Who was the first Iranian (Persian) ruler to conquer and rule parts of the Indus Valley?

Correct Answer: Darius I

Subject: history

Cyrus
Shaharsh
Darius I
Cambysis

Explanation: • Darius I (Darius the Great, 522–486 BC) extended Persian Achaemenid Empire to Indus Valley (~518–516 BC) • Made Punjab and Sindh the 20th satrapy (province) — highest tribute-paying region (360 talents gold) • He commissioned Greek admiral Scylax to explore the Indus River (~516 BC) • Persian influence on India: Kharosthi script (from Aramaic); Ashokan pillars show Achaemenid design influence • Cyrus the Great died fighting Massagetae (530 BC) without stable Indus control • Xerxes (Shaharsh) maintained the territory but did NOT originally conquer it