Alexander and Porus Story
Once upon a time, in the region between the rivers Jhelum and Chenab in North India, there ruled a valiant king named Porus. Known to his people as Paurava, he was a strong and proud ruler who valued courage above all.
One day, a messenger arrived in his court. The man had fair skin and spoke a foreign language, bringing a simple but bold message:
“Submit to King Alexander, or prepare for war.”
Porus had heard of Alexander the Great, the warrior king from a faraway land. Alexander’s conquests were legendary—he had vanquished Egypt, overthrown the mighty Persian Empire, and was now marching towards the Indian borders. Many kings along the way had surrendered without a fight, but Porus was different.
With quiet confidence, Porus declared,
“Tell your king that we will meet him on the battlefield.”
The Gathering Storm
Alexander wasted no time. He marched to the banks of the Jhelum River, where Porus awaited him. Heavy rains had swollen the river, making it swift and dangerous to cross. Porus knew this and camped his army at the only shallow crossing point.
The Indian king also had a secret weapon: war elephants—mighty beasts that the Macedonian army had never faced before. These elephants towered over soldiers, their strength and size striking fear into the hearts of their enemies.
But Alexander was a clever strategist. He gathered his generals and said,
“We must take him by surprise. Find another spot to cross the river.”
The Surprise Attack
Under the cover of darkness, Alexander led a small section of his army to a hidden crossing point upstream. By dawn, they had crossed to the other side without opposition.
When Porus learned of this, he quickly sent a portion of his army to confront the attackers. But Alexander’s troops were well-prepared and defeated them swiftly, leaving Porus vulnerable.
Meanwhile, the rest of Alexander’s army crossed the river and joined the battle. Encircled from all sides, Porus, who stood seven feet tall, climbed atop his mighty war elephant. From there, he urged his soldiers to fight with everything they had.
The battle was fierce, with both sides showing incredible valor. However, the Macedonian forces gained the upper hand. Porus fought bravely to the last, his body struck by numerous spears. Eventually, his loyal elephant bent down, gently laying its king on the ground. Even as the enemy closed in, the elephant carefully pulled the spears from Porus’s wounded body, refusing to leave his side.
The Meeting of Kings
Porus was captured and brought before Alexander. Instead of showing fear, the proud Indian king stood tall, his dignity unbroken. Alexander, impressed by Porus’s courage, asked,
“How do you wish to be treated?”
Porus replied,
“Act as a king.”
Curious, Alexander asked,
“What do you mean?”
Porus’s answer was simple but profound:
“When I said, ‘Act as a king,’ everything was said.”
Alexander, struck by the wisdom and bravery of Porus, got up, walked over to him, and shook his hand warmly. For the first time, the world conqueror had found his match in the Indian king.
The Legacy of Porus and Alexander
This historic battle took place in a region that is now part of modern Pakistan. Though Alexander was victorious, he treated Porus with great respect, even returning his kingdom to him.
Their story, based on Plutarch’s Lives, is remembered as a tale of bravery, respect, and the meeting of two extraordinary leaders.
The Lesson We Learn
The story of Alexander and Porus teaches us the importance of courage, dignity, and mutual respect, even in the face of conflict. True greatness lies not in victory alone, but in honoring one’s opponent.
