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  • Essay / Wars of Alexander the Great: Battle of the Hydaspes River

    In 326 BC, the forces of Alexander the Great and King Porus were to clash, a battle that would decide the fate of the Punjab region. As Alexander wanted to expand his territory, his gaze turned to India, where he began his campaign in 327 BC. After a few decisive victories, he would face one final opponent who would prove stronger and smarter than any he had ever fought. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay As Alexander marched across India, King Porus flanked him. Alexander knew he could not let this dangerous adversary hide in the Indian jungle and prepared for a confrontation. Alexander set up his camp near the town of Jhelum, on the right bank of the river. Porus stopped on the south bank of the Jhelum River to discourage Alexander from crossing the river. Both sides knew that a direct crossing of the river would cost them the war. Alexander paced the banks of the river every night until he came up with a cunning plan. His plan was to use a suitable crossing, about 17 miles upstream from his camp. This is where he would lead his troops. He landed on another island, forcing his troops to ford to the same island as King Porus. His plan was a classic pincer maneuver. He would eventually attack the Indian cavalry flanking either side of Porus' main force from the right. So that Porus would not know about the river crossing, Alexander designed many traps that would keep Porus busy. First, Porus was continually on the move until he decided it was a bluff and relaxed. Second, on each visit to the site of the crossing, Alexander took a detour inland to remain in secrecy. Additionally, it was reported that there was an Alexander lookalike who ruled in a fake royal tent near the base. When King Porus realized what had happened, he decided to charge Alexander's crusader cavalry thinking he was outnumbered by them. The Macedonian heavy infantry phalanx was outnumbered 1:5 against the Indian infantry. The Indian infantry still suffered setbacks due to the range of the enemy's longer sarissas and being light or unarmored across the torso. The other part of Alexander's army crossed the river for a head-on encounter with the war elephants of Porus' army. Alexander began the battle by sending his Scythian horse archers to shower the right wing of the Indian cavalry. His companion armored cavalry was sent to the outnumbered Indian left cavalry, with him leading the charge himself. The remainder of the Indian cavalry galloped towards their beleaguered kinsmen on the right wing, but at that moment Coenus' cavalry contingent appeared in the Indian rear. The Indians tried to form a double phalanx, but the complicated maneuvers required caused even more confusion in their ranks, making it easier for the Macedonian horse to conquer. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized paper now from our expert writers. Alexander, destroying the right flank of Porus, circled around the left flank of Porus and launched a massive attack against the left flank of Porus. Alexander correctly assumed that Porus would be forced to move the cavalry from the right wing to the left. Alexander anticipated this and placed his cavalry, under the command of Coenus, in front of them and out of sight. Their job was to break their cover and follow the Indian cavalry, which required the Indians to.