Book Title: Indian Antiquary Vol 58
Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple, Charles E A W Oldham, S Krishnaswami Aiyangar, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarka
Publisher: Swati Publications
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MAY, 1929)
ALEXANDER'S CAMPAIGN ON THE N-W. FRONTIER
being now all united were thence put again in motion towards the rock itself; but an assault upon it was still impracticable. So came this day to its end.
“Next day at dawn he ordered the soldiers to cut a hundred stakes per man. When the stakes had been cut he began from the top of the height on which they were encamped, to pile up towards the rock a great mound, whence he thought it would be possible for arrows and for missiles shot from engines to reach the defenders. Every one took part in the work, helping to pile up the mound. He himself was present to superintend, commending those that with eagerness advanced the work, and chastising any one that at the moment was idling.
“The army on that first day extended the mound the length of a stadion. On the following day the slingers, by slinging stones at the Indians from the mound just constructed, and the bolts shot from the engines drove back the sallies made by the Indians on those engaged upon the mound. The work of piling it up went on for three days, without intermission. On the fourth day a few Macedonians had forced their way to and secured a small hillock level with the rock. Alexander without ever resting drove the mound forward, intending to join the mound to the hillock which the håndful of men already held for him.
"But the Indians, terror-struck at the unheard-of audacity of the Macedonians who had forced their way to the hillock, and on seeing the mound already connected with it, abstained from further resistance, and sending their herald to Alexander, professed their willingness to surrender the rock if he would treat for peace with them. But the purpose they had in view was to consume the day in spinning out negotiations, and to disperse by night to their several homes. When Alexander perceived this he gave them time to start off as well as to withdraw the round of sentries everywhere. He himself remained quiet until they began their retreat ; and then he took with him seven hundred of the bodyguard and of the hypaspists and was the first to scale the rock where it had been abandoned. The Macedonians climbed up after him, pulling one another up, some at one place, some at another. And then at a preconcerted signal they turned upon the retreating barbarians and slew many of them in the flight; some others retreating in terror flung themselves down the precipices and died. Alexander thus became master of the rock which had baffled Heracles himself."
With this clear, sober, and full record of Arrian the accounts given by Diodorus and Curtius agree in all essential topographical points. That both these authors used common sources here as elsewhere also, is evident from various indications. But Diodorus contents himself with a much-condensed abstract, and Curtius' narrative owes its greater length mainly to his usual expansion of such minor aspects of the story as specially lend themselves to rhetorical treatment. It will therefore be sufficient, in the case of either account, to note only those points which have a bearing on the location of Aornos.
Diodorus describes the “rock” as a natural stronghold, 100 staclia in circumference, 16 stadia in height, and with a level surface forming a complete circle.48 The Indus washed its foot on the south; elsewhere it was surrounded by deep ravines and inaccessible cliffs. An old man familiar with the neighbourhood promised against a reward to take Alexander up the difficult ascent to a position which would command the barbarians in occupation of the rock. Following his guidance, Alexander first seized the pass leading to the rock, and as there was no other exit from it, blocked up the barbarians. He then filled up the ravine which lay at the foot of the rock with a mound and getting thus nearer vigorously pushed the siege by assaults made for seven days and nights without intermission. At first the barbarians had the advantage owing to the greater height of their position. But when the mound was completed and catapults and other engines had been brought into action, the Indians were struck with despair and escaped from the rock at night by the pass from which Alexander had on purpose withdrawn the guard he had left there. Thus Alexander sccured the rock without risk.
46 Cf. Diodorus, Bibliotheca, ' XVII. lxxxv.; M'Crindle, Invasion of India,' p. 271.
