When Portugal met Porus: Roman mosaic rekindles Kangra’s legacy

In Dharamsala, a hill town long steeped in history, echoes of one of India’s greatest battles found an unlikely resonance — in a Roman mosaic discovered thousands of miles away in Portugal. At a seminar hosted by Government College, Dharamsala, and the Maharaja Sansar Chandra Museum, scholars traced the fabled Battle of the Hydaspes, where Alexander the Great confronted King Porus, to a mosaic unearthed in Alter do Chão.

Portuguese archaeologist Jorge Antonio and Indian historian Dr Arunansh B Goswami suggested the artwork may well depict Alexander’s campaign in India, transforming the find into a symbolic bridge between continents. For the Katoch dynasty of Kangra, descendants of Porus, the connection carried intimate meaning.

“This mosaic is proof that our history is not just myth. It’s part of global memory,” said Mehran Singh Katoch, a young participant moved by the recognition. His words mirrored the pride of many who see in Porus a figure whose defiance still inspires.

Dr Goswami underscored how Porus and other Indian rulers resisted Alexander with such determination that even the Greeks took notice, not only of their courage but also of Indian philosophy, with some later embracing Hindu and Buddhist thought.

Aishwarya Katoch, scion of the Kangra royal family, reminded the gathering: “This is about reclaiming our narratives. It’s time we tell our stories to the world.”

The seminar, steered by Dr Amit Katoch of Government College, Dharamsala, resonated beyond academic circles. As India and Portugal mark five decades of diplomatic ties, the event became a reminder of history’s enduring threads and of Kangra’s resolve to preserve the legacy of one of the world’s oldest living dynasties.