Page:The Ancient Geography of India.djvu/302

256 THE ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY OF INDIA.

position on the Indus for the departure of a large army to the westward. It seems probable, however, that Kraterus was detained for some time by the revolt of Musikanus, as his departure is again men- tioned by Arrian,* after Alexander's capture of the Brahman city near Sindomana. Between Multân and Alor the native historians, as well as the early Arab geographers, place a strong fort named Bhatia, which, from its position, has a good claim to be identified with the city which Alex- ander built amongst the Sogdi, as it is not likely that there were many advantageous sites in this level tract of country. Unfortunately, the name is variously written by the different authorities. Thus, Postans gives Paya, Bahiya, and Páhiya; Sir Henry Elliot gives Púbiya, Bátia, and Bhatiya, while Price gives Bahátia. It seems probable that it is the same place as Talhati, where Jâm Janar crossed the Indus; and perhaps also the same as Mátila, or Mahátila,§ which was one of the six great forts of Sindh in the seventh century.

Bhatia is described by Ferishta as a very strong place, defended by a lofty wall and a deep broad ditch. It was taken by assault in A.H. 393, or A.D. 1003, by Mahmud of Ghazni, after an obstinate de- fence, in which the Raja, named Bajjar, or Bijé Rai, was killed. Amongst the plunder Mahmud obtained no less than 280 elephants, a most substantial proof of the wealth and power of the Hindu prince.

Anabasis,' vi. 17. † Dowson's edition of Sir H. Elliot, i. 138. Journ. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, 1845, p. 171. § Ibid., 1845, p. 79. ||Briggs's Ferishta,' i. 39; and Tabakât.i. Akbari, in Sir Henry Elliot, p. 186. .