Battle of the Hydaspes
Hydaspes River (modern-day Jhelum River, Pakistan)
What happened
Alexander the Great, helped by his ally Raja Ambhi of Taxila and his officers Craterus and Coenus, fought the Indian Raja Porus. Porus kept the wide, rain-swollen Hydaspes River (today's Jhelum) between his army and Alexander's. On a stormy night, Alexander led part of his army through a hidden valley and crossed the river at dawn, far upstream, while Craterus stayed in sight on the other bank. Alexander's horsemen got around the Indian army, which included war elephants, and Porus surrendered after the battle.
Why it matters
Result: Macedonian victory. Leaders: Alexander the Great / Craterus against Porus. Why it matters: Alexander fought King Porus, who rode into battle on a war elephant. Soon afterward Alexander's tired army refused to march farther east, and he turned back.
What came next
Alexander had coins made to celebrate the victory, showing a Macedonian horseman facing an elephant.
Did you know?
The monsoon rains seem to have started early that year, and the mud made it very hard for Porus's chariots to fight.
Timeline
- Early 326 BCEAlexander allies with Raja Ambhi of Taxila.
- May 326 BCEHeavy rains swell the Hydaspes River between the two armies.
- Stormy night, May 326 BCEAlexander slips away through a hidden valley and crosses the river at dawn.
- 326 BCEPorus surrenders after his army is defeated.