Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/42

 18 ACCOUNT OF INDIA BY STRABO Next to the Kophes was the Indus, then the Hy- daspes (Jihlam), the Akesines (Chinab), the Hyarotis (Ravi), and lastly, the Hypanis (Bias). He was pre- vented from proceeding farther, partly because of some oracles, and partly because compelled by his army, which was exhausted by toil and fatigue, but whose principal distress arose from their constant exposure to rain. Hence we became acquainted with the eastern parts of India on this side of the Hypanis, and whatever parts besides which have been described by those who, after Alexander, advanced beyond the Hypanis to the Ganges and Palibothra (Pataliputra, Patna). After the river Kophes, follows the Indus. The country lying between these two rivers is occupied by Astakenoi, Masianoi, Nysaioi, and Hypasioi. 1 Next is the territory of Assakanos, where is the city Masoga (Massaga?), the royal residence of the country. Near the Indus is another city, Peukolai'tis. At this place a bridge, which was constructed, afforded a passage for the army. Between the Indus and the Hydaspes is Taxila, a large city, and governed by good laws. The neigh- bouring country is crowded with inhabitants and very fertile, and here unites with the plains. The people and their king Taxiles received Alexander with kind- ness, and obtained in return more presents than they had offered to Alexander; so that the Macedonians 1 The modern names of most of these places will be found in the descrip- tion given of Alexander's Indian campaign in the third and fourth chapters of the second volume of this series.