But when Alexander approached the city which the country of Sambas held as its metropolis, the name of which was Sindimana, the gates were thrown open to him at his approach, and the relations of Sambus reckoned up his money and went out to meet him, taking with them the elephants also. They assured him that Sambus had fled, not from any hostile feeling towards Alexander, but fearing on account of the pardon of Musicanus.[1] He also captured another city which had revolted at this time, and slew as many of the Brachmans[2] as had been instigators of this revolt. These men are the philosophers of the Indians, of whose philosophy, if such it may be called, I shall give an account in my book descriptive of India.[3]
CHAPTER XVII.
Musicanus Executed.—Capture of Patala.
Meantime he was informed that Musicanus had revolted. He despatched the viceroy, Peithon, son of Agenor, with a sufficient army against him, while he himself marched against the cities which had been put under the rule of Musicanus. Some of these he razed to the ground, reducing the inhabitants to slavery; and into others he introduced garrisons and fortified the citadels. After accomplishing this, he returned to the camp and fleet. By this time Musicanus had been captured by Peithon, who was bringing him to Alexander. The king ordered him to be hanged in his own country, and with him as many of the Brachmans as had instigated him to the revolt. Then came to him the ruler of the land of the Patalians,[4]
- ↑ Diodorus (xvii. 102) says that Sambas escaped beyond the Indus with thirty elephants.
- ↑ See note, page 327 supra.
- ↑ The Indica, a valuable work still existing. See chapters x. and xi. of that book.
- ↑ These people inhabited the Delta of the Indus, which is now called Lower Scinde. Their capital, Fatala, is the modern Tatta.