1923. | Why did not Alexander cross the Beas ? 369 
So it was perfecly legitimate for them to infer the nature 
of the struggle that awaited them if they crossed the Beas and 
met the hosts of Magadha. Thus the demoralisation of the 
Greek army seems to have begun as soon as Alexander crossed 
the Hindukush and reached its climax on the Hyphasis when 
the reports about the strength and power of the Nandas 
began to reach the Greek camp. This must be combined in 
the retreat of Alexander. History thus lost sight of 
the struggle between the Macedonian conqueror and Agrammes, 
the only potentate who could claim imperial rank in India at 
that time. What would have been the results of such a 
generalship of Alexander would have prevailed in the end. 
But then it is also probable that if he crossed the Beas and 
plunged more deeply into the interior of India he would have 
met the same fate as was reserved later on for Charles XII 
after his victory at Pultawa or for Napoleon after the capture 
of Moscow. 
