The Battle of Hydaspes: Alexander vs Porus

Exploring the Battle of Hydaspes offers invaluable insights into Indian history.  Fought between a Greek and Indian king, this battle explains cultural, historical, and military contexts. The Alexander vs Porus war took place in present-day Pakistan at the Jhelum River.

Who won the battle of Hydaspes? Alexander triumphed against the Pauravnas and defeated Porus. He annexed more areas from Punjab. But his legacy doesn’t end there. Alexander’s interest in the Indian subcontinent refined Indian military training and introduced Greek cross-culture.

Background of the Battle of Hydaspes    

Alexander the Great had always dreamt of conquering the world. He wanted to establish an empire with an undisputed military power. After annexing the Persian empire, he set his ambitions on Asia. The Aegean Sea straddling Greece and Turkey and the sea route connecting Asia to Europe shaped his ventures. It contributed to the domino effect of Alexander vs Porus.

After he conquered the first Persian empire, then called the Achaemenid Empire, he was fuelled with ambition to conquer India as well. This was because the end of the Achaemenid Empire covered some parts of the Indus River Basin. He thought conquering India would complete his ambition of capturing the Asian continent.

King Porus of Paurava: Defender of the Hydaspes

When Alexander reached India in 327 BC, King Porus flanked him. Alexander decided not to venture into the wilderness of India and set camp by the banks of the Hydaspes River. He made the offer to Porus to ally with him. Porus refused him and prepared to battle.

What did Alexander think of India?

By May 327 BC, Alexander the Great had set his sights on a new frontier: India. The land of the “Hindus,” as the Persians called them, beckoned with tales of untold wealth and prosperity. Fueled by these legends and the belief that India marked the edge of the world (conquering it would make him a true world ruler), Alexander led his army towards the northwest of the Indian subcontinent.

Alexander vs Porus the Great    

Porus held an unshakeable resistance in the Alexander vs Porus conflict. They first confronted each other as Alexander passed through the Hindu Kush Mountain range. The Indian kings defended this move. However, it soon became clear that they were unprepared to match the Greek forces.

After he annexed and fortified the region of Bactria (Greek for Afghanistan), he moved to the kingdom of Paurava (Punjab). Named after his kingdom, Porus was also called the King Purushottam. He was the only significant opponent that Alexander fought against in this region.

Alexander’s Admiration: Honoring a Worthy Foe

The epitome of cordial war rulers is seen in the Battle of Hydaspes. Alexander took the honourable road and made an offer of alliance. King Porus refused and trained for battle. Alexander’s respect for Porus’s defiance grew. He proceeded to form alliances with Ambhi Kumar, King of Taxila. He rallied against Porus with allied forces by his side.

Porus assumed ranks in the southern bank, whereas Alexander did in the north of Hydaspes River. Porus’s defences stood undeterred against Alexander’s attempts to cross. Even for their massive army of Alexander, the speed and depth of the Jhelum River proved to be a hard feat. Thus, Alexander was forced to keep his attacks and think of an alternative approach.

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Timing of the Battle of Hydaspes War    

The Hydaspes River prevented the war from happening sooner. The monsoon season peaked in its depth and pace. Plus, Alexander’s arrival time was not on his side. He invaded India in the middle of the monsoon season. He acted fast and called upon his allies for water transport vessels.

Unfortunately for Alexander, Porus’ army was stationed on the other side. While he waited for the monsoon season to end, he scoured the land for alternative entry points. He was counting on the element of surprise to overthrow Porus.

Battle Preparations    

The Greeks did their research on Indian warfare, geography, and weather. Previous invasion attempts of Persian kings offered Macedonians the insights they needed. To leave nothing up to chance, Alexander left with his entire force. He didn’t just waltz in with his Macedonian army; the Hellenic League Army and the Balkan Mercenaries stood shoulder-to-shoulder. Furthermore, he convinced Indian and Persian allies to join in his victory.

Alexander’s army recorded 45,000 Macedonian soldiers, including the cavalry and the infantry. Porus entered the battlefield with over 30,000 manpower and 1,000 chariots. Besides, Porus had an advantage over the Macedonian army— his war elephants. Elephants were included in the Hydaspes war to overrun the opponents.

