Before the rise of Chandragupta Maurya, the two most powerful monarchs in north India were Devapi Paurava (who was called Poros by the Greeks) in the west and Nanda in the east. Poros was a very ambitious ruler and had started his career of conquest even prior to the appearance of Alexander of Macedonia in India.
Poros is a patronymic equivalent to Sanskrit Puru or Paurava, a name of an old dynasty and his real name according to H.C.Seth is Devapi. He was also known as Parvataka, the ruler of a region called Parvata. We know from Greek sources that Poros who ruled over the territories between the rivers Jhelum and the Chenab was feared and envied in the surrounding areas. He was so powerful that Darius III the Achaemenian emperor of Iran approached him for assistance to fight Alexander. Poros immediately responded by sending his elephant corps but by then Darius III had met his end.
According to Greek writers the region between the rivers Chenab and Ravi was ruled by his nephew who is called by the Greeks as Poros the younger. But according to Buddha Prakash, the region between the rivers Chenab and Ravi was also under the control of the elder Poros who had appointed his nephew to govern the region. But the control of his uncle proved irksome to the younger Poros who tried to act as an independent ruler and when Alexander arrived in India, the younger Poros tried to seek his friendship. But later when the elder Poros and Alexander patched up, the younger Poros fled to Magadha.
Allies and Adversaries of Poros
The ruler of Abhisara who ruled over regions of Poonch, Rajori and Naoshera and parts of Kashmir was an ally of Poros. He was powerful and enterprising and assisted Poros in his campaign against the Kshudrakas and the Malavas. But he was also apprehensive of the growing power of Poros and hence tried to befriend Alexander.
Beyond the river Ravi lived the Kshudrakas and the Malavas against whom Poros led a campaign but without success. Poros also tried to extend his territory north-west and as a result Ambhi the ruler of Taxila was perturbed and when Alexander arrived near his border, Ambhi befriended him to secure his assistance against Poros.
Invasion of Alexander
After conquering the Achaemenian kingdom, Alexander turned his attention towards north-western parts of India which once constituted the richest province of the Persian (Achaemenian) Empire. Alexander first defeated the ruler of Puskalavati and next entered Taksashila whose king Ambi (Taxiles according to Greek sources) welcomed Alexander and sought his support against Poros. From Taksashila Alexander sent an envoy named Cleochares to Poros to demand tribute from him and ask him to come to meet him on the frontier of his kingdom. Poros replied that he would meet him at the appointed place in arms.
The battle of Jhelum
Alexander marched with his army consisting of 5300 cavalry, 15,000 infantry and at least 14,500 archers and stationed himself on the southern side of Jhelum and was faced by Poros whose army according to Diodoros consisted of 3000 horses, 1000 chariots, 130 elephants and 50,000 infantry. The Greeks were on a lookout for a passage across the river and made several attempts to cross the river but were repelled by the Indians. Finally through a stratagem, the Greeks were able to cross the river 17 miles away from the camp where the opposite army faced each other and surprised the Indians. A fierce contest took place. The battle continued all day long the Greeks sometimes pursuing and sometimes fleeing from the elephants. Due to rains the previous day Poros’s chariots got struck in the mud and became useless for action. It was Poros who led the elephants which created havoc among the Greek soldiers and according to Ethiopic texts many Greeks threw off their weapons and thought of going over the enemy’s side. Alexander, who himself in great distress ordered a cease-fire and approached Poros with the proposals of peace. The work ‘History of the Jews’ by Joseph Ben-Gorian also says that as the war prolonged a great number of Alexander’s soldiers were destroyed and the remaining counseled Alexander to make peace with Poros.
Arrian remarks that Alexander sent his friend Taxiles (Ambi) to persuade Poros to make peace with him. But as Ambi reached near Poros, his blood boiled at the sight of his old enemy and he threw a javelin at Ambi with such force that it would have broken his bones had not he (Ambi) galloped his horse back very quickly. Instead of feeling humiliated by the disrespect shown for his envoy, Alexander sent messengers after messengers to Poros and at last sent Meroes, a friend of Poros to him to come to terms with him.
