Porus

King Porus (left) and Alexander (right), the King of Macedonia.

Porus or Paurava (Ancient Greek: Πῶρος, romanized: Pôros; fl. 326–321 BC) was an ancient king who ruled the area between the Jhelum River (Hydaspes) and Chenab River (Acesines) of the Punjab region of northeastern Pakistan. He is only mentioned in Greek sources. He is said to be a warrior with exceptional skills, Porus successfully fought against Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC). In the aftermath, impressed Alexander not only reinstated him as his satrap but also granted him dominion over lands to the south-east extending as far as the Hyphasis. Porus is believed to have died sometime between 321 and 315 BC.

Kingdom

Porus was a ruler of Paurava kingdom in ancient India. This kingdom was situated between two rivers, Chenab and Jhelum (present day Punjab, Pakistan). According to one historian the Porus' kingdom had control over almost three hundred cities. Porus was not in good terms with the neighboring kingdom of Taxila, and had even killed the previous ruler of Taxila.

Early sources

Porus and his kingdom are only mentioned in Greek contemporary sources. His name is not found in any of the ancient Indian sources. These Greek sources also differ considerably among themselves.

Death

Porus is believed to have died sometime between 321 and 315 BC.

Battle of the Hydaspes

Porus is said to be a warrior with exceptional skills, he successfully fought against Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC). In the aftermath, impressed Alexander not only reinstated him as his satrap but also granted him dominion over lands to the south-east extending as far as the Hyphasis.

References

  1. ↑ "Battle of the Hydaspes | Alexander the Great, Map, Tactics, & Significance | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-08-27. Porus (Paurava) ruled the region between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and Acesines (Chenab) rivers, in modern northeastern Pakistan.
  2. ↑ Holt, Frank L. (2003-11-24). Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-24483-2.
  3. ↑ Bhave, Shreyas (2018-08-24). Prince of Patliputra: The Asoka Trilogy - Book I. One Point Six Technology Pvt Ltd. ISBN 978-93-5201-083-7.
  4. 1 2 KHATRI, VIKAS (2022). World Famous Wars and Battles. Pustak Mahal. ISBN 978-81-223-1281-2.
  5. ↑ UNESCO (1994-12-31). History of civilizations of Central Asia: The Development of Sedentary and Nomadic Civilizations: 700 B.C. to A.D. 250. UNESCO Publishing. p. 82. ISBN 978-92-3-102846-5.
  6. ↑ Asoke Kumar Majumdar (1977). Concise History of Ancient India: Political history. Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers. p. 136. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2021. Nothing is known of Porus from Indian sources
  7. ↑ Raychaudhuri, H. C. (1988) [1967]. "India in the Age of the Nandas". In K. A. Nilakanta Sastri (ed.). Age of the Nandas and Mauryas (Second ed.). Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. p. 147. ISBN 978-81-208-0466-1. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  8. ↑ Holt, Frank L. (2003-11-24). Alexander the Great and the Mystery of the Elephant Medallions. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-24483-2.
  9. ↑ McNab, Chris (2017-12-15). Famous Battles of the Ancient World. Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC. ISBN 978-1-5026-3246-3.