Wars of Alexander The Great: Battle of The Hydaspes River

Introduction: The Prelude to Battle

In 326 BC, the forces of Alexander the Great and King Porus were poised to clash in a battle that would decide the fate of the Punjab region. As Alexander sought to expand his territory, his gaze fell upon India, where he commenced his campaign in 327 BC. After securing several decisive victories, he faced a final opponent, who would prove to be stronger and more cunning than any he had encountered before.

The Strategic Maneuvering of Alexander

As Alexander marched through India, King Porus flanked him, forcing Alexander to acknowledge the threat posed by this formidable adversary. Recognizing that he could not leave such a dangerous opponent lurking in the jungles of India, Alexander prepared for a confrontation. He established his camp near the town of Jhelum, on the right bank of the river. Meanwhile, Porus positioned his forces on the south bank of the Jhelum River to deter Alexander from crossing. Both sides understood that a direct river crossing could cost them the war. Alexander paced along the riverbanks each night until he devised a cunning plan.

The Execution of the Plan

Alexander's strategy involved using a suitable crossing point approximately 27 km upstream from his camp. There, he would lead his troops across the river. He landed on another island, causing his troops to wade to the same island as King Porus. This maneuver was a classic pincer tactic. Alexander planned to flank Porus's main force from the right with Indian cavalry. To keep Porus unaware of the river crossing, Alexander devised numerous distractions. First, he kept Porus constantly on the move until Porus concluded it was a bluff and relaxed. Additionally, during each visit to the crossing site, Alexander made inland detours to maintain secrecy. Moreover, it was reported that an Alexander look-alike held sway in a mock royal tent near the base.

The Battle of Hydaspes

Upon realizing Alexander's strategy, King Porus decided to charge Alexander’s crossed cavalry, believing he outnumbered them. Despite being outnumbered 1:5 against the Indian infantry, the Macedonian heavy infantry phalanx gained an advantage due to their longer sarissas and the Indian troops' lighter armor. Another segment of Alexander’s army crossed the river for a frontal encounter with Porus’ war elephants. Alexander initiated the battle by deploying his Scythian hired horse archers to bombard the Indian right cavalry wing. He personally led his armored Companion Cavalry in a charge against the outnumbered Indian left cavalry. As the rest of the Indian cavalry galloped to assist their hard-pressed comrades on the right wing, Coenus's cavalry contingent appeared at the Indian rear. The Indians attempted to form a double phalanx, but the complex maneuvers only led to further confusion, facilitating the Macedonian cavalry's dominance.

Conclusion: The Aftermath and Legacy

Alexander, after decimating Porus' right flank, encircled and launched a massive assault on Porus's left flank. Predicting that Porus would have to shift cavalry from the right to the left wing, Alexander stationed his cavalry, led by Coenus, out of sight and ready to follow the Indian cavalry. This forced the Indians forward, directly into Craterus's path. Arrian reports that 12,000 Indians and 80 elephants perished in this massive pincer movement (Arrian, 1976). As Porus’ defenses crumbled, he realized the battle was lost, yet he was determined to fight until the bitter end. Alexander secured control of the Punjab region, further expanding his already vast empire. His strategic brilliance in the Battle of the Hydaspes River underscores the intellect and tactical prowess that defined his military career.

References:

• Arrian. (1976). The Campaigns of Alexander. Penguin Classics.