Map Description

Historical Map of the Hydaspes River and Vicinity.

Battle of the Hydaspes in 326 BC — Crossing of the River


Illustrating

• Porus' Camp
• Initial Patrol
• Alexander
• Alexander's Camp
• Craterus
• Fient
• Demonstration
• Primary Crossing
• Hydaspes River

Alexander's army reached the Hydaspes (modern Jhelum) river in Punjab during his Indian campaign, where King Porus of Paurava positioned his forces on the opposite bank. The conditions were challenging: it was monsoon season with a swollen river.

Alexander employed deception. He had his troops conduct repeated movements along the riverbank with noise and fires, making such activities appear routine to Porus's forces. He also made visible preparations suggesting he would wait out the monsoon. Meanwhile, he located a suitable crossing point upstream, where terrain features could conceal his movement.

The crossing occurred in two phases:

Alexander led a portion of his force upstream during a thunderstorm, using the weather and darkness as cover. The crossing involved reaching an island before gaining the far bank. Boats and leather floats were used in the crossing, though the exact methods are not fully documented.

Craterus remained with a significant force at the original camp, with orders to cross only when Porus committed his forces against Alexander.

Craterus was one of Alexander the Great's most senior generals. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, he became one of the successor generals (Diadochi). He died in 321 BC in Asia Minor.

Credits

Courtesy of the United States Military Academy Department of History.

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