The Early History of India, from 600 B.C. to the Muhammadan Conquest, including the Invasion of Alexander the Great c16.29

c16.29

The exact strength of the Macedonian field force is not stated, but it must have been very small, not exceeding a few thousands.² What it lacked in numbers was compensated for by its perfect mobility and the genius of its general. The Macedonians were alarmed at the magnitude of the opposing forces, and a repetition of the mutiny of the Hyphasis was with difficulty prevented by a stirring address delivered by the king. By two forced marches across the waterless uplands, now known as the *Bār*,³ which separate the valleys of the Akesinēs and Hydraōtes, Alexander completely surprised the Malloi, most of whom were working unarmed in the fields. Many of the helpless wretches were ruthlessly cut down, ‘without their even turning to offer resistance’, and those who escaped the sword were shut up in the fortified towns.