The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t6: 6. Defensive Measures against Alexander

The Political Institutions and Theories of the Hindus: A Study in Comparative Politics c11.t6

Language: English

6. Defensive Measures against Alexander

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The gallant resistance offered by the nations of India, both single and united, to the all-sweeping raid of Alexander, is obviously an important event in the annals of the Hindu army. The ancient European historians of that invasion furnish us with some figures about the troops of the various states that stood in the way of the Macedonian’s penetration into the Indo-Gangetic plains. The first formidable opposition came from the Assakenoi of Afghanistan. They defended their fort at Massaga with 30,000 infantry, 20,000 cavalry and 30 elephnts.² The next defendant of Hindu freedom was Poros, ruler of the Punjab between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and the Akesines (Chenab).³

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² Mc Crindle’s *Invasion of India* (Arrian, XXV; Curtius, X), 66, 194.

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³ *Ibid* (Plutarch’s *Alexander*, LXII), 310.

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Poros opposed Alexander with an army over 50,000 strong. At the battle of the Hydaspes (July B. C. 326) the centre of the Hindu army was occupied by 200 elephants stationed at intervals of a hundred feet from one another and probably in eight ranks. The infantry numbering 50,000 were placed behind the elephant corps, but with files pushed forward between the elephants. There were 3,000 cavalry and 1,000 chariots to defend the flanks. The *vyûha* (battle-order) of this force resembled a city, says Diodorus. The elephants looked like the towers and the men at arms between them resembled the lines of wall between tower and tower.⁴

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⁴ *Ibid* (Diodorus, Book XVII, Ch. lxxxvii), p. 274.

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The spirit of the Macedonians was abated, says Plutarch, by the combat with Poros, and they resolved not to proceed any further in India. It was with extreme difficulty that they had succeeded in defeating the small army of the Punjab hero. They, therefore, opposed their chief with the greatest firmness when they came to learn that the monarch of the farthest east on the banks of the Ganges was ready to fight the foreign aggressor with 80,000 horse, 200,000 foot, 8,000 chariots and 6,000 elephants.

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But before Alexander could finally retire from the Punjab he had to contest his way through every inch of the lower Indus valley. Incessant and severe were his military engagements with the sturdy republics.

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The Agalassoi met him with 40,000 foot and 3,000 horse.¹ The most warlike of these autonomous non-monarchical nations were the Malloi or Mâlavas. At the present juncture they happened to contract an alliance with the Kṣudrakas, their sworn enemies for ages. The combined armies amounted to 90,000 infantry, 10,000 cavalry and 900 chariots.² During this period the shaft used by the Indian archers was three yards long. Nothing could resist their shot, says Arrian,³ — neither shield nor breast plate, nor any stronger defence, if such there be".

Linked texts (1)

Ἰνδική — Λούκιος Φλάουιος Ἀρριανός, Ancient Greek