Battle fought by Alexander the Great in 326 BCE against King Porus of the Paurava kingdom on the banks of the Hydaspes River (Jhelum River) in the Punjab near Bhera
Alexander's costliest victory in India, it spread Greek influence to the subcontinent and marked the easternmost limit of Macedonian expansion.
Key Facts
- Date
- May 326 BC
- River
- Hydaspes (modern Jhelum River)
- Region
- Punjab province, Pakistan
- Outcome
- Decisive Macedonian victory; Porus captured
- Aftermath
- Porus reinstated as Macedonian satrap
- Campaign limit
- Troops refused to advance beyond Hyphasis (Beas)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Alexander the Great, pursuing his eastward Indian campaign, sought to defeat King Porus of the Paurava kingdom, who held the eastern bank of the monsoon-swollen Hydaspes River with a large army including war elephants. Alexander needed to neutralize Porus to continue his advance toward the Ganges and assert Macedonian dominance over the Punjab.
In May 326 BC, Alexander executed a surprise night crossing of the Hydaspes River, outmaneuvering Paurava surveillance, and engaged Porus's army on the far bank. Despite facing war elephants, the Macedonian forces secured a decisive victory, capturing Porus himself in what proved to be their most costly engagement of the Indian campaign.
Large areas of the Punjab were absorbed into the Macedonian Empire. Alexander spared Porus and appointed him as a satrap, effectively restoring him as regional ruler. The battle spread Greek political and cultural influences to the Indian subcontinent. Shortly after, Alexander's troops refused to march further at the Hyphasis River, marking the definitive eastern limit of Macedonian expansion.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Alexander the Great.
Side B
1 belligerent
King Porus.