Question

Alexander the great defeated Porus in the year ______.
a. 326 BC
b. 327 BC
c. 325 BC
d. 324 BC

Answer 1

Hint: The Battle of Hydaspes was fought between Alexander the Great and Porus on the banks of the Hydaspes River. This battle was Alexander’s 4th and last campaign of conquest in Asia.

Complete answer: Alexander the Great defeated Porus in the year 326 BC.
(i) After the conquest of the Persian Empire, Alexander decided to conquer Northern India. King Porus of Paurava blocked his advances on the Hydaspes River (Jhelum in Punjab, present-day).
(ii)Porus underestimated Alexander’s brilliance as a warrior and though the Hydaspes river would be a natural advantage for him and monsoon rains would further benefit him.
(iii)In the battles, Porus’s son died. Even though both of the kings were brilliant warriors and the number of soldiers on both sides was almost the same, close to 50,000, Alexander was able to defeat Porus.
Therefore, the correct answer is option a.

Note: After defeating Porus, Alexander was so impressed by him as a warrior that he allowed him to rule his kingdom on the condition that he accepted his defeat and agreed to act as a subordinate king. Alexander then went on towards the Indian ocean, but his army refused to go any further with him, this forced him to return to Babylon where he died in 323 BCE at the age of 32.