Which of the following Greek scholars was sent as an ambassador to the ancient Indian capital Pataliputra by Hellenistic sovereigns?

Introduction / Context:
Ancient Indo Greek contacts are an important part of early Indian history and are frequently tested in exams. One of the most significant Greek figures connected with India is Megasthenes, who visited the Mauryan court at Pataliputra as an ambassador of Seleucus Nicator. His account, known as Indika, is a valuable source of information on society and administration in Chandragupta Maurya's time. This question checks whether you can correctly identify Megasthenes among other well known Greek philosophers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The capital mentioned is Pataliputra, associated with the Mauryan Empire.
• The context is Indo Greek diplomatic relations.
• The options include Plato, Aristotle, Megasthenes, and a generic none of these.
• We assume the exam refers to the most famous Greek ambassador in Indian history.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is straightforward name to role mapping. Plato and Aristotle were great philosophers in Greece but never served as ambassadors to Indian courts. Megasthenes, however, was specifically sent by Seleucus Nicator to Chandragupta Maurya and lived at Pataliputra, observing the administration and culture of the empire. His name is therefore the correct link when the question talks about a Greek ambassador to Pataliputra.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note that the question mentions an ambassador at Pataliputra during ancient times. Step 2: Recall that Megasthenes wrote Indika describing the Mauryan Empire. Step 3: Examine the options: Plato and Aristotle were teachers and philosophers in Greece with no such Indian mission. Step 4: Identify Megasthenes as the historical diplomat linked to the Mauryan court. Step 5: Recognise that none of these is unnecessary because a correct name is already present. Step 6: Select Megasthenes as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling textbook summaries which explicitly state that after Alexander's campaign, Seleucus Nicator sent Megasthenes as his ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya. Many MCQ compilations also ask who wrote Indika and name Megasthenes. Connecting these two facts provides a strong cross check, since the same person is both the ambassador and the author of the Greek account of India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Plato is incorrect because he was a philosopher in Athens, founder of the Academy, and lived much earlier than the Mauryan period. Aristotle is wrong because he was a philosopher and tutor of Alexander but not an ambassador to Indian courts. None of these is incorrect since a clearly correct and historically documented option, Megasthenes, is available. These wrong options test whether candidates can distinguish Greek philosophers from Greek envoys connected with India.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students confuse the roles of Alexander, Seleucus, and Megasthenes or think Aristotle might have travelled with Alexander to Asia. Another pitfall is ignoring the word ambassador and simply picking a familiar philosopher's name. To avoid such mistakes, always link Megasthenes with Indika and with the Mauryan court at Pataliputra, and remember Plato and Aristotle only as major thinkers in Greece.

Final Answer:
The Greek envoy sent to Pataliputra was Megasthenes.