Indian Antiquary Vol 05

SR No.: 032497
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 438
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 20 MB

Page 119

APRIL, 1876.]
TRANSLATION OF THE INDICA OF ARRIAN.
97
XXI. Now when the south-west monsoon and otherwise convenient, designates Alexcalmed, -which prevails throughout all the hot ander's Haven. There is an island at the season, blowing from the sea towards the land, mouth of the harbour, about two stadia off. and rendering navigation in these seas imprac- Its name is Bibacta, but the entire district ticable, it was then that the expedition started is called Sangada. That the place makes & on the voyage in the year when Cephisidorus harbour is all due to the island, which shelters was Archon at Athens, on the 20th day of the it by forming a barrier against the sea. Here month Boëdromion, according to the Athenian strong gales blew from seaward for a long time mode of reckoning, but as the Macedonians and continuously, and Nearchus, fearing lest some t'he Asiatios reckoned ... in the 11th year of the barbariaus might combine with a view to of the reign of Alexander. But Nearchus, plander the camp, fortified his position with a before putting to sea, sacrifices to Zeus the stone wall. Here they had to tarry four-andSaviour, and also, as Alexander had done, twenty days. The soldiers-50 Nearchus tells celebrates a gymnastic contest. Then clearing us-bished for mussels and oysters, and what out of harbour, they come the first day to is called the razor-fish, all of these being of moorings in the Indus near a great canal ; and extraordinary size as compared with the speci. there they remain for two days. The place mens to be found in our sea. He adds that was called Stura, and was distant about 100 they were here obliged to drink salt sea-water. stadia from the harbour they had left. Clear- XXII. As soon as the stormy weather was ing from this on the third day, they sailed on till over they again put to sea, and having run they came to another canal, 30 stadia further fully 60 stadia they drop anchor off & sandy down, in which the water was salt: for the beach, not far from which lay a desert island, sea, it seems, ran up into it, especially in flood and here they anchored in such a position that tides, and its waters at ebb-tides still remained they were sheltered by this island, the name of mixed with those of the river. This place was which was Domae. Water was not procurable called Canmar &. Sailing thence a distance on the beach, but the men on going into the of 20 stadia down the stream, they reach Core- interior about 20 stadia found very good water. ēstis, and anchor, being still in the river. After The voyage was resumed next day towards elearing from this, they did not make much evening, when they sailed 300 stadia and reached way, for a sunken reef revealed its presence at Saranga, where they anchor near the beach, that part of the mouth of the Indus, and the and find water some eight stadia inland from it. waves were heard dashing with loud roar upon Making from this they put into Sacali, a the beach, which was wild and rugged. They desert place, and anchor there. When again dog, however, a passage five stadia long through ander weigh they sailed through between two the reef where it was found to be soft, and cliffs which were so near each other that the through this steered the ships when the flood- blades of the oars grazed the rocks on either tide came in from the sea. Then by a winding side, and then they drop anchor in Morontocourse of 120 stadia they gain Crocala, a bari, having run 300 stadia. The harbour sandy island, where they anchor and remain till here was roomy, circular in shape, deep and well next day. Near this place dwells an Indian sheltered, but the entrance
sheltered, but the entrance to it was narrow. tribe called the Arabii, whom I have men
It was called, in the language of the countioned in my larger narrative, stating that they try, "Women's Haven,' because a woman had derive their name from the river Arabis, which been the first sovereign of the place. But when flows through their country to the sea parting they were steering between the rocks we have them from the Orita. On launchirg from mentioned they encountered heavy waves and Crocala they had on their right hand a mountain a boisterous sea : for indeed it appeared a great which the inhabitants called Iros, and on feat to have steered their way through between their left a flat island. As this island Jay near the rocks and got safe beyond them. When the mainland shore it helps to form a narrow they put to sea they sailed on till the next bay. Having quite cleared this passage they day, having on their left hand an island making come to moorings in a harbour of great security, a barrier against the sea and lying so close which Nearchus, on finding it to be both spacious to the shore that the channel between the