Question

In which of the following respects did the Romans not profoundly influence Indian life and culture?
A) Coinage
B) Art
C) Astronomy
D) Fashions

Answer 1

Hint: The first emperor of the Roman Empire to have established Indo-Roman connections was King Augustus who laid the foundation of trade to build up and improve the relation of the Romans with the people of India.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze the given options:
A) The Romans, during their early stage of trade with India, used a lot of coins to purchase any form of items. A large number of coins have been found around the regions of Gujarat and southern India which shows that the trade majorly took place in these regions. Later, the kingdoms in Southern India reissued coins similar to the Roman coinage and hence, option (A) is an incorrect option.

B) The Greco-Roman art style has had a significant impact on Indian art forms and styles. Gandhara art, a type of Buddhist contemporary art that originated in the present north-western Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan, reflects this form of artistic influence. Thus, this option B is not appropriate.

C) The Roman and Greek astronomical principles laid a big influence on Indian astronomy. Varhamihira (505 CE), a mathematician and astronomer researched Indian astronomy as well as many Greek, Egyptian, and Roman fundamentals related to astronomy. This option, therefore, is the wrong answer.

D) Although Roman culture did have some significant effects on the Indian style of clothing, the major influence on the Indian fashion culture can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilization. With each invasion, the Indian clothing altered, and now it is a mash-up of other civilizations. Hence, it can be said that Roman culture did not have much influence in framing the Indian fashion and clothing system. Hence, this is the right answer.

Therefore the correct answer is an option (D) because the Romans did not have a profound influence over the Indian form of fashion and culture.

Note: The effect of Roman ideals can be observed in the establishment of legislation, the creation of democratic governance procedures, and the effect on the language system, literature, artwork, architecture, design and planning of an urban city. The best archaeological evidence of Roman presence is discovered in southern India, notably at Arikamedu, a fishing community that has existed since the Chola dynasty's reign. Indian city Mangalore, now located in Karnataka was once called the ‘Rome of the East’.