Porus – The Greek warrior from Macedonia is a very famous name in the pages of history, Alexander the great.
He was better known as Sikandar amongst the Indians and surrounding nations. There is no doubt that, he was indeed one of the greatest warrior and the king of the ancient world. With his incredible military strategies and skills, he conquered almost half of the world.
His valuable skills are still seek by many even today.
He was never satisfied with his conquests, to add another feather to his crown he marched towards India during the peak of his world reign. He decided to establish his kingdom beyond the Indus river. But this time his invasion was not as easy as his prior capturing spree. Here he faced one of the bravest soldier of the Indian history, Porus the king of Pauravs. With an unshakable determination and excellent military skills Porus was able to stop Alexander invading further to the land. Though he lost his battle against the great Sikandar, but his battle skills, presence of mind, incredible courage and unshaken determination had made a deep mark in one of the cruelest King of the world Alexander.
In order to invade India and conquer most of its parts, Sikandar had to win over Porus. But the ancient king of Pauravas was not an easy enemy to defeat.He was the strongest opponent everthe then king of the world had faced in his military conquests. Alexander crossed the Indus river and won the epic battle of Hydaspes in 326 BC against Porus, who ruled the region of Punjab on the other side of the Indus river. Many historians consider this battle to be one of the costliest war for Alexander and has created a havoc on Porus’s army. Despite losing the battle, king Porus is considered to be the mightiest warrior king Alexander ever fought. His chivalry, valor, skills and bravery impressed Sikandar so much that he decided to make him the king of his conquered western part of India, when he left the land.
The Macedonian army had tasted the vehement opposition from Porus and his army, their courage was totally shaken, and bodies were tired adjusting with the changing climate of the land. They refused to march forward after the battle of Hydaspes, which blunted their enthusiasm to win a war. When Alexander realized that though he won the war with fear and unfair means, but the courage and spirit of his brave army has been defeated. He decided to go back to Macedonia.
As per the pages of history, Porus’s loss was because of the internal conflicts amongst the kings of his country. This indifferences amongst them had made it easier for the foreign power to penetrate easily in the land. But Porus was the king of iron determination, who preferred his head to be cut off instead of giving up. Till the last moment he kept on fighting despite the betrayals and losses. Though he lost his war against Alexander, but he won over Sikandar’s heart with his resolute spirit and incredible courage, which Alexander failed to conquer.
When Porus was defeated, Alexander asked Porus what to do with him, with his confidence and high spirit he said he should be treated like a king. Seeing the nerve of his defeated opponent, who chose to stand with the head held high instead of begging for life, the greatest king of the history was so impressed with the courage and valor of King Porus, that he decided to pass the leadership of his conquered Indian provinces into the hands of King Porus before he left.
Many incidents are lost in the pages of history, and many view points surface; but one thing remains the same, when you take the name of Alexander the Great, automatically the name of King Porus comes because of being the worthiest opponent who won over Alexander’s heart. Alexander once said, “I’m not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep, I’m afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion” and Porus was that lion.
