Read on Twitter
Lesser Known Fact:
During Alexander’s campaign in the Indus Region, the Macedonians faced a number of tribes along the length of the region, all of which fought the Greeks till death.
Thread on the Ancient tribes of Modern Day Pakistan in the era of Alexander 1/n
During Alexander’s campaign in the Indus Region, the Macedonians faced a number of tribes along the length of the region, all of which fought the Greeks till death.
Thread on the Ancient tribes of Modern Day Pakistan in the era of Alexander 1/n
Assakenians.
They were the first tribe to fight against Alexander. They inhabited the regions of Kunar, Dir and possibly Chitral. They were called as the ‘toughest warriors of the region’ by Alexander. Their great battle was either fought at Bajaur or at Chitral.
They were the first tribe to fight against Alexander. They inhabited the regions of Kunar, Dir and possibly Chitral. They were called as the ‘toughest warriors of the region’ by Alexander. Their great battle was either fought at Bajaur or at Chitral.
Aspacians:
These were another tribe inhabiting the region of Swat. They fought against Alexander at their 3 principal cities of Massaga, Bazira and Ora, all of which exist in Pakistan.
Their river Suwastu gave its name to the modern day region known as Swat.
These were another tribe inhabiting the region of Swat. They fought against Alexander at their 3 principal cities of Massaga, Bazira and Ora, all of which exist in Pakistan.
Their river Suwastu gave its name to the modern day region known as Swat.
Guraeans:
The Guraeans were another tribe existing between the Assakenians and the Aspacians. They impressed Alexander by their wine. They lived along the Gureos river.
Today, between Chitral and Swat lies the Garwi people of the Garwi river.
The Guraeans were another tribe existing between the Assakenians and the Aspacians. They impressed Alexander by their wine. They lived along the Gureos river.
Today, between Chitral and Swat lies the Garwi people of the Garwi river.
Tribe of Abisares in Hazara:
The region of Hazara was ruled by a King known as Abisares and his mountain tribe. They fought against Alexander at the Rock of Aornos but were defeated. The king fled south, to join Porus, for the great battle fought later in Punjab.
The region of Hazara was ruled by a King known as Abisares and his mountain tribe. They fought against Alexander at the Rock of Aornos but were defeated. The king fled south, to join Porus, for the great battle fought later in Punjab.
Taxilla under Taxilles:
The region of Taxilla was ruled by a King known as Taxilles to the Greeks. He complied with Alexander before his march and was his ally throughout the campaign in this Indus.
The region of Taxilla was ruled by a King known as Taxilles to the Greeks. He complied with Alexander before his march and was his ally throughout the campaign in this Indus.
The 8 Great Ashta tribes of Peshawar:
Central Gandhara (Peshawar valley) was ruled by 8 tribes under their king Astes. Astes fought against Alexander’s generals from his capital in Pushkalavati (Modern Day Charsadda), he was eventually defeated and his brother was installed.
Central Gandhara (Peshawar valley) was ruled by 8 tribes under their king Astes. Astes fought against Alexander’s generals from his capital in Pushkalavati (Modern Day Charsadda), he was eventually defeated and his brother was installed.
It must be noted that their land was known as ‘Ashtaka - Nagar’ (8-Towns). This name was later on translated to Hashta Nagar and Hashtnagar.
One of the biggest markets of old Peshawar is still called Hashtnagari, named after the land of the 8 tribes.
One of the biggest markets of old Peshawar is still called Hashtnagari, named after the land of the 8 tribes.
Kathiois near Ravi:
The region of Ravi was inhabited by a tribe named Kahtiois. The Kathiois were swiftly attacked by Alexander and defeated.
They later on migrated to Kathiawad and 2300 years later a baby was born to a Kathiawadi family who wasnamed Jinnah.
The region of Ravi was inhabited by a tribe named Kahtiois. The Kathiois were swiftly attacked by Alexander and defeated.
They later on migrated to Kathiawad and 2300 years later a baby was born to a Kathiawadi family who wasnamed Jinnah.
The Kathiois were a strong tribe of warriors but were sadly isolated from other tribes in the region. They subsequently fought against Alexander in the town of Sagala, modern day Sialkot.
There was another nearby tribe ruled by a man known to the Greeks as ‘Sophyttes’. Not much is known of this tribe, except that they had ‘Spartan like’ warrior qualities.
Porus near the Jehlum:
Porus was the ruler of the tribes between the Jehlum and Chenab. Remembered as a true warrior, his army fought against the Greek till the last drop of blood had not escaped their bodies. He employed elephants against the Greeks and other -
Porus was the ruler of the tribes between the Jehlum and Chenab. Remembered as a true warrior, his army fought against the Greek till the last drop of blood had not escaped their bodies. He employed elephants against the Greeks and other -
South Asian military tactics, but they were no match of the Macedonian Phalanx.
He was allowed to live after his defeat and was gifted a large tract of land, however some debate that Porus actually won the battle and that it was Alexander who was defeated.
He was allowed to live after his defeat and was gifted a large tract of land, however some debate that Porus actually won the battle and that it was Alexander who was defeated.
Oxydrakai in central Punjab:
The Oxydrakai or the Shudrakas were a non Aryan desert tribe. They too were remember as a fierce group of men with an overwhelming number. They formed a late confederation with the Malloi tribes of Multan.
The Oxydrakai or the Shudrakas were a non Aryan desert tribe. They too were remember as a fierce group of men with an overwhelming number. They formed a late confederation with the Malloi tribes of Multan.
Malloi tribe of Multan:
One of the most fearsome tribes of the Indus, this tribe came close to killing Alexander and severely wounded him. Alexander failed to conquer their citadel.
This citadel is where the tomb of Shah Rukane Alam is located.
One of the most fearsome tribes of the Indus, this tribe came close to killing Alexander and severely wounded him. Alexander failed to conquer their citadel.
This citadel is where the tomb of Shah Rukane Alam is located.
Musicani of Sindh:
Northern Sindh was inhabited by another warrior tribe known as the Musicanus. They surrendered with some fighting but later revolted against the Greeks in alor, harassing them on their departure.
Northern Sindh was inhabited by another warrior tribe known as the Musicanus. They surrendered with some fighting but later revolted against the Greeks in alor, harassing them on their departure.
