310 Alexander's exploits on the Western Batiks of the Indus. [April, 



superfluous to remark that there is a mountain two days' journey N. of 

 Dhyr, by name Ser-Adkamoos- Oure, situated on the route leading to 

 Badakchan, a region near which is a place called Hissar. This latter 

 word in Hindee signifies a fortress, whence the present city of Achtna- 

 gar is also known by the name of Hissar. 



I had also had scrupulous researches made concerning the Aornos, 

 but with similar mal-success. Alkfding to this rock, I have already 

 observed in my journey through Affghanistan that a similar mount 

 presents itself (with all the peculiarities described by Arrian) in the 

 canton of Naoghi, near Bajore, where the vestiges also exist of a city 

 named Ambar, which is probably the Ambolima of Ptolemy, placed 

 by him on the lower branch of the Choes or Cophenes. 



The persons I commissioned to explore the country about Dhyr 

 reported to me, that in the canton of Laori, near that of Dhyr, there 

 exists a mountain corresponding in all its particulars with the Aornos. 

 Others have assured me that there is a similar one in the canton 

 of Booner, a region, like all the rest of Yousoufze'is, interspersed with in- 

 sulated mountains, whither the inhabitants take refuge in case of immi- 

 nent danger, and which, considering the proximity of the city of Amb, 

 capital of a canton situated on the Indus, renders such an opinion 

 sufficiently probable. I must also subjoin, that beyond the territory Mo- 

 la Goori, situated below the confluence of the Penjecoore* and the Suwat, 

 to the west of both those rivers united, a mountain is observable called 

 Salata, and*also named Azarno, which on account of its insulated posi- 

 tion and elevated form, resembling a flattened or headless cone, may be 

 easily taken for the Aornos. This mount is quite perceptible from 

 Peshawur, behind the defile of Fengui, as its summits far surpass the 

 Malekan ridge. I shall also observe that on mount Guendeguer, to 

 the N. E. of Azerou, places situated to the east of the Indus, there is the 

 fort of Serikoot, a name bearing a striking resemblance to that of 

 Sisicotte, to which Alexander confided the garrison of Aornos. The 

 former is a renowned stronghold of those regions, having cost the 

 Seiks a great deal of blood, and being the place whither the inhabi- 

 tants of the surrounding countries resort for shelter in cases of peculiar 

 peril. 



After surmises of this sort, we must infer that it is extremely dif- 

 ficult to know which opinion to embrace, especially as the ancient 

 historians themselves are not agreed on this important point, which 

 constitutes one of the most brilliant of Alexander's exploits. Arrian 

 collocates Aornos near Bazira ; Strabo towards the sources of the 

 Indus ; and Quintus Curtius on the banks of that river. With reference 

 to the latter opinion, I would observe, that a rock exists opposite 



