The First Porus (By Sumith Kumar Puri - The King)
  
King Porus belongs to the Puruvanshi clan of Hinduism. He is often called as the patronymic of the Lunar race of Hinduism. Bharatvansh is the clan of Hinduism from which my motherland gets its real name, Bharat. Emperor Bharata belonged to Bharatvansh. As per all available information at this point in time, Bharatvansh is always seen as a branch of the Puruvansh, which later merged back. Hence, King Porus and Emperor Bharata belong to the same clan of Hinduism in every way.

Many clans and tribes in whole of India trace their origin only from King Porus and thereby Puruvansh, directly or indirectly. Yadavs, Rajputs, Shoorsainis, Khukrains, Jats, Janjuas, Vaids, Mohyals and many more claim Porus to be their own. In a way, Bharatvansh and Puruvansh lineage claims of Hinduism forms a fair percentage of population of India.

Alexander the Great is accepted to be the first and the greatest world ruler. He was on his undefeated march from Greece, conquering all lands, until he came to the doorstep of India. Considering the battle readiness and the huge size of his consolidated army, he would have easily continued on this conquest. It would only have been a matter of time to conquer whole of the sub continent and other neighbouring lands. Some of the Indian Kings submitted to his superiority and supremacy; by surrendering without a fight and allying with him. This included Raja Ambhi of Taxila and Abisares of Hazara, who were the first to side with Alexander and thereby making him stronger. These two kings also provided him military and strategical support for what would be the greatest battle in the life of Alexander and also Porus and arguably, in the world. This was the Battle of Hydaspes, which happened near the Banks of the Jhelum, in 326 BC.

It is known that before this battle, Alexander had never lost a battle or ceded territory. Also, he was only about thirty-five years of age at the  time of this battle. The combined forces of Macdeonia, Greece, Persia, (Defective) India and many more Smaller Armies that were part of Alexander's huge army were for the first time fighting against forces of India, the Puruvanshi army of Hindu King Porus. It is said that the Indian Army comprised not only of Infantry, Cavalry, Archers but also a large number of Elephant Mounted Soldiers. The armory and shields  bore the engraving or symbol of Herakles (Lord Krishna). Though this would have been a normal sight for a seasoned warrior like Alexander, but the tide turned in favor of Porus primarily due to the Battle Terrain and the Heavy Cavalry (Elephant Mounted). It is known that by siding with local rulers and the successful phalanx strategy, he put up a brave effort against the fierce warrior Porus. On the battlefield, King Porus challenged Alexander the Great for a man to man fight - to which he responded in the affirmative. It is said that King Porus attacked with a spear from an elephant top and killed the horse of Alexander with a single blow. This was the favorite horse of Alexander, Bucephalus. Once fallen, Alexander lay on the battlefield and then surrendered to King Porus. Though not documented accurately, this would have been the end of the battle on the field. Also, this would have marked the end of Alexander's advance into Asia, India and any further lands.

Importance of Raksha Bandhan in the Battle
Raksha Bandhan, a hindu festival that establishes and strengthens the bond of trust between a brother and sister - was the savior for Alexander on the field. It is widely believed that Roxana of Persia, one of the wives of Alexander,  knew of the tradition of Rakhi in India. Before the battle began between Alexander and Porus, Alexander's wife sent a sacred thread (or arranged for an audience to tie the rakhi) to Porus, requesting him not to harm her husband in battle. Porus honoured the rakhi as per the hindu tradition. Later on, during the war when Porus was about to knock out Alexander, he saw the rakhi on his wrist and controlled himself to not kill him with his own hands. Alexander's life was saved, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the Brother - Sister relationship betweeen the Indian King and the Persian Queen.

The aftermath, as in any battle, is left to common sense and imagination. Alexander would have been made a prisoner and brought to Porus. It is also said that Porus was a giant by himself, standing almost seven and half feet tall in front of the average five feet Alexander. In the aftermath of the battle, it is documented that Porus released Alexander. Alexander and his beleaguered troops marched back to Greece, where finally Alexander died in 323 BC. One of the turning points of ancient history of the world is this battle, as the outcome had saved India, Central Asia, Eastern Asia and  the Subcontinent from an otherwise unstoppable Alexander. Although more than a thousand years later, a different Alexander of the East, Genghis Khan would succeed in a far greater conquest of the world.

Though not clearly documented anywhere, it is known that Porus' territory expanded - with Alexander ceding some territory of his own. Most probably, the territory of Ambhi and Abisares would have been added, with both being made satraps. The territorial expansion was definitely further east of his kingdom, but possibly to the west as well.  King Porus emerged to be the real hero for the Lunar race and this feat is remembered by almost every race that is India. The preserved documentation  states that following this battle, King Porus who was also known as Purushottama, Parvateshwar, Parvataka, Por, Paurava, Puru; gained territory ceded by Alexander. At his peak, he would have ruled over a kingdom that is between the banks of Jhelum and Purushapura (now Peshawar), with some extension eastwards and westwards.

The next generation of Hindu Kings of India, bore the same royal warrior blood and mark of greatness resembling Porus. This also includes the most revered and the greatest emperor of Bharatvarsha, Bharat Chakravartin Ashoka Maurya. We, the current era and generation of people of India, regard him as the only true and first Hindu king of the whole of Bharat (India), geographically and culturally.

I am proud to say that I belong to the lineage of the true Porus. Porus, who would have otherwise remained a very insignificant name in the history of India, Pakistan or otherwise the undivided Bharatvarsha - has been primarily popularized by this truth that has been passed on via generations. The most important fact being that he had annihilated Alexander the Great at the Battle of Hydaspes. Though distorted and misrepresented by historians, the truth has been preserved and passed on to me. I strive to safeguard and protect the same truth and pass it on, as it was passed on to me, for generations to come in Independent India and thereby the World.

This is, but the third generation of Porus just after the Independence of India. So, as Sumith Kumar Puri, What passion does it evoke in me? The Passion for My Country is multiplied, The Passion to Change the World, The Passion to Win and The Passion that anything can be Achieved if done with a Strong Will and Oneness of Mind. Most Importantly, at least for me, It brings forward a Set of Values and Legacy to Uphold, Create and Establish.