MAKER'S MARK INDISTINCT, GENEVA OR HANAU, CIRCA 1810, STRUCK WITH A ST PETERSBURG IMPORT MARK FOR GOLD

The Battle of the Hydaspes was fought in 326 BC between Alexander the Great and King Porus of the Paurava kingdom on the banks of the Jhelum River, known to the Greeks as Hydaspes, in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, now modern day Pakistan. The battle resulted in a Greek victory and the surrender of Porus. Large areas of the Punjab between the Jhelum and Beas rivers were absorbed into the Alexandrian Empire, with Porus being reinstated as a subordinate ruler. Alexander's decision to cross the monsoon-swollen river despite close Indian surveillance, in order to catch Porus's army in the flank, has been referred to as one of his masterpieces. Although victorious, it was also the most costly battle fought by the Macedonians.The fierce resistance put up by King Porus and his men won the respect of Alexander.The battle is historically significant for opening up the Indian subcontinent to Ancient Greek political and cultural influences, which continued to have an impact for many centuries.