It is being said that Alexander III of Macedon (better known as Alexander the Great), single-handedly changed the nature of the ancient world in little more than a decade. Do you really think Alexander was actually great? To know the truth, read the following article.
When Persia was defeated in the year 334 BCE, Alexander was drawn irresistibly towards the great land masses of India. However, the Persians warned him that the country was not an easy target; that many famous conquerors had fallen at the gates of India. The Persians had also given him detailed information about the Kings.
The Persians had told Alexander about the greatest king, Cyrus, who had conquered much of the civilized world and how he has been killed in a battle with Indian soldiers exactly two centuries before Alexander. The Persians also told Alexander how the Assyrian queen Semiramis, who crossed Indus got escaped with just 20 troops among the 400,000 highly trained troops while the rest were slaughtered by the Indians.
In the book of Foreign Influence on Ancient India, before Alexander, Indian cavalry and archers who formed a significant element of the Persian army had played a key role in defeating Thebes in central Greece. However, Alexander knew no fear. Moreover than anything else, he wanted to invade India. However, it proved to be a deliberate blunder.
The failure of Alexander was followed to gain a position in India. Seleucus Nikator, his successor defeated the relationships between the Greeks and the Indians.
Who actually won the battle? Alexander or Porus?
All knew that porus was being defeated by Alexander, but that fact is not true. Actually King Porus has defeated Alexander. In BC 327 Alexander visited India, and tried to cross the Jhelum river for the invasion, but was then confronted by King Purushottama (King Porus). According to the history of India, he was paused by King Porus at his entry into the country, but most of the world still believes that Alexander won the battle which is not true. In history, it is claimed that King Porus was defeated by Alexander, but, it was actually the vise versa. Later on, when he was not allowed to enter India, he then returned back to Greece, giving back the Kingdom to King Porus.
Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum):
The Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum) is which was described by the Greek contemporary writers as the hardest fought of all the Alexander’s battles. A professor of the ancient history at the University of Houston Frank Lee Holt, writes in his book,: “The only alluding in Arrian’s history by Alexander’s army to a victory celebration was after the battle with Porus.” that Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions.
In the Battle of Hydaspes, one can have skirmishes (small fights) which is a war made by a number of campaigns (number of battles). Thus, in the battle, Alexander may have won a small fight but lost the Battle with Raja Porus. Therefore, Alexander managed to kill Porus’s son by creating a bridgehead but a massive counter attack by Raja Porus resulting in conflict between the forces which resulted in heavy losses for the Macedonians. Alexander had to wait for 30 days for the arrival of a total of 8000 Cavalry,7000 infantry and 20000 suits of Armour after which he journeyed back down South. Again ALEXANDER LOST THE BATTLE AND WON A SKIRMISH.
Did Porus lose the battle?
The Macedonians realized that they were dealing with an enemy of uncommon courage. They called for a respite when the defeat has been sensed, which was accepted by Porus. The battle between Alexander and king Porus made a huge remark in the history which led many of them unknown about the truth that Alexander the great was defeated by King porus.
According to the Greeks, Alexander was evidently so impressed by King Porus and he gave back his kingdom along with the territories of king Ambhi of Taxila who fought alongside the Macedonians.
Tired of fighting was a Lame excuse:
Greek sources say Alexander would retire from India because his soldiers were worn out, homesick and close to resistance. Imagine that if German soldiers had told Hitler that they were tired of fighting? They would have been promptly shot. During Alexander’s time, the punishment was bound to a cross.
The main propulsion of Alexander’s reign was defeated so fast. With lightning fast speed, the greatest mortal hero of Greece was defeated.
From North-West India to Madison, Alexander faced many wars. We can say that his army faced a war first after coming to the Indian Border i.e. the battle with Porous. Distance from Madison to India was very long and therefore, his soldiers were unwilling to go there anymore. Porous fought bravely against the Greeks. He also had many soldiers from this community. Alexander saw their courage and braveness face to face in the time of war and was desperate in fighting who were in his mythological stories. Therefore, it forced him to come to the decision not to go anymore inside India.