He added to his empire an Indian province that was much larger than that conquered by Iran, though the Greek possessions in India were soon lost to the then Maurya rulers. The Indian campaign of Alexander was a triumphant success. He also founded some cities to Alexander’s invasion provided the first occasion when ancient Europe came into close contact with ancient India. But his territorial possessions were divided into three parts, which were placed under three Greek governors. Most conquered states were restored to their rulers who submitted to his authority. He had barely any time to organize his conquests. He remained in India for 19 months (326-325 B.C.), which were full of fighting. ![]() On his return march, Alexander vanquished many small republics till he reached the end of the Indian frontier. He was forced to retreat, and his dream of an eastern empire remained unfulfilled. The king who had never known defeat at the hands of his enemies had to accept defeat from his men. So, despite the repeated appeals of Alexander to advance, the Greek soldiers did not budge an inch. It was the kingdom of Magadha ruled by the Nandas who maintained an army far outnumbering that of Alexander. Especially the Greek soldiers were told of a formidable power on the Ganga. In the art of war, the Indians were far superior to the other nations inhabiting the area at that time. They had also experienced a taste of Indian fighting qualities on the banks of the Indus, which made them desist from further progress. The hot climate of India and ten years of continuous campaigning had made them home-sick. The Greek soldiers had grown war-weary and disease-stricken. He wanted to move still further eastward but his army refused to accompany him. ![]() Then he advanced as far as the Beas river. So he restored his kingdom to him and made him his ally. Although Alexander defeated Porus he was impressed by the bravery and courage of the Indian prince. When he reached the Jhelum, Alexander met from Porus the first and the strongest resistance. Ambhi, the ruler of Taxila, readily submitted to the invader, augmented his army, and replenished his treasure. But they could not put up a joint front the Khyber Pass remained unguarded.Īfter the conquest of Iran Alexander moved on to Kabul, from where he marched to India through the Khyber pass and reached the Indus. Together they might have effectively resisted the advance of Alexander. Among the rulers of these territories, two were well-known Ambhi, the prince of Taxila, and Porus whose kingdom lay between the Jhelum and the Chenab. Alexander found it easy to conquer these principalities one by one. The area was parceled out into many independent monarchies and tribal republics which were strongly wedded to the soil and had a fierce love of the principality over which they ruled. The political condition of north-west India suited his plans. He was also inspired by the mythical exploits of past conquerors, whom he wanted to emulate and surpass. He had heard that on the eastern side of India was the continuation of the Caspian Sea. Alexander also possessed a strong passion for geographical inquiry and natural history. Herodotus, who is called the father of history, and other Greek writers, had painted India as a fabulous land, which tempted Alexander to invade this country. From Iran, he marched to India, obviously attracted by its great wealth. Alexander conquered not only Asia Minor and Iraq but also Iran. Under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia, the Greeks finally destroyed the Iranian empire. the Greeks and the Iranians fought for the supremacy of the world. ![]() Having subdued Syria, Egypt, and Persia, the next marched to invade the unknown land of gold. But at length, in 327 B.C., the great Greek conqueror Alexander found his way there. For besides the merchants, who grew rich with their trafficking, few journeyed to India. Yet little was known of the land of gold and spice, of gems and peacocks. From there these ship-men fetched such “great plenty” of gold and precious stones, that “silver was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon.” The court, too, of many an ancient heathen king and queen was made rich and beautiful by the treasures of the East. He must have traded with India when he built great ships and sent “his shipmen that knew the sea” to sail to the far land of Ophir, which perhaps may have been in Africa or equally the island of Ceylon. The splendors of King Solomon came from out the East. For through long ages India has been a place of trade. At a time when our little island was still unknown, still lost in the cold grey mists of the ocean, ships sailed from India’s sunny shores, and caravans wound through the sandy deserts laden with silks and muslins, with gold and jewels and spices.
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