24 Nov, 2024
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Though Alexander successfully entered India and defeated King Porus at the Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE), his troops mutinied at the prospect of facing the Nanda Empire. He retreated and could not proceed further into the Indian heartland.
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The Mongol ruler, known for his expansive empire, refrained from attacking India despite reaching its doorstep. The rugged terrain and the strong defenses of the Delhi Sultanate under Iltutmish dissuaded him from launching a full-scale invasion.
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Napoleon considered an invasion of India via Persia to challenge British supremacy. However, logistical challenges, his defeat in Europe, and shifting priorities during the Napoleonic Wars prevented this plan from materializing.
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While Timur invaded India in 1398, his descendants focused on Central Asia and Persia rather than attempting further expeditions into India. They faced internal conflicts and rivalries, which restricted their focus.
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Darius III, the last Achaemenid ruler, ruled over a vast Persian Empire but never attempted to expand further into India. His empire was already weakened and later fell to Alexander the Great.
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Despite its strong naval presence in the Indian Ocean and its desire to counter Portuguese influence, the Ottomans never directly attacked India. Their focus remained on West Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean.
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While the Romans traded extensively with ancient India via the Red Sea, they never attempted military expeditions into the subcontinent. The distance, logistical difficulties, and the lack of immediate economic gain likely deterred them.
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During World War II, Japan allied with Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (INA) and reached Indian territories like Manipur and Nagaland. However, Japan never launched a full-scale invasion due to Allied resistance and its defeat in the Pacific.
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Louis XIV aimed to expand French influence globally. Although France had a foothold in India (Pondicherry and Chandannagar), he never mounted a military campaign to take over India, focusing instead on European conflicts.
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At its height, Spain had a powerful navy and extensive colonies in the Americas, but it did not direct military campaigns towards India. Its focus remained on trade via Portuguese routes rather than conquest in the Indian subcontinent.
Credit: Wikipedia