Did Alexander the Great defeat Porus, or did the opposite happen?

The Battle of the Hydaspes, fought in 326 BCE, was a significant military engagement between Alexander the Great of Macedonia and King Porus of the Paurava Kingdom, located in the Indian subcontinent (in present-day Punjab, Pakistan). The outcome of the battle is generally considered a victory for Alexander, although it was a hard-fought and challenging victory.

Alexander's army, which included Macedonian infantry, cavalry, and Greek mercenaries, faced Porus's forces, which consisted of infantry, cavalry, and war elephants. Despite being outnumbered and facing formidable opponents, Alexander employed strategic tactics and maneuvered his troops effectively to secure victory.

The battle itself was fierce and bloody, with both sides sustaining heavy casualties. Porus demonstrated considerable bravery and military skill, personally leading his troops into battle and fighting valiantly against Alexander's forces. However, Alexander's superior tactics, combined with the discipline and cohesion of his army, ultimately prevailed.

After the battle, Alexander demonstrated respect for Porus's courage and leadership, and he reportedly treated Porus with dignity and honour, allowing him to retain his kingdom and ruling as a vassal under Alexander's suzerainty.

While Alexander emerged victorious from the Battle of the Hydaspes, the encounter with Porus's forces marked a significant challenge in his conquest of the Indian subcontinent. The battle tested Alexander's military prowess and demonstrated the resilience of indigenous Indian kingdoms against foreign invasion.