Alexander the Great’s Last Great Battle BATTLE OF HYDASPES 326 BC Alexander the Great’s Last Great Battle

BEFORE THE BATTLE crossing the river posed many problems for Alexander: flooded with monsoon rain, it was too deep for horses to cross, Porus stood on the opposite bank with 200 elephants waiting for Alexander: elephants scared the men and horses, the horses also didn’t like the smell of the elephants. Alexander needed a plan…

ALEXANDER’S CUNNING PLAN = MAKE THE ENEMY THINK I WON’T CROSS THE RIVER Alexander made many fake attempts to cross. each time the Indians came to meet him. finally Porus gave up waiting and went back to his tent messengers were to tell him when Alexander was infact crossing.

SO HOW DID HE CROSS THEN? Alexander waited for a stormy night to conceal his movement. he left behind Craterus with a small force pretending to be the army: light campfires, make as much noise as they could. all to distract Porus from Alexander’s upstream move.

PROBLEMS FOR ALEXANDER part way up river he drops of Meleager with a small force. Alexander the bulk of the army travel further upstream. they cross at what they thought was a narrowing of the river… but what was really an island in the middle of the river! Alexander acts quickly and finds a ford (neck deep in places!!!) and finally crosses to the other side.

River Hydaspes. Admana Island. Alexander’s army. Porus’ army. Alexander moves and crosses to island. Porus’ son meets Alexander and dies. Porus moves forward while Meleager crosses with rest of Alexanders army. battle rages while Craterus crosses and attacks from the rear.

FIRST PART OF THE BATTLE Alexander is seen crossing the river. thinking Alexander and his main army are still across the river, Porus sends only a small force of chariots. Porus places his son in charge. Alexander’s cavalry easily deal to the chariots which get stuck in the mud. Porus’ son is killed.

THE MAIN PART OF THE BATTLE when Porus found out his sons force had been defeated he quickly advanced to meet Alexander. Alexander’s cavalry manoeuvres allow Meleager and his army to cross the river and form up safely.

ALEXANDER’S BATTLE LINE wanted to elimate Porus’ cavalry first, THEN the infantry. placed most of cavalry on his right hand side. BUT he hid the remainder of his cavalry on the left under the command of Coenus. his orders were to ride around the Indian line and attack from the rear.

Alexander Companions Cavalry Hypaspists Phalanx Light troops Coenus’ cavalry

PORUS’ BATTLE LINE battle-ground suited Porus. infantry in the centre behind the elephants. the cavalry was placed on the wings behind the chariots.

Porus Elephants Chariots Cavalry Infantry

1. Porus shifts ALL of his cavalry to his left.

2. Alexander is first to attack when he sends his visible cavalry against Porus’ cavalry.

3. Porus takes the bait and sends in ALL his cavalry, just as Alexander had hoped.

4. Alexander’s hidden cavalry on his left move in behind Porus’ cavalry.

5. Surrounded the Indians cavalry retreats behind the elephants.

6. Alexander gives the orders for his infantry to advance.

7. Porus sends his elephants who charge through Alexander infantry.

8. Seeing this the Indian cavalry are encouraged and charge again but are forced back again.

9. Alexander encircles Indian cavalry.

10. The Indian elephants become confused and begin to attack their own, killing many.

11. Some Indians begin to flee through a gap in the Greeks line.

12. Craterus and his men are now in position behind the Indians and they clean up the fleeing Indians.

13. Porus remains with his army and fights bravely until he is wounded.

14. Porus retires from the battlefield on his elephant and then reluctantly surrenders.

FINAL SCORE IS… according to Diodorus: 12,000 Indians were killed versus the 1,000 Macedonians (!?!) according to Arrian: Indians lost 23,000 men to the Macedonians 310 men (again !?!)

AFTER THE BATTLE… Alexander was impressed with Porus. ALEXANDER: “What do you wish that I should do with you?” PORUS: “Treat as a King should be.” so…Alexander restored Porus as King and even gave him more land.

ON A SAD NOTE… Bucephalas died. Alexander founded a city near the battle site and named it Buchephala in honour of his horse. another city was also founded nearby.