Alexander’s Invasion of India (327-325 BCE)

Political Condition on the eve of Alexander’s invasion:

• Alexander and Macedonia invaded India after 2 centuries of the Persian invasion
• Kingdoms leading Kings on the eve of his invasion- northwestern India remained disunited 
• Ambhi of Taxila, the ruler of Abhisara and Porus who ruled the region between the rivers of Jhelum and Chenab
• There were many republican states like Nysa

Causes of the Invasion

• Alexander ascended the throne of Macedonia after the death of his father Philip in 334 BCE
• He conquered the whole of Persia by defeating Darius III in the battle of Arbela in 330 BCE
• He also aimed at further conquest eastwards and wanted to recover the Persian Satrapy of India
• The writings of Greek authors like Herodotus about the fabulous wealth of India attracted Alexander
• He believed that geographically there was the continuation of the sea on the eastern side of India, so he thought by conquering India, he would also conquer the eastern boundary of the world

Battle of Hydaspes

• In 327 BCE, Alexander crossed the Hindu Kush Mountains and spent nearly ten months in fighting with the tribes
• He crossed the Indus in February 326 BCE, with the help of the bridge of boats
• He was warmly received by Ambhi, the ruler of Taxila. From there, Alexander sent a message to Porus to submit
• But Porus refused and decided to fight against Alexander. He marched from Taxila to the banks of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum)
• As there were heavy floods in the river, Alexander was not able to cross it. After a few days, he crossed the river and the famous battle of Hydaspes was fought on the plains of Karri
• Alexander was impressed by the courage and heroism of this Indian prince, treated him generously and reinstated him on the throne
• Alexander continued his march as far as the river Beas encountering opposition from the local tribes
• He wanted to proceed still further eastwards towards the Gangetic valley. But his soldiers refused to fight. Hardships of prolonged warfare made them tired and they wanted to retire home
• Alexander could not persuade them and therefore decided to return. He made arrangements to look after his conquered territories in India
• He divided the whole territory from Indus to Beas into three provinces and put them under his governors 
• On his return journey which began in October 326 BCE, he reached Babylon where he fell seriously ill and died in 323 BCE

Effects of Alexander’s invasion

• Immediate effect- it encouraged political unification of north India under the Mauryas
• The system of small independent states came to an end
• It had also paved the way for direct contact between India and Greece
• The routes opened by him and his naval expeditions increased the existing facilities for trade between India and West Asia

His authority in the Indus Valley was a short-lived one because of the expansion of the Mauryan empire under Chandragupta Maurya.