Mallian campaign
Mallian campaign | |
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Part of the Punjab region 30°42′N 72°18′E / 30.700°N 72.300°E | |
Result | Hellenic conquest of the Mallian homeland (modern day Pakistan) |
League of Corinth
Hephaestion
Peithon
Craterus
The Mallian campaign was conducted by Alexander the Great from November 326 to February 325 BC, against the
Background
The campaign against the Malli (identified with the Malavas[1][2]) occurred a year after Alexander crossed the Hindu Kush,[4][page needed] and eight years after the start of his campaigns against the Persian Empire. At this time, his conquests stretched from Greece into India; some of the Indian tribes had previously been part of the Persian Empire. The political situation in Greece was quiet.[5]
Alexander had defeated
Now if anyone desires to hear where our warfare will find its end and limit, let him know that the distance from where we are to the river Ganges is no longer great; and this you will find is connected to the Hyrcanian sea; for the great sea surrounds the entire earth. I will also demonstrate to the Macedonians and their allies not only that the Indian gulf is confluent with the Persian, but the Hycranian gulf is confluent with the Indian.
At the Beas River, his army mutinied. They did not share his ambition and wished to return home. It had been raining for the last seventy days.[8] At the Battle of Hydaspes they had suffered many casualties. The Nanda Empire was rumoured to be even more powerful than Porus, who was only a princeling. Coenus' spoke on behalf of the troops and pleaded with Alexander to allow them to return, to the agreement of the other officers. Alexander finally gave in.[9]
Shortly after this, Memnon brought up reinforcements of 6,000 cavalry from Thrace, and 7,000 infantry.[7] The reinforcements brought with them twenty five thousand suits of armour.[7] After uniting with Memnon's forces, Alexander decided to head south, following the river Hydaspes, after the omens ostensibly declared it unfavourable to march further east. Initially, the fleet and army just sailed down the river, occasionally marching short distances inland.[10] Only slight opposition was experienced.[10]
Alexander received news that the Mallians and the Oxydracians had decided to trade hostages with each other, and moved all their valuables into their fortified cities.
It was Alexander's habit, as with his father, to campaign in all seasons of the year.[13] In Greece, this meant the winter, but in India, it meant the rainy season or cold season. The Mallian alliance was unaware of this practice, and therefore might have expected more time to prepare for Alexander's advance. Throughout his career, Alexander made many celebrated marches in spite of difficult conditions. After the Battle of Gaugamela Alexander and his forces are alleged to have reached the Great Zab, 34 miles (55 km) from the battlefield, only one day later.[13]
Phases
First
Upon receiving the news of the alliance in November, Alexander raced out to prevent the junction of the two tribes. He reached the area in five days by sailing down the Hydaspes with the fleet he had recently built.
However, the Macedonians got through.[15] Arriving in the confederacies' territory, they set about the task of pacification. While their ships were undergoing repairs, the Macedonians first attacked a tribe to the west called the Sibea.[15] This tribe, alleged to have 40,000 warriors, was on the right bank, and thus the Macedonians had to cross the river in order to attack them.[15][16] The Macedonians destroyed their capital city and burned their crops, slew all the males, and enslaved the women and children.[15][16] Previously, Alexander had been scrupulous about being merciful towards the inhabitants of his newly conquered territories. This marked change in policy was intended as an example to the other tribes. It was done, allegedly, to secure the Macedonians' line of communications, which, being already over-extended, were at a serious risk of being cut.[citation needed] They extended all the way from Babylon to the Punjab, if they were cut anywhere the entire expedition could have been compromised. No half measures were taken in securing the lines of communications in their extended condition.
Alexander was determined not to let the Mallians escape him, and therefore he planned a sophisticated campaign that allowed him to retain the interior lines, so that he could reinforce himself at any threatened point.[17]
He added Philip's corps,
Alexander divided his army into three parts and crossed over onto the left bank.
