Alexander the Great Defeated in India - Part I

Alexander III of Macedon (20 July 356 BC – 10 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Greek: Ἀλέξανδρος ὁ Μέγας, Aléxandros ho Mégas Koine Greek, was a king (basileus) of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He launched unprecedented military campaign through Asia and northeast Africa, and created one of the largest empires of the ancient world by the age of thirty, stretching from Greece to Northwestern India. It is claimed that he was undefeated in battles and is widely considered one of history's most successful military commanders. I intend to challenge that notion with this blog and make a case that Alexander was defeated in Punjab in 326 BC and escaped India badly bruised and in disarray.

Alexander the Macedonian

Conquest of Persia

Persia was a powerful empire that had attacked Greece multiple times. Alexander broke the power of Persia in the decisive battles of Issus and Gaugamela. He subsequently overthrew Persian King Darius III and conquered the Achaemenid Empire in its entirety.

Alexander conquers Persia

After burning down the ancient city of Persepolis, Alexander sought to reach the "End of the world and the Great Outer Sea" and invaded India in 326 BC. Greek historians claim that he won an important victory over the Pauravas at the Battle of the Hydaspes. Greek historian say that he turned back at the demand of his homesick troops. Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC, the city that he planned to establish as his capital.

Is ths entirely true?

Arrival at NW Frontiers

The campaign took Alexander through Media (NW Persia), Parthia, Aria (West Afghanistan), Drangiana (SW Afghanistan) , Arachosia (South and Central Afghanistan), Bactria (North and Central Afghanistan), and Scythia (Central Asia).

Alexander first conquered Bactria and then invited the chieftains of the former Satrap of Gandhara (Eastern Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan), to submit to his authority. Omphis (Indian name Ambhi), the ruler of Taxila, whose kingdom extended up to the Indus, complied, but the chieftains of some hill clans, including the Aspasioi and Assakenoi refused to submit.

Gandhara Kingdom

King of Gandhara, Ambhi (Called Taxiles by the Greeks based on his capitol Taxila) heard about Alexander's plunder of Persia and hastened to prevent the wrath of Alexander. He met Alexander with valuable presents, placing himself and all his forces at his disposal. In return Alexander presented him with "Persian robes, gold and silver ornaments, 30 horses and 1000 talents in gold".

Gandhara King Ambhi in Alexander;s Court

After dealing with the Aspasioi and Assakenoi, Alexander crossed the Indus where he was confronted b a ruler known to the Greeks as Πῶρος Pôros (Latin: Porus), whose name suggested that he was a member of the Paurava dynasty (whose founder was supposedly named Puru).  Arrian writes about Porus, in his own words "One of the Indian Kings called Porus a man remarkable alike for his personal strength and noble courage, on hearing the report about Alexander, began to prepare for the inevitable. Accordingly, when hostilities broke out, he ordered his army to attack Macedonians from whom he demanded their king, as if he was his private enemy. Alexander lost no time in joining battle, but his horse being wounded in the first charge, he fell headlong to the ground, and was saved by his attendants who hastened up to his assistance".

King Porus - Paurava

The dscendents of Porus are the "Puri" Khatris of the Mid-Punjab region. Most are Sikhs or Hindus and migrated to India after the creation of Pakistan.

Crossing Hydaspes River

The Battle of the Hydaspes was fought by Alexander in July 326 BC against Porus (Paurava), a Kshatriya king of Mid Punajb region located on the Hydaspes River (Jhelum). The battle of Hydaspes river was not only Alexander's last battle; it was also the most costly battle that his armies fought.

Porus believed and hoped Alexander would have to either wait for the monsoon season to end before crossing or simply abandon his quest and leave. Despite heavy monsoon rains, Porus drew up on the south bank of the Jhelum River, and was set to repel any crossings.

River Jhelum - Hydaspes

The Jhelum River was deep and fast enough that any opposed crossing would probably doom the entire attacking force. Alexander knew that a direct crossing would fail and Porus is prepared to pounce. During a stormy night, Alexander and his smaller army slipped away from the Jhelum through a hidden valley, out of sight of Porus. At dawn, Alexander crossed the Jhelum, about 27 km (17 miles) upstream from his initial camp. The name of the place is 'Kadee'.

