With Alexander approaching, Porus faced a dilemma. By dawn Alexander’s force had crossed the river and begun moving toward Porus’ camp.
His chosen crossing point was a headland that jutted into the river toward a wooded island, providing concealment for his landing craft. Using the weather as a screen, Alexander moved his turning force into position 17 miles upstream. One night a terrible storm arose, with rain, wind and thunder. Alexander led the turning force of 5,000 cavalry and 10,500 infantry, including 2,000 archers, while a reserve force of 1,000 cavalry and 4,500 infantry under Meleager waited for Alexander’s force to secure the far bank. A force of 3,000 cavalry and 8,000 infantry under Craterus stayed directly opposite Porus’ position. Alexander’s forces now roamed the riverbank unchallenged.Īlexander divided his army into three parts. At first Porus moved to keep him in check, but after concluding that Alexander had no intention of crossing, Porus remained in camp.
For several nights Alexander marched his cavalry up and down the riverbank as if searching for a crossing point. While calling up his landing craft, he sent for large supplies of wheat to persuade Porus that he would wait until the rainy season ended before crossing. Alexander faced a forced river crossing opposed by a strong enemy.Īlexander’s army comprised 23,000 Greek heavy infantry, 1,000 Iranian horse-archers and 8,000 heavy cavalry. Alexander marched his army 110 miles from Taxila to the Hydaspes, where Porus’ army of 30,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, 300 chariots and 200 elephants waited on the far bank. Here he learned that Porus, an Indian prince, was marshaling his army on the banks of the Hydaspes. In March 326 bc, Alexander crossed the Indus and seized Taxila, establishing a base for the invasion. Now, planning to attack India itself, he ordered shipwrights to prepare landing craft for use on the Hydaspes and Indus Rivers, which flanked the border. from the Hydaspes RiverĪlexander the Great had come 2,500 miles since crossing the Hellespont in 334 bc and conquering the Persian Empire to the Indian frontier. I also found a follow-up to the Battle of Hydaspes River Pratap will stand in between to face the huge army to protect the aan, baan and shaan of Rajputana.Paul I posted Peter's psot there. Kunwar Pratap is all set to pick up the weapons against the powerful army of Akbar who will aggressively invade the territory of Rajputana with the aim of acquiring it. This brave heart warrior is all geared up for the Maha war. Pratap faced extreme hardship living the life of a fugitive but never gave up his struggle for freedom. He is loved by his men and they stood by him in his fight for independence. The courageous Rajput of the Sisodia clan is a standalone fighter against Mughal aggression who never bent down to any temptation. Maharana Pratap, a glorious and magnificent personality is the embodiment of chivalry, perseverance, bravery, self-respect, patriotism and the spirit of independence. History is replete with stories of valor and courage about great leaders, but it is rare to find a leader like Maharana Pratap and his loyal followers who braved hardships and sacrificed immensely to save their beloved kingdom.