War elephant
Videos
A war elephant is an elephant that is trained and guided by humans for combat purposes. Historically, the war elephant's main use was to charge the enemy, break their ranks, and instill terror and fea
War elephants depicted in Hannibal crossing the Rhône (1878), by Henri Motte
Rajput painting depicting a war elephant in an army
Conjectural reconstruction of the main gate of Kusinagara used by war elephants c. 500 BC adapted from a relief at Sanchi.
War elephants in battle during the Carnatic Wars
Battle of the Hydaspes
Videos
The Battle of the Hydaspes also known as Battle of Jhelum, or First Battle of Jhelum, was fought between the Macedonian Empire under Alexander the Great and the Pauravas under Porus in May of 326 BC.
War elephant
…it came to defeating Porus, who ruled in what is now Punjab region, Alexander found himself facing a force of between 85 and 100 war elephants at the Battle of the Hydaspes. Preferring stealth and mobility to sheer force, Alexander manoeuvered and engaged with just his infantry and cavalry, ultimately defeating Porus…
Alexander the Great and Porus by Francesco Fontebasso
Porus awaits the attack of Alexander July 326 BC.
An imagined Indian war elephant against Alexander's army, by Johannes van den Avele
A painting by Charles Le Brun depicting Alexander and Porus during the Battle of the Hydaspes.