The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c16.101

c16.101

The descent of the rivers to the ocean through the territories of civilized and well-armed nations, admittedly the best soldiers in the east, and the voyage of Nearchos from the Indus to the Tigris, may fairly be described as unqualified successes. The third great enterprise, the retirement of the army led by Alexander in person through Gedrosia,¹ would have been equally prosperous but for the occurrence of physical difficulties, which could not be foreseen owing to the imperfection of the information at the king’s command. But even this operation was not a failure. Notwithstanding the terrible privations endured and the heavy losses suffered, the army emerged from the deserts as an organized and disciplined force, and its commander’s purpose was attained.