Battle of the Hydaspes
326 BCE · Hydaspes River (Punjab) · World · Ancient
Alexander made a night crossing of a swollen river for a surprise flank attack, countering Porus's war elephants with cavalry and skirmishers.
Belligerents
Macedon
- Commanders
- Alexander the Great
- Strength
- About 40,000 infantry and cavalry
Kingdom of Porus
- Commanders
- Porus
- Strength
- About 30,000 infantry and cavalry, about 200 war elephants
Background
The farthest great pitched battle of Alexander's eastern campaign, facing unfamiliar Indian war elephants.
Course of the battle
- Night crossingTaking advantage of a rainy night, he secretly crossed the river upstream.
- Neutralize the elephantsJavelin-armed skirmishers enraged the war elephants, which then trampled their own troops.
- EncirclementCavalry envelopment forced Porus to surrender.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 326 BCE |
|---|---|
| Place | Hydaspes River (Punjab) |
| Result | Alexander made a night crossing of a swollen river for a surprise flank attack, countering Porus's war elephants with cavalry and skirmishers. |
| Winner | Macedon |
| Casualties | Porus's army suffered heavy losses and most of his war elephants were subdued; Porus was captured and then released. |
| Territorial change | Macedonian power reached the Indus valley, the limit of its conquests. |
Impact
Alexander's last great victory and the end point of his eastern campaign.
See the world in 326 BCE on the map →