Western historians have tried to extol the cultural aspects of Alexander's
invasion and to exaggerate the extent of its impact on the East. The truth
of the matter is that he was a destroyer of civilizations and in this respect
was no better than Changez or Hulagu. He annihilated the greatest civilization
of the time flourishing in Persia under the Achaemenians, effaced the finest
cultural monuments erected by the great monarchs of that dynasty and by
setting fire to the capital city of Persepolis and several other towns
and cities, left Iran desolate and deserted. It took Iran more than six
centuries to revive and resuscitate itself from the devastation wrought
by Alexander's armies. Iran rose again and regained its lost power and
prestige under the Sassanians in the 3rd century A.D. In Pakistan also
Alexander and his forces carried out large-scale massacres. In lower Sind
alone 80,000 people are said to have been put to the sword and innumerable
men and women sold as slaves. (Early History of India, By V.A. Smith)
Since Alexander was determined to reach the eastern-most limits
of the Persian Empire he could not resist the temptation to conquer Pakistan,
which at this time was parcelled out into small chieftain- ships, who were
feudatories of the Persian Empire. Alexander entered Pakistan from the
northern route at Swat but was given a tough fight by the local forces
in which he himself is said to have been injured. Next, he reached Indus
which was crossed at a place called Ohind, fifteen miles above Attock.
The first local ruler he encountered was that of Taxila, Raja Ambhi, with
his territories lying between Indus and Jhelum. This raja, because of the
geographical position ofhis kingdom, kept himself well informed of developments
across Indus and beyond, and was shrewd and pragmatic in his approach.
Having received the information that the Achaemenian Emperor Darius III
was ignominously defeated by Alexander and that entire Iran had been over-run
and devastated by his armies, Ambhi considered it prudent to conclude peace
with the Greek dictator. Alexander was extended a glorious welcome at Taxila
where he stayed for some time and held discussions with the learned people
of the city. He was so pleased with the raja that he confirmed the latter
as ruler of the area and gave him costly presents.
Further east, however, Alexander's advance was halted by the famous
Raja Porus who inflicted considerable losses on the Greek forces. Porus
was the ruler of territories east of Jhelum. The local armies fought valiantly
and but for some tactical mistakes might have won the war. In spite of
the defeat, Porus was confirmed as ruler in his principality in recognition
of his prowess and patriotism. Moreover, Alexander did not want to antagonise
the local people and rulers in view of their potentialities and also in
view of his own limited resources. "It is clear from classical accounts
of Alexander's campaign that the Greeks were not unimpressed by what they
saw in India (i.e. Pakistan). They much admired the courage of the Indian
(Pakistani) troops, the austerity of the ascetics whom they met at Taxila
and the purity and simplicity of the tribes of the Punjab and Sind
The Greeks were impressed by the ferocity with which the women of some
of the Punjab tribes aided their menfolk in resisting Alexander." (The
Wonder that was India, By A.L. Bhasham)
"The Greeks who were much impressed by the high stature of the men in
the Punjab acknowledged that in the art of war they were far superior to
the other nations by which Asia was at that time inhabited. The resolute
opposition of Porus consequently was not to be despise."
(The Oxford History of India, By V.A. Smith)
Alexander went up to the bank of the Beas somewhere near Gurdaspur where
his army, according to historians, refused to move further. What- ever
the immediate cause, by reaching Beas Alexander had almost touched the
eastern-most frontier of the traditional boundaries of Pakistan and accomplished
his mission. It was but logical that he should return. He came down through
the entire length of Pakistan, crossed the Hub River near Karachi and departed
for home dying on the way. It should not be overlooked that during his
10-month stay in Pakistan and during his movements from one end to the
other he did not have smooth sailing. He had to fight small rulers almost
everywhere in the N.W.F.P., Punjab and Sind. The Mallois of Mullistan (Multan)
inflicted considerable losses on his forces.
Alexander's invasion of this area and the extent of his journey again
boldly highlight the fact that Pakistan's present boundaries were almost
the same in those days. From Hindu Kush, Dir and Swat to the banks of the
Beas and down to Karachi - this entire area was one single geographical,
political and cultural bloc under the suzerainty of the Persians. It will
also be recalled that this was the same area as covered by the Indus Valley
Civilization which continued to remain separate from India through the
ages. Alexander's halt and return from the bank of the Beas is not without
significance in this context. "The sphere of Persian influence in these
early times can hardly have reached beyond the realm of the Indus and its
affluents. We may assume, accordingly, that when Alexander reached the
river Hyphasis, the ancient vipac, and modern Beas, and was then forced
by his generals and soldiers to start upon his retreat, he had touched
the extreme limits of the Persian dominion over which he had triumphed
throughout." (The Cambridge History of India, Vol.1, Edited by E.J. Rapson)
The redeeming feature of this period that stands out distinctly is that
Pakistan, again, was NOT a part of India and was affiliated to a western
power. We have seen that whether during (a) the Indus Valley Civilization
3000 B.C. - 1500 B.C. or (b) during the period of Aryan settlement 1500
B.C. - 1000 B.C. or (c) during the half a millennium period after further
Aryan migrations eastward 1000 B.C. - 500 B.C. or (d) during its affiliation
with the Achaemenian Empire 500 - 325 B.C., Pakistan was all along a separate
entity having nothing to do with India. The period covered by these four
chapters of its history is from 3000 B.C. to 325 B.C., i.e., about two
thousand seven hundred years.
The immediate impact of Alexander's invasion on Pakistan
was faint and inconsequential. The long-term and indirect effects, however,
were of considerable importance which shall be discussed at a later stage.
Here we shall pick up the thread of political history and follow the destiny
of this area immediately after Alexander's departure.