Battle positions at Zhelum River

Ambush of Patrol Party

Porus could not believe the news that the Macedonians had reached the east bank. He sent his son Malayketu to find out what had happened. Alexander ambushed the patrol party sent by Porus. In the fierce encounter, Malayketu killed Alexanders's horse with one blow and Alexander fell to the ground. Arrian also writing about the same encounter adds that "Other writers state that there was a fight at the actual landing between Alexander's cavalry and a force of Indians commanded by Porus's son, who was there ready to oppose them with superior numbers, and that in the course of fighting he (Porus's son) wounded Alexander with his own hand and struck the blow which killed his (Alexander's) beloved horse Buccaphalus."

Buccaphalus killed by Son of Porus

The Greeks prevailed due to a large force and Porus' son was killed along with his smaller patrol.

Battle of Hydaspes

Porus now saw that Alexander's crossing force was larger than he had expected, and decided to face it with the bulk of his army. Arrian records that in the final encounter with Alexander, Porus employed all his cavalry, 4,000 strong, all his chariots, 300 in number, 200 of his elephants, and 30,000 of efficient infantry along with 2,000 men and 120 chariots detached earlier in the day under his son's charge. Porus, atop his elephant, led his elephant corps instead of the usual double-horse chariot used by Indian kings.

The fighting style of Porus' soldiers was described in detail by Arrian: "The foot soldiers carry a bow made of equal length with the man who bears it. This they rest upon the ground, and pressing against it with their left foot thus discharges the arrow, having drawn the string far backwards for the shaft they use is little short for three yards long, and there is nothing can resist an Indian archer's shot, neither shield nor breast plate, nor any stronger defense if such there be." 

The Macedonians had never encountered elephants. They were terrorized by the sheer size of the war elephants and their ferocity.

Greek Cavalry meets War Elephants of Porus

Diodorus wrote about the battle tactics of war elephants - "Upon this the elephants, applying to good use their prodigious size and strength, killed some of the enemy by trampling under their feet, and crushing their armour and their bones, while upon other they inflicted a terrible death, for they first lifted them aloft with their trunks, which they and twisted round their bodies and then dashed them down with great violence to the ground. Many others they deprived in a moment of life by goring then through and through with their tusks"

Battle of Hydaspes

Porus's army were poised with cavalry on both flanks, the war elephants in front, and infantry behind the elephants. These war elephants presented an especially difficult situation for Alexander, as they scared the Macedonian horses. The elephants caused heavy losses to the Macedonians, with their tusks fitted with iron spikes and lifting some before trampling them. Alexander sent his phalanx to attack the elephants, which were forced back on their own side. They tried to box the Indian infantry and cavalry, many of whom were trampled to death.

Alexander started the battle by sending horse archers to shower the Porus's left cavalry wing, and then used his cavalry to attack Puru's cavalry. Meanwhile, the Macedonian phalanxes had crossed the river to engage the charge of the war elephants.

Alexander commanded the Companion cavalry and the mounted archers of the Dahae, which were on his right wing. Seeing that his left wing chariots were outnumbered by the Macedonian cavalry, Porus moved his right wing chariots to the left; at that moment, Coenus moved to the now undefended Indian right wing and encircled the enemy lines, attacking them in the rear. Meanwhile, Craterus crossed the river and joined the other Macedonians.

Tactical Map of the Battle of Hydaspes

Did Alexander Concede to Porus?

The heavy rains made the it difficult for the elephants to charge on wet slippery ground. Indian archers found it difficult to leverage their larger bows on the ground to aim at the advancing Macedonians. From now on, the Indians were on all sides surrounded, and the battlefield changed into a killing ground. Porus refused to accept defeat and fought till the end. According to Justin, during the battle, Porus challenged Alexander, who charged him on horseback. Alexander fell off his horse in the ensuing duel, his bodyguards carrying him off.

