Which famous Indo-Greek ruler is traditionally said to have embraced Buddhism and is identified with the king Milinda of the text Milindapanha?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the cultural interactions between Indo-Greek rulers and Indian religions. After Alexander's campaigns, several Indo-Greek kings ruled parts of north-western India and Afghanistan. Some of them came into contact with Buddhism and other Indian traditions. One particular Indo-Greek ruler, known in the Pali text Milindapanha as King Milinda, is traditionally associated with conversion to Buddhism after a philosophical dialogue with the monk Nagasena.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks which Indo-Greek king embraced Buddhism.
• Options are Alexander, Strato I, Menander and Demetrius.
• We assume the standard identification of King Milinda with Menander.
• We accept the traditional account presented in Buddhist literature and exam-oriented history.

Concept / Approach:
The Milindapanha (Questions of King Milinda) is a Buddhist text that records a dialogue between King Milinda and the monk Nagasena. In this work, Milinda asks deep philosophical questions about Buddhist doctrine, and Nagasena's answers are said to convince him of the truth of Buddhism. Historians generally identify King Milinda with Menander, a prominent Indo-Greek ruler who governed territories in north-western India in the 2nd century BCE. As a result, competitive exams routinely describe Menander as the famous Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that King Milinda of Buddhist texts corresponds to the historical Indo-Greek king Menander.Step 2: Recall the story from the Milindapanha, where Milinda engages in dialogue with Nagasena and is said to accept Buddhist teachings.Step 3: Connect this traditional account with the exam question's wording about an Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism.Step 4: Note that Alexander, although he invaded India, is not described in Indian or Greek sources as a Buddhist convert.Step 5: Strato I and Demetrius are other Indo-Greek rulers, but they are not associated in standard exam literature with conversion to Buddhism.Step 6: Therefore, choose 'Menander' as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Ancient history and religion textbooks consistently state that Menander (Milinda) is said to have accepted Buddhism. Many MCQs are framed in exactly these terms: 'Which Indo-Greek king embraced Buddhism?' with Menander as the answer. The identification of Milinda with Menander is widely accepted for exam purposes, even though scholarly debates may discuss details of chronology and interpretation. This consistency confirms our choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Alexander: Macedonian conqueror, not an Indo-Greek ruler settled in India; no tradition identifies him as a Buddhist.Strato I: An Indo-Greek king, but not the one linked in Buddhist literature to conversion.Demetrius: Another Indo-Greek ruler associated with early expansions, but not traditionally credited with embracing Buddhism.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes see Alexander's name and pick it because he is the best-known Greek figure connected with India. Others may confuse different Indo-Greek names. To avoid mistakes, remember the simple pairing: Menander = Milinda (of Milindapanha) = Indo-Greek king who embraced Buddhism. Fixing this association will help you answer several related questions in ancient Indian history and religion.

Final Answer:
The famous Indo-Greek king who is said to have embraced Buddhism is Menander (identified with King Milinda of the Milindapanha).