Second
At this point, the tentative alliance between the Mallians and the Oxydracians began to break down.[17] The two tribes could not agree on who was to lead them,[17] and their forces retreated to their strongholds, each group to fend for themselves.[17]
After starting across the desert, Alexander marched continuously, with only a single half-day halt at a place where water could be obtained.[17] His detachment of the army marched 45 miles (72 km) in about 24 hours.[19][20] Arriving near the city of Kot Kamalia at daybreak,[20] Alexander rode ahead with his Companion cavalry and totally surprised the Mallians — so much so that many of them were still outside the city. As Alexander had expected, they did not think he would cross the desert.[21] A vast number of them were slain,[21][22] and Alexander chased those whom he could not massacre into the city.[22] He then created a cordon of cavalry around this relatively small town, and awaited the arrival of his infantry.[21][22]
When the infantry arrived, Alexander detached
Alexander allowed his men to rest until the first watch of the night.[26] After this, the Macedonians continued to pursue the Mallians, the next town being the modern Brahmin town of Atari. Upon arriving, Alexander immediately sent his phalanx forward and prepared to undermine the city walls. However, the Indians, who were by now familiar with Alexander's expertise in besieging, decided they could hold out better in the citadel.[13] The Macedonians followed. Alexander led a siege of the citadel, bringing his phalanx up towards the walls.[26] The citadel was burnt, and five thousand Mallians died within its walls.[27][28]
After taking a single day's rest,[28] Alexander headed for the city of Mallians (this city has been identified as present-day Multan, although this identification is not certain).[29] However, the Mallians had crossed the river already,[clarification needed] and were awaiting his arrival on the western bank.[citation needed]
Final
Before continuing his campaign against the Mallians, Alexander sent Peithon and Demetrius back towards the river, the forests, and the desert.[28][30] Their orders were to kill anyone who did not submit.[28] The reason was that so many of the cities were deserted when Alexander's forces reached them.[28] Refugees from these cities had been taken prisoner in the forests in the area alongside the Hydraotis.[30][clarification needed]
The Malli offered battle to Alexander on the high ground of the western bank of the Hydraotis.[30] However, Alexander and his army had become such an object of fear in their eyes that he decided to charge them across the river.[citation needed] This was not a new tactic, as his father Phillip II had perfected the cavalry arm of Macedon to such an extent that the infantry, on many occasions, would only attack after the cavalry.[13][page needed] The Mallians fled without the Macedonian infantry even joining battle. Alexander pursued them with his cavalry for 5 miles (8.0 km).[31]
The Mallians, realising how small the number of Macedonian cavalry was, chose to stop and fight them. Arrian estimated that there were fifty thousand Mallians at this point.[citation needed] As expert as the Companion cavalry was, Alexander had placed himself in a vulnerable situation. However, the Macedonians formed up and circled around the Mallians, attacking them in the flank and rear.[31] Eventually, the Macedonian light infantry came up, and the Mallians lost heart and fled to the city of Mallians.[32][33] Alexander followed them to the city, and then rested his columns for the rest of the day.[32][33]
Siege of the citadel
Alexander arranged two separate forces, one to be led by himself and the other by Perdiccas. The Indians almost immediately retreated into the main citadel. The citadel was substantial, with its walls a mile around.[33] But Alexander was able to force one of the gates, and made his way into the outer parts of the citadel.[33] There the Macedonians began to undermine the next layer of walls.[citation needed]
Alexander quickly became impatient at the pace of the siege, so he grabbed a ladder and went up it himself.[33] He was followed by only two soldiers. The rest of the soldiers, nervous about the safety of their king, crowded the ladders to get up so that they could protect him. There were too many of them, and the ladders collapsed under the weight. The Mallians realised who Alexander was, and focused their energies on him. Many of Alexander's men held out their arms and called for him to jump down to them.[34] The King, however, would not.
Alexander leaped into the inner area of the citadel,[35] where he killed the Mallians' leader.[36] However, during the fighting an arrow penetrated Alexander's lung, severely wounding him.[37] The Macedonians believed Alexander to be dead. After gaining entrance to the city, they planned to kill everyone in revenge.[citation needed]
Result
When the Macedonians reached Alexander, some of them placed him on a shield and quickly ran back with him to a tent.[38] An incision had to be made in order to get the arrow out, however everyone was afraid to make the incision themselves. Perdiccas came forward and volunteered to make the incision. An incision was made and the arrow head was withdrawn from the wound. The soldiers were very anxious about his health, since they believed he was the only one who could lead them back home.[39][page needed] For some days he hovered between life and death.
