Mallian people (Ancient Greek: Μάλλοι) were a tribe from southern Punjab, with capital in today's Multan city, south of the confluence of the Jhelum (Hydaspes) and Ravi, (Hydraotes) rivers, who confronted Alexander the Great during his Mallian campaign in 326 BCE. They are mentioned by ancient Greek historians during the campaign of Alexander.[1][2]
Mallian campaign
After the mutiny of his army at river Beas, Alexander moved southward. Hearing this news, Mallians started making preparations for war. According to Greek reports they had gathered a total of 90,000 foot, 10,000 horse and 900 chariots.[3][4] However, Alexander advanced quickly then expectations of the Mallians and reached before they could flee. Many of them were massacred and rest fled to the Mallian capital, Multan.[5]
Siege of Multan
Alexander besieged the city after arriving there some days later. When it prolonged, he leaped into the city before the Greek army could through ladders and even succeeded in killing the Mallian leader,[6] however, he became injured by an arrow which struck him in the lungs. When Greeks became aware of it, they became furious thinking that Alexander had been killed, and started killing every Mallian in the city.[7]
Aftermath
Alexander received the final submission of the Malli, who had submitted after the capture of their capital city. He sent their ambassadors away, and they returned later with 300 four horse chariots. In addition to this, Alexander also received 1,000 Indian shields, a number of lions and 100 talents.[8]
It is unclear what happened to the Mallian tribe after the campaign of Alexander. It is thought that they migrated to present-day Rajasthan, possibly as a result of the Indo-Greek occupation of Punjab, where they were known as Malavas.[9]
References
- ↑ Ian Worthington 2014, p. 219.
- ↑ Peter Green 2013, p. 418.
- ↑ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 592.
- ↑ Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 327.
- ↑ Theodore Dodge 1890, p. 597.
- ↑ Dave, Wood. "In the footsteps of Alexander the Great". The City of Multan. BBC. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
- ↑ Tripathi, Rama Shankar (1967). History of Ancient India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. ISBN 9788120800182.
- ↑ Quintus Curtius Rufus 1809, p. 350.
- ↑ D. C. Sircar 1971, p. 205.
Bibliography
- Ian Worthington (2014). Alexander the Great: Man and God. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-86645-9.
- Peter Green (2013). Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C.: A Historical Biography. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-95469-4.
- Theodore Dodge (1890). Alexander. New York: Da Capo Press. pp. 592–608.
- Quintus Curtius Rufus (1809). The History of the Life and Reign of Alexander the Great. London: S. Bagster. OCLC 457392990.
- D. C. Sircar (1971). Studies in the Geography of Ancient and Medieval India. Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-0690-0.