1836.] and the ancient province of Taxila. 473 



M. Court recognizes the place of Alexander's passage at Khili* 

 patan, where is still the principal ford. It is five kos from Jelim, the 

 Bucephela of our informant : agreeing with the passage in history, 

 ** Alexander wishing to pass the Hydaspes, ascended four leagues 

 higher up than where he had encamped, and there crossed his army 

 at an island which facilitated the passage." This island is the one 

 in face of Khilipatan, for at the village of Gitiali the river divides into 

 two branches, one running towards Jelam, the other towards i$uk~ 

 chandpur. They enclose a large plain of cultivable ground. The 

 western branch is only fordable in November, December, and 

 January : it divides again into two branches at Khilipatan, thus 

 forming several large islands, the largest being two leagues long by 

 one broad : — the river beds are pebbly, and the current strong. The 

 plain continues for four kos up to the ruins of Patti Koti ; and here, 

 doubtless, Alexander must have had his encounter with Porus* 

 son, and with that prince himself, who came to his aid. All that 

 Plutarch says of the passage and of the towns founded by Alexan- 

 der, tallies well with the above explanation. 



The celebrated fortress of Rotas, now unworthy of regard in a 

 military view, presents little beyond Muhammedan tombs and mosques 

 in its ruins. There are, however, Hindu medals found there, but the 

 particular class is not mentioned. 



Pind-ddden Khan, a modern commercial town, is the great mart for 

 the rock salt of the mountains on the west, now monopolized by Ran- 

 jit Singh*. Other ruins of an ancient town, Gagirakhi, extend along 

 the banks of the Hydaspes from near Jeldlpur to Ddrapur. On leav- 

 ing the district of Pind-dadan Khan by the route which traverses the 

 salt range, the site of an Indian annual pilgrimage occurs, called 

 Kattas. Here again are the traces of an old town ascribed to the 

 Pandavas, where are found small images of a red stone, holding in 

 their hand the toppa of the Persians, — a species of iron club which 

 would appear to have been a weapon of offence formerly in use. 

 Alexander was wounded by one in his attack on the fort of the 

 Malli. 



The district of Thenni bordering upon that of Pind-dddan is famous 

 for its breed of horses and mules. After passing Chekuvdl, Nilli and 

 Dula on the Suban river, a ruined castle is pointed out where the 



sovereigns of old used to keep their treasure. Medals are here found 



* See the description by Burnes in his Travels, vol. i. 52, and in the Journ. 

 As. Socy. ii. 365.— Ed. 

 3 Q 



