The river of India which was not crossed by Alexander and his army was:

The correct answer is Hyphasis.

Key Points

• The Hyphasis River is now identified as the modern Beas River, located in present-day Punjab, India.
• Alexander the Great and his army halted their eastward expansion at the Hyphasis River in 326 BCE due to strong resistance from his soldiers, who were weary after years of campaigning.
• The mutiny of Alexander's army at the Hyphasis marked the easternmost point of his conquests, as the soldiers refused to advance further into the Indian subcontinent.
• The decision to turn back was influenced by the harsh monsoon climate, fear of facing larger Indian armies, and the immense distance from their homeland in Macedonia.
• Alexander had already crossed the Hydaspes River (modern-day Jhelum) earlier, where he fought the famous Battle of Hydaspes against King Porus.

Additional Information

• Alexander’s Indian Campaign:
  • Alexander invaded the Indian subcontinent in 327 BCE, crossing the Hindu Kush and advancing into the Indus Valley.
  • He faced formidable resistance from Indian rulers, including King Porus of the Paurava Kingdom, whom he defeated at the Battle of Hydaspes.
• Battle of Hydaspes:
  • This battle was fought in 326 BCE near the Hydaspes River (modern Jhelum) and is considered one of Alexander’s most significant military victories.
  • Despite his defeat, King Porus impressed Alexander with his bravery and was reinstated as a vassal ruler.
• Reasons for the Halt at Hyphasis:
  • Alexander’s army was exhausted after nearly a decade of continuous campaigning, beginning in Greece and extending to the Indian subcontinent.
  • The soldiers were demoralized by the prospect of facing the powerful Nanda Empire and the challenging geographical and climatic conditions in the Gangetic plains.
• Post-Campaign Developments:
  • After halting at the Hyphasis, Alexander returned westward, founding cities and consolidating his conquests along the way.
  • He died in 323 BCE in Babylon, marking the end of his short-lived empire.
• Geographical Context:
  • The Hydaspes River corresponds to the modern Jhelum River, while the Hyphasis corresponds to the modern Beas River.
  • The rivers of the Punjab region played a crucial role in shaping the strategies and outcomes of Alexander’s Indian campaign.