Alexander reaches the Indus

Having crossed Persia and Bactria, Alexander's army descends through the mountain passes to the Indus and enters the Punjab. At the river Hydaspes a battle is fought with King Porus, whose infantry is anchored by war elephants; Porus is defeated, but receives his domains back. Further east the army refuses to go: the men are worn out by the march and the rains, and Alexander turns down the Indus toward the ocean. He held no lasting possessions in India, but in the north-west and in Bactria, Greek cities and coins with Greek inscriptions remained for a long time.