1854.] . Gradus ad Aornon. 313 



former days the Indian race and the races of Khorussaun,* and was 

 the point at which Sooltan Mainiood first encountered an Indian 

 Army. The predominance of the Western races since the reign of 

 Maimood has driven back the Hindoo tribes to within the boundary 

 of the Indus. The robuster race of Afghan and Asuf, transplanted 

 to the mountains of Grhor by the conqueror Nabukht nasir seem 

 easily to have mastered for themselves all the more rugged tracts, 

 and to have driven out from the valley of Sohaut, or there to have 

 reduced to entire subjection, the softer races of the East, even so 

 early as the day of Alexander. But on the other hand, the greater 

 wealth of India and the heroic courage of the Eajpootre tribes ena- 

 bled them to maintain their empire wherever the climate was con- 

 genial to their constitution, or the surface suited to the evolutions 

 of their cavalry. 



I know of no place in the route of Alexander better indicated 

 by local peculiarities and ancient name than the site of this JNTikaia. 

 Nungnuhar or Julalabad was a convenient spot from which to send 

 heralds to the Indian tribes, as he could there entrust their safe 

 conduct to Indian chiefs and princes. 



Leaving Nikaia, Alexander advanced to the Koopheen river. No 

 river had as yet been crossed, therefore no river is mentioned in the 

 route, although there flowed upon his left hand the various moun- 

 tain streams which united to the Cabul river form, at Julalabad, the 

 Nagooman. These streams and the countries they water, could have 

 had no attraction for Alexander : and to have involved himself in a 

 campaign among mountains so worthless and so rugged, would have 

 necessitated the deferment of his Indian expedition for another sea- 

 son. The river Koopheen kw^v being the first mentioned in the 

 route is of much importance as a landmark. 



We have seen that the united streams of the Cabul river, the 

 Punj sheer, the Mingar, the Alishung and Kooner become at Julala- 

 bad the river Nagooman. In like manner the river Punjgowra 

 and the Sohaut Sinde uniting in Sohaut there bear as one, various 

 new names, according to the towns near which they pass or to the 

 country they water. The names are Sohaut Sinde, Punjgowra. 



* Khorussaun is the old name of all Afghanistaun, which formed the Eastern 

 province of Persia. 



