6_Glorious_Epochs_of_Indian_History

26 SIX GLORIOUS EPOCHS OF INDIAN HISTORY
ALEXANDER ROLLED INTO A POOL OF BLOOD
56. The shaft of the Indian warrior unmistakably pierced
the heart of Alexander, and suddenly the emperor rolled
down unconscious**. A Greek soldier immediately covered
him with his shield. There was a sudden hue and cry in the
Greek ranks that Alexander had been wounded, that he had
fallen unconscious. With exceptional daring the Greeks lifted
him from the pool of blood and carried him safely to his
camp. There with great difficulty that terrible shaft of the
Indian warrior was extricated. The Greeks heaved a sigh ot
relief when after a long time of patient nursing, Alexander
gradually regained consciousness. It took several days for
the wound to heal up. During all this time Alexander was
confined to bed.
57. But everywhere, in Babylon and Greece, the news
that was received reported that Alexander was killed in the
war by an Indian arrow*'. Consequently there were some
uprisings in Gandhar and Persia. But later on when it was
known that Alexander was only severely wounded and was
now recovering, the situation came to normalcy.
58. No wonder whatsoever, if the news of Alexander's
having fainted by a bow-shot was greeted cheerfully through­
out the Malava-Shudrak republic. Alexander was so much
puffed up with pride when King Pourav (Poros) was wounded
in the battle, thao he circulated a new coin with a picture
showing his fall stamped on it. The coin is still to be seen
as a mark of his vanity*'". That insult inflicted on India
was fully avenged by the Indian arrow which sent the Greek
emperor rolling down on the battlefield in pools of blood.
The Ionian Emperor, Alexander, who unjustifiably shed
Indian blood, was made to atone for it personally by the-
shedding of his blood.
59. The Malava-Shudrak republic too should have stam­
ped on some golden coin the picture of Alexander fallen in a
pool of blood with an arrow deeply thrust into his chest..
Possibly they did.