Trade and Trade Routes in Ancient India c8.9

c8.9

He began his Indian campaigns in the Spring of 329 B.C. He could not take the Bamyan route as the enemy had destroyed all his supplies and, therefore, he took the Khawak route. It is possible that leaving aside the Panjashir valley route he took the shorter route of Salang and Kaoshan. Whatever might have been the case, it was necessary to reach the interior by either of the routes. From here Alexander took the north-western route and passing Haibak he reached Khulm, from where passing Tashkhurghan he reached Balkh. But there is a track in the south of Mazar-e-sharif which entering the land of the Khulm river reaches Balkh. Perhaps Alexander took this route. We know that after reaching Adrasp by the Balkh route Alexander conquered Aornos which probably means natural fortification.⁵ This place could be identified with Kafirkila in Balkh. It is very well known that Alexander reached Balkh without any serious battle; from there he was forced to proceed towards the Oxus. After two years, in the spring of 327 B.C. he led a campaign against Sogdiana after which he returned to Balkh. After reducing it completely he proceeded towards India and after many forced marches he crossed the Hindukush through the Bamyan pass.