G32 The Battle Field of Alexander and Porus. [Dec. 



sova bear not the slightest resemblance to the Sarmati of the Polish 

 Varsova. Their origin is uncertain. They call themselves aborigines 

 and are undoubtedly one of the oldest tribes hereabouts. It was from 

 the pine forests of Varsova that Alexander must have constructed the 

 celebrated fleet by which he wafted his army to the mouths of the 

 Indus. 



These observations are offered with deference to the able and accom- 

 plished officer with whose conjectures I have sometimes presumed to 

 differ. They are presented as the suggestions of a Pioneer who has 

 been over ground which Capt. Cunningham's leisure did not admit of 

 his visiting, and are insisted upon only so far as they recommend them- 

 selves to his judgment. 



I see that in the map of that prince of topographers, Arrowsmith, 

 whose delineation of the features of the Punjaub is beyond all praise, 

 one of the Swant mountains is designated Aornos : but I know not 

 upon what authority : — whilst in other maps a Nicetta (quaere the long 

 sought Niccea), appears upon the Loondi It. 



The rivers Kooner and Loondi may, indeed, by a certain latitude of 

 interpretation, be called the springs of the Indus, and the people of 

 Bajoor (the Bezira besieged by Alexander), would naturally retreat to 

 the Swant mountains. 



But it appears to me necessary to the consistency of the narrative, 

 that Aornos should be sited upon the Indus, and I think it quite im- 

 possible that so famous a retreat of the turbulent Affacini as the Maha 

 Bunn should have been passed unnoticed by Arrian. 



I must however observe, that people of Bajore assure me there is a 

 mountain upon the spot indicated by Arrowsmith' s map, of the follow- 

 ing description. It stands upon the right bank of the river Loondi. 

 It is girdled to the south and east with stupendous cliffs, which give it 

 the aspect rather of a castle* than of a mountain. Its summit is the 

 abode of the Siah-posh Kawfurs, who maintain such vigilant watch, 

 that no stranger can enter without their permission. It is quite unas- 

 sailable and forms the principal path of communication between Bajore 

 and the Siah-posh Kawfur country. There is also another mountain of 

 not less altitude than the Maha Bunn, standing about 20 miles to the 



* Terrseque motu coactum absistere — says Quintus Curtius, was the popular tra- 

 dition of Aornos. 



