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Dromo's Den
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[Up] [Dromo's Den] Porus Biography PORUS (Lat., from Gk. P½ros) ( ?-317 B.C.). An Indian king, the most powerful of those conquered by Alexander the Great (q.v.). His kingdom lay in the north of India between the Hydaspes and Acesines (the modern Jhelam and Chenab), and he was a monarch of much importance and ancient lineage. When Alexander reached the Jhelam in his invasion of India in the spring of 326 B.C., he found Porus awaiting him with a strong army on the further bank of the Hydaspes (Jhelam) River. After some delay the Macedonian force succeeded in crossing the river by stratagem, and a fierce battle ensued, in which Porus was wounded and made captive. When the conqueror retired from India in the following year, he left Porus, as a token of respect for his bravery, ruler over the lands west of the Jhelam, comprising seven nations, and in addition made him an ally of his former enemy and rival Taxiles, probably Ambhi Raja of Takshasila. After the death of Alexander Porus seems to have extended his power over Sind by expelling Peithon the Greek ruler. In 317 Porus was assassinated by Eudemus, who had been made satrap of the Punjab by Alexander to administer its affairs with Taxiles. The name Porus obviously represents the Sanskrit, P³urava, or member of the race of Puru, a legendary monarch of the so-called lunar dynasty, whose descendants are represented by the Sanskrit writings as dwelling in the north of India. Consult: J. W. M'Crindle, Invasion of India by Alexander the Great (2d ed., London, 1896); V. L. Smith, Early History of India (Oxford, 1908); A. A. Maedonell, History of Sanskrit Literature (London, 1913). The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XIX (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 102. |