King Porus (Puru)

Biography

Porus (Sanskrit: Puru) was king of the Pauravas, a kingdom between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and Acesines (Chenab) rivers in the Punjab. He was reportedly physically enormous — ancient sources describe him as nearly seven feet tall, though this may be exaggeration — and he made the tactical decision to resist Alexander's crossing with a full military response: 30,000 infantry, 4,000 cavalry, 300 chariots, and 200 war elephants. His tactical dispositions were intelligent, using the elephants to anchor his flanks against cavalry, but Alexander's superior infantry and the encircling attack by Craterus's force decided the battle. Porus fought until he was wounded and too weakened to continue. When brought before Alexander and asked how he wished to be treated, he gave the famous reply that became one of antiquity's great lines. Alexander was impressed enough to restore his kingdom entirely and eventually expand it. Porus remained a loyal Macedonian ally until he was killed by Eudemus, the Macedonian satrap, around 317 BC.

Key Battles