Origins & Early Life

Porus or Poros (Ancient Greek: Πῶρος Pôros; fl. 326–321 BC) was an ancient Indian king whose territory spanned the region between the Hydaspes (Jhelum/Vitasta) and Acesines (Chenab/Asikani) rivers. He is only mentioned in Greek sources. Said to be a warrior with exceptional skills, Porus fought against Alexander the Great in the Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Following the conflict, Porus retained his kingship. Alexander not only reinstated him as his satrap but also expanded his jurisdiction to include dominion over lands to the south-east extending as far as the Hyphasis (Beas River/Vipasha). Porus reportedly died sometime between 321 and 315 BC. The only contemporary information available on Porus and his kingdom is from Greek sources, whereas Indian sources do not mention him. The Greek sources differ considerably among themselves.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Michael Witzel conjectures that Porus was a king of the Pūrus, a Vedic tribe, who existed as a marginal power in Sapta Sindhu after their defeat in the Battle of the Ten Kings. Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri largely agreed with this identification. Quintus Curtius Rufus mentions Porus' vanguard...

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