However, Alexander’s wit came to his rescue. Because he recognised that horses were naturally fearful of larger animals, he devised tricks to frighten the elephants. He used his cavalry to scare off the horses.

Porus’ Army: Formidable Defenders of the Hydaspes

Alexander vs Porus was no surprise to either force. They regarded and studied each other’s military extensively. The greatest defences that played into Porus’ tactics were the Hydaspes River and his armed elephants.

Events during the Battle of Hydaspes    

The intensive Battle of Hydaspes depicted the rise and fall of two of the bravest kings in the fourth century. Let’s closely evaluate the events leading to Alexander’s victory.

Tactical Maneuvers: Alexander’s Ingenious Strategies

The Battle of Hydaspes was a part of Alexander’s grand vision for Asia. It was in India that he glimpsed defeat and still won. Behind such an overturned victory are unmatched military skills. These skills are built on flawless timing and stealth strategies.

On the battlefield of Hydaspes, Alexander split his army. A small chunk of the army faced Porus under Craterus’s leadership. He commanded the major part of his army to a Ford 27 km away. It wasn’t long before Porus understood Alexander’s strategy. Flanked with his cavalry, he marched to the river. His infantry was the heart of his formation. The elephant troops were stationed at the front.

Alexander’s formation ran a different course and came in an unanticipated shape. His heavy infantry assembled in a Phalanx in the middle. He sought to self-direct the right-wing cavalry. Coenus led the left-wing cavalry, going in an outflanking ride on the rear end of the hill.

Porous’ Counter Offensives: Resilience in Adversity

In his endless pursuit of territorial conquests, Alexander never lost sight of his opponent’s valour. Underestimating his enemy’s credibility was not one of Alexander’s shortcomings. He recognised the full-fledged scope of the Indian army. So did King Porus.

The Indian troops of striking elephants managed to break the centre phalanx formation. Although Alexander ultimately defended himself against them, the Indian infantry came next. Porus was a fast-thinker to overwhelm Alexander’s wits. His further efforts to infiltrate Porus’s infantry were futile on horses.

It looked bleak for Alexander until Coenus reappeared. Alexander exploited the Indian cavalry and ambushed the infantry. Soon after, the outcomes of the Hydaspes war became painfully obvious to Porus. He led his troops into a defensive, surrendering formation.

Military shortcomings and faults

Porus held his resistance to the very end. However, he knew when to admit defeat after giving his all. He reiterated his military faults. The elephants slowed him down and his infantry required more planning. The Battle of Hydaspes taught Porus the importance of a stable infantry and high-mounted archers.

Crossing the Hydaspes River at Night

As Alexander waited for the monsoon to end, his comrades found an alternative route. He spotted a river division roughly 27 km upstream of the banks. He positioned most of his army at this wooded place far from the original camp. During the Battle of Hydaspes, he planned to trick Porus into believing that he drove into the battlefield with all his military might. In reality, a major portion of his army was ready to surround the Porus army from the other side.

Six thousand soldiers invaded on foot, while another 5,000 mounted horses. Creterus, his general, led this force. He was under Alexander’s order to stay put unless Porus directed his entire troops on Alexander. The Hydaspes war came to a noble end after Alexander successfully caught Porus off-guard.

Aftermath of the Battle of Hydaspes    

Alexander vs Porus ended in the former’s victory. When Alexander discussed the next steps with Porus, his response did not disappoint him. He said, “Treat me with the same dignity as a king would another.” Alexander respected Porus’s wishes and returned his lands.

Post the Hydaspes war, Alexander annexed two cities around the battlegrounds. He claimed the Nicaea part of the battlefield to mark his success. The second one was on the opponent’s side. He called it the Alexandria Bucephalus after his loyal steed.

The Nanda Dynasty played an important role in the Hydaspes battle. Alexander tried to encroach the bounds of the Nanda Empire. This empire was the fifth dynasty emerging in northern India. His army ill-received this venture. Spent on endless campaigns and suspicious of confronting Indian military forces, they insisted they head west from Hyphasis. It is debatable whether there was mutiny or mere unrest in the army. Regardless, Alexander conceded. On their way back, they marched south and secured the Indus banks.

