The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c25.11

v1.c25.11

But Alexander, having reached the Kābul valley in the winter of 329–8, did not make an immediate advance upon India. Beyond the mountain range which forms the northern side of the valley, the Hindu Kush, lay the extreme provinces of the old Persian Empire towards the north-east—Bactria (whose name still survives in the city of Balkh) and the country now called Bukhāra. Not only were these provinces still unsubdued, but the Persian cause was upheld there by a prince of the old blood royal. Alexander must beat down that opposition, before he could think of invading India. He waited therefore for the rest of the winter in the Kābul valley, till the spring should unblock the passes of the Hindu Kush. And again here the inhabitants saw the Europeans make preparations for permanent settlement. At the foot of the Hindu Kush, whence three roads to Bactria radiate¹, on the site probably of the still existing village of Chārīkār, rose another Alexandria, Alexandria-under-the-Caucasus. In support of the Yavana colony to be left in this town, other little settlements were established at points a day’s journey off in what were henceforth to be Greek towns; Cartana, noted for the rectangular precision with which its walls were traced out (modern Begrām, according to Cunningham) and Cadrusi (Koratas?) are names given us. In this case we have an express statement that 7000 of the people of the land were to be incorporated as citizens of the new towns with those of Alexander’s mercenaries who cared to settle in this region 2800 miles away from their old home². Another new city, or old city transformed with a new Greek name, Nicaea, occupied apparently some site between Alexandria and the Kābul river³.