events in their lifetime

c. 180 BCE Demetrius I invades northwest India
Founded Indo-Greek rule south of the Hindu Kush.
c. 161 BCE Dutugemunu unites Sri Lanka
c. 150 BCE Kharavela's Hathigumpha inscription
c. 150 BCE Menander's reign; Milindapanha dialogues
c. 150 BCE Bharhut stupa railings carved

Contemporaries

Sorted by how long their lives overlapped. The bar shows when, within Nagasena’s life.

Patanjali
Scholar / historian · active c. 150 BCE
Grammarian who wrote the Mahabhashya on Panini
Overlap: 60 years

📚 Recommended reading

Textbook

Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)

NCERT · NCERT

The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims SSC State PSC
Textbook

Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)

NCERT · NCERT

Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains SSC State PSC
Textbook

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)

NCERT · NCERT

The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims State PSC

We may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. See all recommended books →

Test yourself in the quiz →