1892.] H. G. Raverty— The Mihrdn of Sind and its Tributaries. 463 
After tlie so called Narali channel unites with the main channel 
of the Hakra below Sayyidali, and the rocky hills on the west side of 
its valley terminate and the sand hills commence, the bed of the 
Hakra begins to increase iu breadth ; and while the Narah channel at 
Salih Pat is (or was ; for the opening of the canal may have caused 
some change), three hundred feet broad, at Janjhu’i, about twenty-eight 
miles below its junction with the main channel of the Hakra, the 
breadth in some places is from two to three thousand feet, but the depth 
decreases in proportion. At about eighty-two miles below Aror, and 
forty-four below the point of junction of the Ra’in or Ra’ini (the 
present Narah channel) with the main branch of the Hakra (just forty 
miles above the site of Bahman-abad and Mansuriyah), clearing the 
sand hills which kept it within bounds on the west side, the channel 
again separates into two. One turns to the south-south-westwards, 
and the other about south-south-east. The former, which is generally 
dry, and is very deep in proportion, is that which, in bygone times, 
flowed by the walls of Mansuriyah and Mahfuzah—hence its name 
“ Puranah Dhorah ” or ancient channel of the Mihran of Sind, or Great 
Mihran, as well as Hakra, Wahindah, Sind-Sagar, or Sankrah. It is 
The account of Curtins is, that after Alexander left the confluence of the three 
rivers of the Panch Nad or Panj Ab with the Indus, after sailing down four days 
from that point, he disembarked, and sent Craterus “ to march the army at no great 
distance from the river on ivhich he was to sail.” Then embarking again, Alexander 
came down stream, but how far is not said, into the territory of the Malli [another 
of the same name!] and Sabracae. * * * After sailing on another four days, he 
reaches another territory, where he builc a city [one would imagine the materials 
were carried in their pockets: it takes time to build cities and find the materials, 
even if built of mud mortar], which he ordered should be called Alexandria. He 
then enters the country of the Musicani, subdues the country, puts a garrison into 
their capital, and from thence marches against the Praesti, another people of India. 
Their strong city is taken after the third day. He then enters the territory of 
king Sabus. Then another four days sail [twelve days in all: the distances each 
day must have been small ] brought him to a city which led into the dominions of 
king Sambus. The city of his people was attacked, and Ptolemy wounded. Sub¬ 
sequently, Alexander marched into the province called Parthalia [Pattalene of the 
other writers], whose king “ fled to the mountains.” There are no mountains 
near : the lime-stone hills near Aror are probably meant. Here he made choice of 
guides [pilots ?] who knew the river, and sailed down to an island [bet] that stood 
almost in the middle of the channel [no doubt Bakhar, some will say, but see the 
island or bet of the Chach Namah, in note 187, page 234], but the guides got away. 
He had only proceeded 400 stadia, however, [about 50 miles from where he took 
his “guides”], when “the pilots told him, that they began to be sensible of their 
near approach to the ocean. On the third day it was perceived that the sea began to 
mingle its waters with that of the river.” Curtius’ description of the approach to 
he sea-coast is clear and interesting. 