Chandragupta Maurya mediates peace
Meroes is identified with Chandragupta Maurya who had entered into an alliance with Alexander for the invasion of Magadha and was keenly desirious of fostering friendship between Alexander and Poros so that his plan may not fizzle out. Poros agreed to the proposal of Meroes and made peace with Alexander. It is said that Poros was overpowered by thirst and fatigue, dismounted and took a draught of water and when he felt relieved allowed himself to be led to Alexander’s presence. When Alexander heard of his approach he rode forward with a few companions to meet him and admired his handsome personality and majestic stature. He saw with wonder that Poros did not seem to be broken or abased in spirit but advanced to meet him as one brave king would meet another. Alexander requested Poros on how he wished to be treated and Poros replied as befits a king.
Did Alexander really win the battle of Jhelum?
Greek writers tried to throw a veil on the issue of the battle of the Jhelum. Justin and Plutarch hold that Poros was taken prisoner at the end and V.A.Smith takes the same view. Diodoros suggests that Poros fell into the hands of Alexander who gave him to the Indians to be cured of his wounds. All Greek authorities agree that Poros was reinstated in his state and that the territories conquered by Alexander in India were added to his domains. This sounds strange and incredible that a victor gave his own conquered territory to a defeated enemy instead of annexing his dominions to his own state. History affords no parallel to this event in the light of which we may judge how far it is believable. All that we know about the treatment that is meted out by a victorious king to his vanquished rival goes against the reality. It is said that Alexander wanted to make friends with Poros in consideration of the valour displayed by him in the battlefield.
Alexander was vengeful and ruthless in character
Alexander was known for his ruthlessness, vindictiveness, who did not tolerate any resistance or insult and went all-out to eliminate everyone that came in his way. For instance Alexander had ordered Bessos, a gallant fighter to be whipped, mutilated and executed. Alexander had flung a lance at Kleitos who was the brother of his nurse and the saviour of his life in the battle of the Granicus simply because Kleitos had praised his (Alexander’s) father Philip on an occasion. He ordered his most trusted general Parmenion and his son to be put to death on account of a flimsy rumour of conspiracy. Also he had imprisoned and tortured to death Kallisthenes, the nephew of his teacher, Aristotle, because he had made any unsavoury comment on Alexander’s adoption of oriental manners. In the course of his return journey to his home, Alexander had put innocent men, women and children to death in lower Punjab and Sindh and had burnt Persepolis and destroyed many cities of his defeated enemies. Hence it is unbelievable that Alexander was so lenient towards Poros, his most redoubtable enemy who inflicted a heavy loss on him, so as to add to his power and prestige even after defeating him with great difficulty.
The battle of Jhelum ended in a stalemate
Among Indian historians H.C.Seth holds that it was Poros who won the battle while S.Chattopadhyaya holds that the war was evidently a drawn game and Poros was able to maintain his position and that it is doubtful if Alexander advanced beyond the Jhelum. According to Buddha Prakash when Poros retired from the battle-field to rally as many forces as remained on the battle-field and led a desperate elephant charge on the Greek armies, Alexander thought discretion to be the better part of valour and opened the overtures of peace with him. Likewise Poros was prevailed upon by his friend Meroes (Chandragupta Maurya) to come to terms with Alexander and make him an instrument of invading Magadha. Therefore both the belligerents patched up an honourable peace before the outcome of the battle could be specified. Alexander’s invasion left Poros’s prestige, power and domains much more extended.
Alexander was awestruck by Poros’s personality
Poros was tall and stately in person, brave at heart, foremost in darting his javelins at the enemy and a great terror on the field of battle. He made such a deep impression on the mind of Alexander that he decided to make friends with Poros instead of risking a fight to the finish. Poros presents a striking contrast to the other opponents of Alexander who either flew from the battlefield or submitted to his behest or hugged him as their supporter.
