The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c25.160

v1.c25.160

On the lower Indus the coming of the Europeans was anticipated with terror. At the point⁴ where the Indus in those days divided into its two branches was situate the great city of Pattala. The author followed by Diodorus (XVII, 104) stated that it was ruled, like Sparta, by two kings and a council of elders. If that is so, it must have been one of these kings who journeyed up stream to pay homage to Alexander, presumably the same person whom one authority calls Moeris⁵. But it was only to gain time. As soon as he came back to Pattala, he and a large part of the population abandoned the place and fled.