Dr Ranajit Pal???

[Che Roriniho]

Hey there, long time no see, people. This is a historical question, so if this is in the wrong place, let me know.

I recently came about a theory that Diodotus of Bactria (Soter), and the great Asoka of India are the same person. I find this mind-boggling at the least, but I am treating this with a a high degree of suspicion until I find out more about the author of these claims, Dr. Ranajit Pal. Anyone know anything about either the theory or the good doctor?


Thanks again,

CHE

[Ibrahim]

Hey there, long time no see, people. This is a historical question, so if this is in the wrong place, let me know.

I recently came about a theory that Diodotus of Bactria (Soter), and the great Asoka of India are the same person. I find this mind-boggling at the least, but I am treating this with a a high degree of suspicion until I find out more about the author of these claims, Dr. Ranajit Pal. Anyone know anything about either the theory or the good doctor?



CHE

you would have to explain why Asoka is described as coming from an Indian family, while Diodotos is Greek or Makedonian.

that, and Asoka was in places where Diodotos wasn't (e.g. east India), and vice versa (e.g northern Baktria). then there are the differing reign length iirc.


but yeah, a historian will have to clarify.

[Hannibal Khan the Great]

Great, so now Baktria gets all its Indian provinces from the start?

[gamegeek2]

It's a conspiracy!

[Hax]

Apart from that, Diodotos never converted to Buddhism during his lifetime, as far as I know. Also, the Edicts of Asoka clearly speak about Asoka, not one "Diodotos".

[Mediolanicus]

This makes me think of that Russian professor who claims that Russia actually ruled the whole world during most of human history, but that history was then rewritten by the Western nations.

It was in a thread here on the .org I've read about him. An old thread; 2 years old or so...