1. Important Dates (Must Remember)
Year Event 336 BC Alexander became king of Macedon 327 BC Invaded India 326 BC Battle with Porus 326 BC Soldiers revolted at Beas River 325 BC Returned from India 323 BC Alexander died at Susa Trick
"36 → 27 → 26 → 25 → 23"
- 336 → Became King
- 327 → Entered India
- 326 → Fought Porus
- 325 → Returned
- 323 → Died
Just remember:
King → India → Porus → Return → Death
2. Alexander Before India
- Father = Philip of Macedon
- Alexander became king in 336 BC.
- During Dhana Nanda's reign, Alexander invaded India.
- Before entering India, Alexander defeated the Persian king Darius III.
Trick
Philip → Alexander → Darius → India
(PADI)
3. Route of Alexander
Route
Macedon → Persia → Khyber Pass → Taxila → Jhelum → Beas → Return
Trick
"My Pretty King Travels Joyfully But Returns"
M → Macedon
P → Persia
K → Khyber
T → Taxila
J → Jhelum
B → Beas
R → Return
4. Indian Kings During Invasion
(A) Ambhi of Taxila
- King of Taxila.
- Accepted Alexander's supremacy.
- Helped Alexander.
Trick
Ambhi = Agree
Ambhi agreed with Alexander.
(B) Porus
- Ruled between Jhelum and Chenab.
- Fought bravely against Alexander.
- Was captured.
- When Alexander asked:
"How should I treat you?"
Porus replied:
"Like a King."
This is one of the most famous lines in Ancient History.
Trick
Remember:
Porus = Pride
or
Porus said: "Like a King"
5. Why Did Alexander Return?
Reasons
- Soldiers were tired.
- Fear of the powerful Nanda Empire.
- Fear of future wars.
- Soldiers refused to cross the Beas River.
Trick
TFFB
- T → Tired
- F → Fear of Nandas
- F → Fear of future
- B → Beas revolt
6. Alexander's Death
- Reached Susa in Persia in 324 BC.
- Died in 323 BC.
- After his death, Greek rule in India collapsed quickly.
Trick
Susa → Sleep Forever
Susa reminds you of his last destination.
7. Impact of Alexander's Invasion
Positive
✔ Opened contacts between India and Greece.
✔ Helped historians reconstruct Indian history.
✔ Greek accounts mention Chandragupta Maurya.
Negative
✔ Massacre of many tribes.
✔ No permanent Greek rule.
✔ Conquered regions became independent soon after his departure.
Super Short Revision (30 Seconds)
Father: Philip
King: 336 BC
India: 327 BC
Battle: Porus (326 BC)
Porus said: "Like a King"
Stopped at: Beas River
Returned: 325 BC
Died: 323 BC at Susa
Ultimate Trick
Philip's son Alexander came to India, fought Porus, stopped at Beas, returned and died at Susa.
This single sentence covers almost the entire chapter.