Porus challenges Alexander

Alexander was staring at a potential defeat. According to Curtius Quintus, Alexander towards the end of the day sent a few ambassadors to Porus: "Alexander, anxious to save the life of this great and gallant soldier, sent Texile the Indian to him (to Porus). Texile rode up as near as he dared and requested him to stop his elephant and hear what message Alexander sent him, escape was no longer possible. But Texiles was an old enemy of the Indian King, and Porus turned his elephant and drove at him, to kill him with his lance; and he might indeed have killed him, if he had not spurred his horse out of the way in the nick of the time. Alexander, however, far from resenting this treatment of his messenger, sent a number of others, last of whom was Indian named Meroes, a man he had been told had long been Porus' friend".(Arrian Page 180)

Admiration of Porus by Greek Historians

Greek historians agree that Porus bravely fought until the end unlike Darius who fled after being defeated during the Battle of Gaugamela. Two sons of Porus were killed during the battle, as well as his relative and ally Spitakes, and most of his chieftains.

Throughout the battle King Porus remained on his elephant, despite suffering severe wounds, refusing to admit defeat and surrender. Alexander approached the proud, defeated king and asked him how he wanted to be treated. Wounded in his shoulder, standing over 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall, but still on his feet, he was asked by Alexander how he wished to be treated. "Treat me, Alexander, the way a King treats another King" Porus responded. Alexander respected this and told Porus he would remain king, owing allegiance to Alexander.

Alexander meets Porus after Battle

Alexander did not continue, thus leaving most of Pentopotamia (Punjab) unconquered. Afterwards, Alexander founded Alexandria Nikaia (Victory), located at the battle site, to commemorate his triumph. He also founded Alexandria Bucephalus on the opposite bank of the river in memory of his much-cherished horse, Bucephalus, who carried Alexander through the Indian subcontinent, and died heroically during the Battle of Hydaspes.

Did Porus Defeat Alexander?

Rogers (1970), questions the accuracy of this entire event, writing that Porus would never have said those words. According to Plutarch this was one of Alexander's hardest battle " The combat then was of a more mixed kind; but maintained with such obstinacy, that it was not decided till the eight hour of the day." Plutarch also wrote that the bitter fighting of the Hydaspes made Alexander's men hesitant to continue on with the conquest of India, considering that they would potentially face far larger armies than those of Porus if they were to cross the Ganges River.

I have a few questions for the Western historians doubting the historical accuracy of Greek version:

• Was Alexander captured by Porus after he fell from his horse?
• Why would Alexander send Taxiles and later Meroes to Porus to broker peace if he won the battle of Hydaspes?
• Did the battle end in a stalemate with Meroes brokering treaty between Porus and Alexander?
• Why did Alexander retreat from Punjab? 
• Did Greek soldiers refused to fight in India because they were homesick or they were traumatized by the battle of Hydaspes?
• Is it possible that the event of the battle were spun by the Greek historian to portray graceful retreat of Alexander from Punjab but infact it was a demoralizing defeat?

More on Alexander's ungraceful retreat from Pentopotamia in Part II ...

References

1. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2009/20090329/spectrum/main5.htm
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_the_Great
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_campaign_of_Alexander_the_Great
4. http://burnpit.us/2012/05/battle-hydaspes-river-alexander-great-defeats-indian-king-porus
5. http://wunderkammertales.blogspot.com/2016/05/victorious-hellenes-should-dance-again.html
6. https://in.rbth.com/blogs/2013/05/27/marshal_zhukov_on_alexanders_failed_india_invasion_25383
7. http://savitri.in/blogs/light-of-supreme/alexanders-invasion-ambhi-was-not-a-traitor-by-arun-nigudkar
8. http://history.stackexchange.com/questions/10104/why-didnt-alexander-invade-india
9. https://pparihar.com/2015/08/16/true-story-of-alexander-west-hiding/
10. https://controversialhistory.blogspot.com/2007/04/myth-of-alexander-victory-in-india.html
11. http://www.menumagazine.co.uk/book/dawnofhistorymore.html
12. http://murugan.org/research/gopalapillai.htm
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxiles
14. http://www.ancient.eu/Gandhara_Civilization/
15. http://www.menumagazine.co.uk/book/dawnofhistorymore.html