May 326 BC · India (modern Punjab, Pakistan) Theater
May 326 BC
King Porus of the Paurava kingdom held the east bank of the Hydaspes River with 30,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, 300 chariots, and 200 war elephants. Alexander spent weeks in feinted crossings to confuse Porus about where and when the actual crossing would come. On the night of the crossing, a thunderstorm masked his movement upstream; a picked force crossed in darkness and surprised the Indian cavalry. The battle became a close-run fight — Macedonian horses refused to approach the elephants, and the phalanx was punished heavily before Craterus crossed with the remaining army to complete the encirclement. Porus fought until he was wounded and captured. Alexander, impressed by his dignity and courage, restored him to his kingdom as an ally.
Commanders