Alexander : a history of the origin and growth of the art of war from ...

PORUS AND TAXILES. 567thereupon sent a proclamation throughout the country that hewould kill all the inhabitants unless they brought the horseback to him. As a result of this proclamation it was immediatelybrought back. So great was Alexander's attachmentto the horse and so great was the fear of Alexander entertainedby the barbarians. Let so much honor be paid by meto this Bucephalus for the sake of his master." In this wishall good friends of the noblest of animals will join.Alexander's mixture of the generous and the firm in hispolicy with the Indians was admirable. He had gained adistmct but not a fundamental control of this part of Indiawhich abutted on his Persian possessions. He had seenenough of the country to understand that he could not conquerthis people out of hand. Nor had he any intention ofso doing. He had control of all the territory from the Hellespontto the Indus, and could pretend to mould this into hislong dreamed Graeco-Persian empire. But with India it wasdifferent. All he could pretend to do here was to make adherentsand allies of the princes ; not to conquer the peoples,but to control their rulers, and his acts to this end were wellgauged.Porus had in earlier days endeavored to extend his rule tothe whole country between the Indus and the Hydaspes andhad nearly succeeded, when the king of Taxila, fearful for thebalance of power, had sought to put a limit to his advances,and the two had become active enemies. Alexander did notwish to depend on one prince alone. It was better that thepower of the Five llivers should lie between at least two ; andhe was wise enough to make these two princes equal in powerand expert enough to reconcile them. He increased the territoryand power of each, by merging the smaller principalitiesinto theirs, and made each one content with what he held. Inthis manner Alexander maintained a marked control of tliiscountry.