Porus’s loss in the battle of Hydaspes owes to Alexander’s strategic moves and the Macedonians. India’s military shortcomings at the time resulted in their demise. India’s infantry, cavalry, and troops fell short and incompetent against the Greeks.

Impact on Alexander’s Eastern Expedition

Libertising Porus to rule his kingdom aligned with Alexander’s policies. It said that he would make efforts to bring stability among local rules. He would find a way to include local rulers in recently conquered regions.

Alexander secured the west borders of the Hypasdes River. His vision to persist eastward didn’t sit well with his military forces. The army was still wounded from the blows of the Hydaspes war. The army was homesick, crippled under the local rulers’ defence, and sought a cooler climate.

Macedonians Refuse to Fight On    

The Macedonian army, although victorious, was burnt out. India’s competitive forces took a toll on the Macedonian military. They were still recovering while administering campaigns. Consequently, they collectively called a mutiny. Some suspect that the Nanda Army’s grand size deterred them. Others say they were merely homesick after the extensive Battle of Hydaspes.

When his Army General, Coenus, conveyed the soldier’s conviction, Alexander was swept by a dilemma. He annexed tribes on the lower Indus river banks before turning back. Then, they all headed back to the safe camps of Macedon.

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Malian Campaign: The Final Frontier    

The Battle of Hydaspes only fueled Alexander’s drive. He abandoned his pursuit eastward and detoured to the west. Down the Jhelum or Hypasdes River, Alexander defined his boundary. The Mallians and Oxydracin tribes chose to ignore the invaders despite the massive size of their army. Alexander commanded his army into the Malian Empire. He set up his camp at Acesinea and the base at Hydratois.

Reaching the Indian Ocean

Following the Mallian campaign, a weary Alexander pressed on with his troops southward. Their ultimate goal: the Indian Ocean. The sheer number of soldiers necessitated a two-pronged approach. While some embarked on a maritime voyage, others followed by land, facing the harsh realities of overland travel.

The journey home was an arduous one. The harsh conditions claimed the lives of many soldiers. It wasn’t until 323 BC that the remaining troops finally stumbled back into Babylon, a shadow of the mighty army that had set out years ago.

Tragically, this hard-won return was overshadowed by an unknown fate. Alexander’s days were numbered, and he would soon succumb to illness, leaving the legacy of his conquests forever etched in history.

Who Won the Battle of Hydaspes?    

Like most historical events, the big question of “who won the Battle of Hydaspes” relies on interpretations. Long answer short, Alexander won the Hydaspes war against King Porus. The Jhelum River witnessed this battle in present-day Pakistan.

Porus went down in history as a legendary warrior of India. He relentlessly defended his boundaries. Ultimately, Alexander outsmarted him into believing the opponent had camped. Porus put his survival second to protecting his legacy. The exceptional military forces in the battle of Alexander vs Porus are studied even today.

Significance and lessons of Alexander’s victory at Hydaspes

Cultural Exchange:

• Alexander’s conquest marked a turning point for India, opening a channel for cultural exchange. This fusion birthed Greco-Buddhist art, a unique blend of Macedonian and Buddhist influences.
• Greek historical recording methods, introduced during this period, may have benefited the preservation of later Indian history.

Alexander’s Legacy:

• Sparing Porus after victory enhanced Alexander’s image as a merciful ruler, potentially smoothing the path for Greek cultural acceptance in the region for years to come.

Military Impact:

• The battle underscored the importance of meticulous planning, including strategic maneuvers, tactical formations, and considering various battle scenarios.
• Alexander’s multi-pronged attacks and deceptive tactics, often involving feints and demonstrations, likely influenced military strategy in the Mauryan Empire. Scholars like Kautilya might have studied this battle for its valuable lessons.

Conclusion    

At Hydaspes, Alexander’s conquest ventures were piqued. He conquered the Persian Empire and headed to the Indian subcontinent. Porus put up a great fight to cease Alexander’s invasion. This led to the legendary Battle of Hydaspes. It significantly influenced Indian culture and politics. Historians trace Greco-Buddhist art to the war at Hydaspes.

Indian military strategies were modified after the Hydaspes War. The Maurya Empire revised military training and made it mandatory before stepping onto the battlefield. This inspired the legendary chariot corps formation in the Mauryan Empire.

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