Transition in Indian Warfare

Battle of Hydaspes and Beginning of the Real War

Abstract

This article examines the military campaigns of Alexander the Great in India, particularly his confrontation with King Paurava at the Battle of Hydaspes in 326 BCE. The analysis contrasts the military technologies and strategies employed by Alexander’s Macedonian army and the indigenous Indian forces, highlighting the significant differences in warfare practices between the two cultures. The article also traces the evolution of warfare in North India, from ritualized inter-tribal conflicts to organized state warfare, emphasizing the role of military technological revolutions (MTRs) in this transformation. The impact of Alexander’s invasion on Indian military practices, including the marginalization of chariots and the increased emphasis on combined arms formations and professional standing armies, is also discussed. The study underscores how the encounter between Alexander's forces and Indian armies marked a paradigm shift like warfare in India, influencing subsequent military strategies and practices.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46700/asssr/2024/v6/i2/2024120602010