Porus

Porus, also written Poros or Purus, was a king of the Paurava kingdom in the upper Indus valley during the late 4th century BCE. His realm lay in the Punjab region along the Hydaspes River, today the Jhelum in Pakistan. Details of his capital and borders are not well attested, and most information about Porus comes from Greek sources that portray him as a capable and steadfast ruler who commanded a substantial army, including war elephants.

Porus is best known for opposing Alexander the Great during Alexander’s campaign in the Indian subcontinent. In 326 BCE, at the Battle of the Hydaspes on the river’s banks, Porus faced Alexander with a diverse force. The engagement featured extensive use of elephants and posed serious challenges to Alexander’s troops, but the Macedonians eventually prevailed. The battle is remembered for the level of resistance shown by Porus and for Alexander’s measured response, which combined tactical prudence with respect for a worthy adversary.

Following the victory, Alexander reportedly treated Porus with respect and retained him as ruler of his own territory, expanding his jurisdiction under Macedonian overlordship. This arrangement helped consolidate Macedonian control over parts of the Punjab while preserving local governance under a subordinate king.

In later historiography, Porus is remembered as a symbol of noble resistance in the face of conquest. His story appears in several ancient sources, including Arrian, Curtius Rufus, and Diodorus, and it continues to be discussed by modern scholars within the context of Alexander’s Indian campaign.