Alexander’s troops refused to fight
The treaty of Alexander with Poros strengthened the anti-Magadha movement that was launched by Chanakya and Chandragupta Maurya in the Punjab. Henceforth the aim of Alexander and Poros was to liquidate the small states of the Punjab and then to advance against Magadha. The battle with Poros had depressed the spirit of the Macedonians and made them unwilling to advance further into India. But Poros promised Alexander with full assistance and himself went up to the Chenab with him. From there he returned to his capital to recruit a large army and organize his elephant corps for Alexander’s help.
Meanwhile Alexander marched against the Kathaians at their stronghold Sangala where a fierce battle was fought. About 17,000 Indians were killed and Sangala was razed to dust by the Greeks. When Alexander moved near Beas, his troops were alarmed by the reports of the strength of the people living beyond the Ganges and totally refused to advance further and Alexander was forced to retrace his steps. First he went to the capital of Poros and there conferred the sovereignty of the territories conquered by him in India on him in the presence of dignitaries and then set sail down the river Indus back to his home.
Poros helps Chandragupta Maurya capture Magadha
After Alexander left India, the people of north-west India rose in revolt against the Greek generals and governors left by Alexander to rule on his behalf. Poros and Chandragupta Maurya became the leaders of this revolution and liberated the country from foreign domination. Later Chandragupta Maurya accompanied by Poros proceeded to conquer Magadha. They were joined by the Shakas, Yavanas, Kambojas, Kiratas (Mongoloid mountaineers), Parasikas (Persians), Balhikas (Bactrians) and others settled in Punjab and also one Dingarata identified with Eudamus, whom Alexander had left in Punjab with a Greek army. This large army led by Poros and Chandragupta Maurya and directed by Chanakya besieged Pataliputra and put an end to the rule of the Nandas.
Poros was assassinated at the instance of Chanakya
As per the pact entered by Chandragupta Maurya and Poros the empire of the Nandas were to be equally divided between themselves like two brothers. But Chanakya the mastermind of the campaign against the Nandas had realized that Poros was more powerful than Chandragupta Maurya and could easily one day eclipse him (Chanakya). Hence he hatched a conspiracy and got Poros killed by Eudamos. It is said Poros’s son Malayaketu was later restored with his fathers’s domain and he left for Punjab. In 316 B.C. fighting in a battle, he lost his life and his kingdom became a part of the Mauryan empire.
Greatest king of ancient India
During his lifetime, Poros as a king was greater than Chandragupta Maurya. This fact was clearly mentioned by Megasthenes who tells us that he resided at the court of Chandragupta Maurya, the greatest king of India and also at the court of Poros, who was still greater than Chandragupta Maurya. It was only after the death of Poros that Chandragupta Maurya became the undisputed master of north India.
Misrepresented and unsung hero of Modern India
It is very unfortunate that even today the distorted accounts of the Greek writers on the encounter between Poros and Alexander have not been rectified in the history books authored by Indians and students are still taught that Poros being defeated, was taken as prisoner and Alexander was magnanimous enough to treat him with respect. Alexander who was awestruck by Poros’s personality and eager to make peace with him is referred as Alexander the Great while the patriotic and heroic Poros who dared Alexander is mentioned as just Poros without any honorific.
Reference
Buddha Prakash – Studies in Indian History and Civilization, Shiva Lal Agrawala & Co, Agra, 1962
Buddha Prakash – Poros the Great, Gautam Publishers, Lahore, 1994
H.C.Seth – Identification of Parvataka and Poros, The Indian Historical Quarterly, vol -17, 1941.
H.C.Rayachaudhuri – Political History of Ancient India, University of Calcutta, 1972
K.A.N.Sastri Edited – Age of the Nandas and Mauryas, Motilal Banarasidass, Delhi, 1967
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