Being a student of history, one thing never convinced me that Alexander the Great defeated Raja Porus in the battle of Hydaspes. I would try to make my answer as simple so the readers could enjoy till the end.
This is how the journey of Alexander as a ruler started.
336 B.C.Alexander becomes ruler of Macedonia.334 B.C.Wins Battle of the Granicus River against Darius III of Persia333 B.C.Wins Battle at Issus against Darius331 B.C.Founds Alexandria. Wins Battle of Gaugamela against Darius330 B.C.Sacks and burns Persepolis; trial and execution of Philotas; assassination of Parmenion329 B.C.Crosses Hindu Kush; goes to Bactria and crosses the Oxus river and then to Samarkand.328 B.C.Kills Black Cleitus for an insult at Samarkand.327 B.C.Marries Roxane; begins march to India
Alexander first reached near Taxila or Takshashila. According to some historians, Raja Ambhi was rival of Raja Poru and offered his support to Alexander. Alexander heard a lot about India so he was desperate to conquer it by defeating Raja Porus. For this reason, he moved towards River Hydaspes (now River Jehlum).
The Battle of the Hydaspes was fought in 326 BC between Alexander the Great and King Porus of the Paurava kingdom on the banks of the river Jhelum (known to the Greeks as Hydaspes) in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent (modern-day Punjab, Pakistan).
According to Greek historians, Alexander won the battle and pardoned Raja Porus due to his bravery and strong character. At banks of River Beas, many soldiers of Alexander refused to march further toward rest part of India as they were battling more than a decade and feeling tired. Alexander along with his soldiers then moved towards south (near Multan). There are some historical references that he faced heavy resistance from Malli tribe at Multan where one arrow was hit at his back bone. He was seriously wounded and then it was decided to march back towards Macedonia. He died near Babylon.
As a history student lets recap and analyse it.
- Darius was killed by his cousin Satrap Bessus the time Alexander was invading Persia
- As being said above, Black Cleitus was killed in Samarkand.
If you look above, this is clear that direct rivals of Alexander were killed.
If we specifically talk about Raja Porus, how it is possible for Alexander to pardon a King who was very powerful in his era? This argument could go in another way that Alexander wasn't able to conquer India and was defeated by Raja Porus. This could be the possibility that Raja Porus might have pardoned Alexander.
Secondly the resistance at Multan was unexpected for Alexander. He and his soldiers realized that if they move further, they might suffer more casualties therefore they decided to returned back to Macedonia.
As all historians were mostly Greeks at that time therefore most arguments goes in favor of Alexander than Raja Porus.
Well I respect the history but the things I raised as an argument can be valid. Raja Porus is hero of our soil and every person of subcontinent (regardless of nationality) feel proud of his bravery.
Thanks for reading.
~MAK
References.
Off Topic : My tribe Khokhar fought against Alexander's Army.
Edit1: Thanks to all wonderful people who shared and upvoted this response. I never imagined that this response will get appreciation from all corners. Thanks for making my day :).
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