Porus

King of the Paurava kingdom between the Hydaspes (Jhelum) and the Acesines (Chenab), the principal Indian opponent of Alexander's 326 BC campaign. Tall enough that Arrian 5.19 calls him 'more than five cubits in height' (~2.25 m, a figure plainly legendary); commanded 200 war-elephants in the classical Indian battle-formation of elephants in front of infantry, chariots on the wings. After the battle, when Alexander asked him how he wished to be treated, Porus answered 'like a king' (Arr. *Anab.* 5.19.2 — βασιλικῶς) — and was reinstated as satrap of his own and adjoining territories, the classical founding example of Alexander's post-conquest policy of ruling through the local elite.

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