After Alexander defeated the last of the Achaemenid Empire's forces in 328 BC, he began a new campaign to extend his empire towards India in 327 BC, through the Khyber Pass. Alexander invited all the chieftains of Gandhara to submit to his authority. Ambhi, ruler of Taxila, whose kingdom extended from Indus to Jhelum ( Hydaspes, in Greek), complied. The alliance combined their forces against Taxila's neighbour, the king of Hydaspes King Porus, whose territory spanned between the Hydaspes and Acesines (Chenab River) and who had spurn Alexander's command to surrender and chose to fight.
The Battle of the Hydaspes was fought in 326 BC between Alexander and Porus on the east bank of the Jhelum in the Punjab region of modern-day site of Mong in Pakistan.
This battle may be one of the earliest witnesses to "Deception" and "Feint" attacks.
Alexander fixed his camp in the vicinity of the town of Jhelum on the bank of the river. Porus deployed on the other bank. The river was deep and fast. Porus shadowed Alexander's troops preventing him to cross. Greek historian Arrian in the 2nd century AD quotes how Alexander "feint attacks" across at many places but crossed the river 27 km to the north and effectively deceived Porus.
Porus awaits the attack of Alexander, July 326 BC
It was a tough battle with both developing respect for each other's valour. Throughout the battle, Alexander is said to have observed with growing admiration the valour of Porus and understood that Porus intended to die in battle rather than be captured. Alexander however, defeated Porus and founded a city of Nicaea (Greek for Victory) on the site. Nicaea later had a mint too.
Porus was called by Alexander after the battle. Wounded in his shoulder, standing over 2 m (6 feet 7 inches) tall he was asked by Alexander, how he wished to be treated, Porus replied "Treat me as a king would treat another king". Alexander was further impressed and allowed him to retain his land and reinstated him as a 'satrap' of his kingdom and granted him dominion over land to the Hyphasis (Beas).
Surrender of Porus to the Emperor Alexander, engraving of 1865 by Alonzo Chappel
In 326 BC, the army of Alexander approached the boundaries of the Nanda Empire. His army, exhausted from the continuous campaigning and concern at the prospect of facing yet another gigantic and strong army got dejected and demanded to return. The unrest took place at the Hyphasis (River Beas) at a place known as Kathgarh, near Mirthal, about 20 km from Pathankot.
Kathgarh, (Himachal Pradesh) is located about 3-4 km from Mirthal and 20 km from Pathankot, on the meeting point of the Beas and the Choch rivers. The famous Shiv Temple housing two Lingas of grey sandy stone of 6 feet and 4 feet 7 inches in height above the ground level personify Lord Shiva and Parvati respectively. These are 3 and a half feet apart at the bottom and 2 inches apart at the top. They have been worshipped since ancient time and the distance between the two increases and decreases as per the seasons until they join on "Shivratri."
Arrian, the Greek historian wrote in his book "Indica", translated by Watson McCrindle, p5 ' Alexander did not penetrate beyond the river Hyphasis (Beas)'. "Arrian's Anabasis of Alexander", Book V, Chapter XXV gives details of the apprehensions of the soldiers not to proceed further. It was reported that the country beyond the river Hyphasis (Beas) was fertile and that the men of that place had a much greater number of elephants than the other Indians and that those men were of great stature and excelled in valour. In the art of war, the Indians were far superior to the other nations inhabiting the area at that time.
Many Greek historians and Generals, Aristobouos, Diognetos, Baeto, Onesikrtios, Nearchos and others wrote in their memoirs about the Indian terrain and events. Though their work is not readily available, the writings can be found in the works of historians like Strabo and Pinny.
Alexander finally gave in and turned south, along the Indus, securing the banks of the river as the borders of his empire. Before Alexander returned, he built four walls enclosing the sandstone Lingas and a platform with minarets on sides towards the river Beas at Kathgarh, that are present even today.
It was Maharaja Ranjit Singh who after offering his prayers built the Shiv temple here. He would drink water from the ancient well near the temple before starting any major task.
There is, however, no evidence to believe that the stone could be a statue of Apollo, or a victory stone built by Alexander on a high platform to mark the spot from where he retreated, as claimed by some.
Wonderful piece of information. Fascinating!! Thanks
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