Battle of Hydaspes River, 326 BC
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Ancient Era
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2 comments
| King Porus versus Alexander the Great: A Macedonian army under Alexander must divide its strength just to cross the river, can it stand up to the larger Pauravan Army under Porus? Click on images below to view battle; first image opens video presentation and the second image opens PowerPoint presentation.
This battle is often viewed as a Pyrrhic victory on Alexander’s part because it ended his final campaign but this is not the case. Historically and operationally, the battle changed little; Alexander’s men would have most likely refused to go any further into India. However, the battle once again demonstrated Alexander’s phenomenal tactical ability as a commander and for that, it is a reassuring victory to his legacy.
Alexander won this battle by achieving minute successes that contributed to his overall success. By crossing the river, eliminating half of Porus’ cavalry after doing so, neutralizing the Pauravan chariots with horse-archers and trusting his phalanx to hold strong against a war elephant charge, he won a great victory.
 This is only the second animation I completed and to me, it seems primitive although it is much more complex than Marathon. I am always conflicted as to how much of the pre-battle maneuvering should be covered in the animation and in this case I felt Alexander’s method of crossing the river was worth including. One of the first rules I made when I planned the first season of animations was to ensure they were consistent and featured universal standards. Obviously, I have thrown this rule out the window in order to appreciate the unique aspects of individual battles. Otherwise, this site would be called “The Science of Battle” instead of its present title I will always prefer.
- Jonathan Webb
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            Tags: alexander, Ancient Era, cavalry, envelopment of a single flank, infantry, macedonia, macedonian, pauravan, penetration of the center, porus, war elephant
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2 Comments to “Battle of Hydaspes River, 326 BC”
In regards to the Hydapsis river battle between Alexander and Porus…..
I am currently writing a high school history essay on Alexanders battles and finding some difficulty in regards to the battle that was fought at the hydapsis river. I would be very grateful if you guys could adress the following issues that I have in regards to the actual battle and final outcome?
The experts appear to accept that Alexander won the battle at the hydapsis river. Where during the battle he was so impressed with King Porus that he “allowed” the Indian kings to remain ruler of his kingdom whilst Alexander and the remnants of his army returned to Babylon. I just don’t accept this story and my arguments are:
(1) I appreciate that its based on the accounts of a Greek historian but was his document written 200-300yrs after Alexander’s death and based on the accounts of Alexander’s “spin doctors” of the time. Arians accounts could possibly be heavily influenced by Alexander’s propaganda machine of the time whose main goal was to propagate his “god-like” invincible image.
(2) As far as I am aware, prior to King Porus, every King that had fought against Alexander had either been killed in battled or executed and replaced. His treatment of King Porus seems out of character and appears more like an excuse. Rather the “allowing” Porus to reign can it not be argued that was unable to over throw him!?
(3) By the time Alexander and his men reached India they had marched thousands of miles and fought numerous battles. From what I read so far, his campaign in the region that is modern day Afghanistan was the most grueling since he was fighting a “guerilla war” against the numerous tribes in that region. I do not believe that no matter how charismatic and great leader he was, his men would not have had the morale or energy to fight an army greater then theirs and also an army that included over a 100 war elephants!
From what I have read so far, and as discussed in the documentary, their was a stand off between Alexanders army and Porus across the river. Where the widely accepted view is that some how Alexander crossed the river and defeated Porus. I have heard stories passed down from generation to generation from people brought up in Pakistan where Alexander did not in fact cross the river due to protest among his men after seeing the sheer size of Porus army and elephants. Alexander gave in and either returned to Babylon or negotiated a truce between Porus. Do you guys know of any evidence to back this up?
(4)After the battle, why the Macedonians leave and never ever attempted to conquer India again? Surely, they could have returned with reinforcements to conquer the other Kingdoms in India. In fact, by that time the Macedonians had not only Greek recruits but Persian, Egyptian and even Indians from Taxila, so what stopped them from ever going back?
(5) There is also the famous conversation between Alexander and Porus, where Alexander asks how he should be treated and Porus replied “like a king”
Ok, excuse my ignorance but how did they understand each other? Yes it can be argued that they used translators but how long where any Greeks in India prior to the battle learn the language that Porus knew or for any indian to learn Greek?
These are my arguments and it would be great to get some feedback on your thoughts as an expert? I appreciate that you have better things to do but I would be very grateful since I am unsure whether to include these points in my essay.
By Mystic on Sep 22, 2009 at 4:59 pm
All the highlighted words are REALLY annoying
By emily on Jan 2, 2010 at 8:34 pm