The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c24.173

v1.c24.173

The account of Nearchus, as preserved by Arrian (*Anab.* VI, 24, 2–3), links the names of Cyrus and of Semiramis, the far-famed Assyrian Queen, and states that Alexander, when planning his march through Gedrosia (Baluchistān), was told by the inhabitants 'that no one had ever before escaped with an army by this route, excepting Semiramis on her flight from India. And she, they said, escaped with only twenty of her army, and Cyrus, the son of Cambyses, in his turn with only seven. For Cyrus also came into these parts with the purpose of invading India, but was prevented through losing the greater part of his army, owing to the desolate and impracticable character of the route'.¹