A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF PORUS-ALEXANDER WAR ENCOUNTER

 

A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF PORUS-ALEXANDER WAR ENCOUNTER

                      One of the most reliable sources for information about a recorded event of history is a good encyclopaedia.  The reason is that the information printed therein is research-based.  It is also possible that a prestigious encyclopaedia is revised and updated as frequently as possible.  Another fact is that the information imparted by encyclopaedias is brief and to the point, yet it is comprehensive.

                     We are presenting here a short account of Porus-Alexander war encounter in ancient India.  Our main source is Encyclopaedia Britannica but also some other relevant sources.

                   It is rightly said that Porus was an Indian prince who ruled the region between the Jhelum and the Chenab rivers, now in West Punjab (Pakistan).  The names of these rivers in Greek are known as Hydaspes and Acesines respectively. 

                   The war encounter between Porus (Indian Puru) and Alexander (Indian Sikander) took place in 327-326 BCE.  This was preceded by the unwillingness of the neighbouring Raja Ambhi to face Alexander as a defender of his territory.  Porus being much braver and more true to his dharma as warrior, resisted the forward march of Alexander.

                   The comparison between the war power of Porus and that of Alexander shows that the elephants and infantry of Maharaja Porus were slow in their movements and were outmatched by Alexander’s mobile cavalry and mounted archers in the battle of the Jhelum.

Though Porus was only obviously defeated, Alexander was impressed by the combative techniques and spirit of Porus and by way of appreciation, he allowed Porus to retain his kingdom and probably also ceded some conquered areas to him.  “Thereafter, having become a supporter of Alexander, Porus held the position of a Macedonian subordinate ruler when he was assassinated, sometime between 321 and 325 BCE, by Eudemus, one of Alexander’s generals, after the death of Alexander.”

                   Another piece of information according to the above-mentioned source is that “not known in Indian sources, the name Porus has been conjecturally interpreted as standing for Paurava; i.e. the ruler of the Purus, a tribe known in that region from ancient Hindu Vedic times.”

                   Our readers should not take the information given above as Biblical truth.  It is just one of the several accounts about Porus-Alexander war encounter.

                   One fact however is universally taken as true and irrefutable and that is when asked after defeat how he should be treated by Alexander, Porus replied: “As one King treats another King”.