Alexander's Invasion of India
Alexander (356 BC – 323 BC) was the son of Philip of Macedonia (Greece) who invaded India in 326 BC. At that time NW India was split up into a number of small independent states like Taxila, Punjab (kingdom of Porus), Gandhara etc.
His greatest battle was with King Porus, who was considered to be a very powerful Indian ruler during that time. The army of Greeks and Porus clashed during a fierce thunderstorm near River Hydaspes. Porus put up strong resistance against the Greeks. It was so fierce and violent that even Alexander was impressed by chivalry and power of Porus. It was during this battle that the faithful horse of Alexander got injured and died. Alexander named a city Buckephalia after the name of the horse Bucephalus. Ultimately Porus was defeated and was captured. But Alexander was impressed with the heroic Porus and decided to let him go and return his kingdom.
The effects of Alexander’s invasion were indirect :
- It exposed India to Europe, by opening up four distinct lines of communication, three by land and one by sea.
- Due to cultural contact, a cosmopolitan school of art came up in Gandhara.
- Paved the way for the unification of north India under Chandragupta Maurya by weakening small states.
Post a Comment