1854.] Gradus ad Aornon. 357 



Sohaut Sinde (Suastus) above its junction with the Piinjgowra, have 

 conquered western Sohaut and have crossed the Punjgowra to besiege 

 Massaga. But Massaga seems to have been a city of the Assakanoi 

 and Gouraioi, and their habitat is north of the Punjgowra river, a 

 little territory only of the Gowr tribe being on the right bank of 

 that river. I therefore still incline to the opinion I have expressed 

 that neither Arrian nor Ourtius has recorded the events in the exact 

 order of succession, although I think that Arrian' s route is generally 

 to be depended upon. 



The construction of a map of Sohaut is a matter of much import- 

 ance. Sooner or later the Sohauties will compel us to punish them. 

 Every possible means should therefore be applied to add to our 

 knowledge of the features of that rich and extensive valley, and 

 imperfect as is the sketch map now offered, it will yet I trust 

 serve as a foundation for more satisfactory charts, and if so, the 

 toil it has cost me, will be well rewarded. 



Appendix to the Gradus ad Aornon. 



The following are sites which, with reference to the narrative of 

 Curtius, should not be passed unobserved. 



Curtius states that the Macedonians in storming Aornos, were 

 hurled from the mountain crest into the river Indus. 



There are but two rocks upon the Indus from which this could 

 have occurred, viz. Pehoor and Kotla.* The latter I have described 

 in a note. 



Pehoor is a fortified rock about 100 feet in height and perhaps 

 200 yards in length by 50 in breadth at base. On the north the 

 east and the west it is a clhT, on the south the ascent is by terraces. 

 The summit has a castle now in ruins of very great strength to 

 resist the attack of a force, unprovided with artillery. At the rise 

 of the river, the rock becomes an island. It commands one of the 

 principal ferries of the Indus and the main road from the Eusufzye 

 to Umb, and other villages on the right border of the Indus. 



* The castle of Raja Hodi on the summit of a steep and pointed hill on right 

 bank of Indus has been supposed to represent Aornos. It might possibly suit 

 the description of Curtius, (quicksands excepted), but would not answer to An inn's 

 description, having neither water nor arable land. 



3 B 



