Political Condition on the eve of Alexander’s Invasion
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After two centuries of the Persian invasion, Alexander from Macedonia invaded India. On the eve of his invasion, there were a number of small kingdoms in northwestern India. The leading kings were 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. In short, the northwestern India remained the most disunited part of India and the rulers were fighting with one another. They never come together against common enemy.Yet, it was not easy for Alexander to overcome so many sources of opposition.
Causes of the Invasion
Alexander ascended the throne of Macedonia after the death of his father Philip in 334 B.C. He conquered the whole of Persia by defeating Darius III in the battle of Arbela in 330 B.C. He also aimed at further conquest eastwards and wanted to recover the lost Persian Satrapy of India. The writings of Greek authors like Herodotus about the fabulous wealth of India attracted Alexander. Moreover, his interest in geographical enquiry and love of natural history urged him to undertake an invasion of India. He believed that on the eastern side of India there was the continuation of the sea, according the geographical knowledge of his period. So, he thought that by conquering India, he would also conquer the eastern boundary of the world.
Battle of Hydaspes
In 327 B.C. Alexander crossed the Hindukush Mountains and spent nearly ten months in fighting with the tribes. He crossed the Indus in February 326 B.C. 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. Then Alexander marched from Taxila to the banks of the river Hydaspes (Jhelum). On the other side of the river he saw the vast army of Porus. 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. It was a well-contested battle. Although Porus had a strong army, he lost the battle. Alexander
was impressed by the courage and heroism of this Indian prince, treated him generously and reinstated him on his 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 he could not do so because his soldiers refused to fight. Hardships of prolonged
warfare made them tired and they wanted to return 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 the Indus to the Beas into three provinces and put them under his governors. His retreat began in October 326 B.C. and the return journey was not free from ordeals. Many republican tribes attacked his army. Anyhow he managed to reach beyond the Indus. On his way he reached Babylon where he fell seriously ill and died in 323 B.C.
Findings of Vassiliki on Alexander Invasion
One of the main biographers of Alexander whose name is Arrianos, in his book "Alexander's anavasis, Indiki", written by the time of Alexander, says that the Indians said to him and to his soldiers that around 6000 years before him, Dionysus arrived in India with a lot of people from Greece. This time as they said, the Indians were living in a nomadic way and Dionysus built very organized towns for then in Punjab where he enacted a holly place. He taught them his sacraments, music with percussion, and satyric dance drama. He taught them agriculture and he gave them cultivated seeds. Also the vineyard and how to make wine. He even gave them guns and taught them how to use them.
Arrianos says that he adorned India. He appointed a king before he left India. Many of the Greeks remained there. I read that in Indus valley ancient cities they found that there were existing dance theater and satyric sketches Archaeologists had found many human skulls of the Mediterranean race in the Indus excavation sites. Plus the chronology the archaeologists give for the beginning of this civilization is 6000 BC. Some thousand years later Rig Veda was written in Punjab too. Through much evidence I conclude that a priesthood of the Dionysian cult traveled there from Anatolia(East Asia Minor). They came to a holly place of their religion, that was Indus valley and they were been accepted peacefully by the local people. I found the name Diunisa and Diunis in Puranas. It means day-night. The same meaning has the name Dio-nysos. In Asia Minor he was also called Dionis.