Eternal India Encyclopedia

LURE - THRU THE AGES

Eternal India encyclopedia

ALEXANDER'S INVASION 326 B.C.

Overview *

Alexander of Macedonia invaded India in 326 B.C. as a part of his world conquest * Defeated the king of Jhelum, Porus, at the battle of Hydaspes. * Lack of leadership and unity among In- dian tribes and treachery of Ambhi, the King of Taxila, contributed to the victory of the Greeks. * Greeks stayed in India for a brief period of 19 months. * Aspired to propagate Hellenic culture in India. * Greeks retreated in 325 B.C. * Alexander died in Babylon at the age of 33, in 323 B.C. Advent Alexander the Great, the king of Macedonia, aspired to conquer the world, and establish a world kingdom; he defeated the King of Persia and proceeded to conquer Egypt and Babylon (331); finally embarked on the Indian expedition (326-25). The Greeks cap- tured Punjab, defeated the King of Jhelum and built two cities near Jhelum river to com- memorate their victories. Small kingdoms of northern India, with their ill-organised mili- tary and leadership gave clear and easy pas- sage to the Greek army and their victories. * Greek empire was partitioned in 321 B.C.

Impact * Despite the invasion of India by Alexander and bloody wars fought, India remained unchanged. She continued to live in splen- did isolation. * Alexander stayed in India only for a brief period of 19 months and it was very diffi- cult to leave behind any significant mark. * Prompted political unification of India. * It opened up a free intercourse between India and the West. * Number of Greeks wrote what they saw of India.

made himself master of Greece, he decided to overthrow the Persians-the hereditary enemies of the Greeks; inflicted two severe defeats on the king of Persia (333 and 331 B.C) and occupied his realm; founded Alexandria in 331 B.C.; the death of Persian king in 330 B.C. gave him undisputed mastery over the Achaemeniam empire. Soon he determined to invade India, crossed the Hindukush and made his base at Kabul, subdued the wild tribes of the region of the Hindukush, sought to recover Indian satrapies that were once under the Persian control; his generals took the city of Pushkalavati; crossed Indus at Ohind, the capital of Northern Punjab, Taxila under Ambhi surrendered to him; defeated Porus, the King of Jhelum at the Battle of Hydaspes, greatly impressed by the bravery and personality of Porus returned his kingdom; to commemorate his victories built two cities - Nikaia and Boukephala; later subdued the tribes of Chenab and Ravi, captured Sangla, the capital of Kathas; after vast conquests, his army refused to move further beyond the Beas, unable to pacify his soldiers he ordered the retreat in 325 B.C.; In 323 B.C. reached Babylon near Baghdad and died at the age of 33; later the Greek empire was partitioned in 321 B.C. After his death, in Punjab Chandragupta Maurya started the rebellion to expel the Greeks, and when, Alexander's general, Seleucus invaded Punjab he was defeated.

Chronology * Alexander

356-323 B.C.

* Alexander's Ascendency * Death of Alexander.

335 B.C. 323 B.C.

Wars * Defeat of the Persian king Darius I at Issus (333 B.C.)

* Destruction of Tyre (332 B.C.) * The Battle of Arbela (331 B.C.)

* Capture of Egypt and Babylon (331) * Occupation of Ecbatana(330B.C.) * Indian expedition (326-325 B.C.) * Capture of Punjab (under Ambhi) * The battle of Hydaspes against Porus, the king of Jhelum. 326 B.C.

Causes of Indian defeat * Lack of effective leadership * Lack of unity.

Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) Alexander III was the son of Phillip the II the king of Macedonia. He was the student of Aristotle. He was one of the greatest conquerors the world has ever seen. Having