The main body of the army, four days away from Alexander's location, heard that he was dead.[38] Rumours spread like wildfire, and when reports came in that he was alive and was recovering, they would not believe it.[40] He was eventually placed upon a boat where he could see the troops, and the troops could see him.[39][page needed] However, his health was in such a delicate state that during his course down the river they would not even row the boat, for fear that the oars slapping the water would disturb him.[41][clarification needed]
Four days afterwards, the Macedonians reached a fertile country which the natives had completely deserted.[12] Alexander was confronted by some of his close companions. They told him that he should not expose himself so recklessly in battle.[41] Alexander received the final submission of the Malli, who had submitted after the capture of their capital city. He sent their ambassadors away, and they returned later with 300 four horse chariots. In addition to this, Alexander also received 1,000 Indian shields, a number of lions and 100 talents.[42]
References
- ^ a b Ian Worthington 2014, p. 219.
- ^ a b Peter Green 2013, p. 418.
- ^ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 605.
- ^ Benjamin Wheeler 1900.
- ^ Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 447.
- ^ a b c d Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 448.
- ^ a b c Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 321.
- ^ a b Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 451.
- ^ Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 454.
- ^ a b Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 456.
- ^ a b c d Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 592.
- ^ a b c Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 327.
- ^ a b c d Hans Delbruck 1990.
- ^ Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 593.
- ^ a b Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 326.
- ^ a b c d e Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 595.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 594.
- ^ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 596.
- ^ a b Arrian 1893, p. 301.
- ^ a b c d Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 597.
- ^ a b c d e Arrian 1893, p. 302.
- ^ a b Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 598.
- ^ Ian Worthington 2008, p. 27.
- ^ Ian Worthington 2008, p. 28.
- ^ a b Arrian 1893, p. 303.
- ^ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 600.
- ^ a b c d e Arrian 1893, p. 304.
- ^ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 606.
- ^ a b c Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 601.
- ^ a b Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 602.
- ^ a b Arrian 1893, p. 305.
- ^ a b c d e Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 603.
- ^ Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 458.
- ^ Dave, Wood. "In the footsteps of Alexander the Great". The City of Multan. BBC. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ^ Arrian 1893, p. 604.
- ^ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 604.
- ^ a b Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 459.
- ^ a b Arrian 1893.
- ^ Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 460.
- ^ a b Benjamin Wheeler 1900, p. 461.
- ^ Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 350.
Bibliography
- OCLC 486120.
- Benjamin Wheeler (1900). Alexander the Great. New York: G.B. Putnam & Sons. OCLC 458978001.
- Hans Delbruck (1990). The History of the Art of War. Vol. One. Lincoln: University of Nebraska. ISBN 0-8032-6584-0.
- Ian Worthington (2014). Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-86645-9.
- Ian Worthington (2008). Phillip II of Macedonia. New Haven: University of Yale. pp. 22–37. ISBN 978-0-300-12079-0.
- Peter Green (2013). Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C.: A Historical Biography. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-95469-4.
- Quintus Curtius Rufus (1809). The History of the Life and Reign of Alexander the Great. London: S. Bagster. OCLC 457392990.
- Siculus Diodorus (1963). The Library of History (Volume VIII of the Loeb Classical Library ed.). Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- Theodore Dodge (1890). Alexander. New York: Da Capo Press. pp. 592–608.
External links
- Benjamin Wheeler (1900) Alexander the Great at the Internet Archive
- Livius Archived 2016-09-09 at the Wayback Machine
- Plutarch
- The Invasion of India by Alexander the Great as described by Arrian, Q. Curtius, Diodoros, Plutarch and Justin (1896), at Internet Archive
- The Early History of India from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan conquest, including the invasion of Alexander the Great (1914), by Vincent Arthur Smith, at Internet Archive