• Macedonian Invasion— Alexander's Invasion (326 BC)•
• In the 4th century BC, the Greeks and the Iranian fought for the supremacy of the world. Under the leadership of Alexander of Macedonia, the Greek finally destroyed the Iranian empire.
• The next foreign invader who came to India after Persians were Greeks.
• Alexander succeeded his father Philip II to the throne of Macedonia.
• He was then only 20 years of Age.
• From his very childhood he used to dream of world-conquest. He quickly conquered many areas.
• As a preliminary step to conquer India, the Kabul valley and the hilly area of North-West frontier were conquered, and he reached Ohind near Attock in 326 BC.
• The rulers of Taxila and Abhisara submitted but Porus (Puru) refused to do so.
• Alexander, better known as 'Alexander the Great' then crossed the Jhelum by a trick. The king Porus of the kingdom Paurava was defeated in the battle that followed, but Alexander treated him very generously for his bravery. (Battle of Vitasta i.e. modern Jhelum, Greek-Hydaspes - 326 BC).
• This was how the Indians were defeated because of their disunity.
• After a brilliant victory at Sakala, the Greek forces reached the Beas. Alexander had to return from this place in Sep. 326 BC, as his soldiers refused to go any further. The battle of Jhelum and Sakla had opened their eyes and they were afraid of the great Magadhan empire across the Beas.
• After making administrative arrangements for the conquered territory, Alexander marched back.
• He reached Babylon in 323 BC where he died at the age of 33.
☼ Effects of Alexander's Invasion
1. By opening up both the land and sea routes between India and Europe, it brought both of them closer to each other.
2. Indirectly this invasion made possible the establishment of Indo-Bacterian and Indo-Parthian states, which at a later stage considerably influenced Indian architecture (Gandhara school of sculpture), astronomy, coinage etc.
3. The invasion opened the eyes of Indian politicians to the necessity of creating a unified empire.
4. The date of the Invasion of Alexander is the 'first reliable date in early Indian history' and considerably helps us in solving chronological difficulties.
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