The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c5.s4.t21.1

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The third city captured by Alexander in his campaign against the Malli is described in similar terms by all the historians. According to Arrian* “Alexander then led his army against a certain city of the Brachmani, where he heard another body of the Malii had fled.” The garrison “abandoned the city and fled to the castle,” which being stormed they set fire to their houses, and perished in the flames. “About 5000 of them fell during the siege, and so great was their valour that few came alive into the enemy’s hands.” Both Curtius† and Diodorus‡ mention the fire, and the stout defence made by the garrison, which the latter author numbers at 20,000 men, of whom 3000 only escaped by taking refuge in the citadel, where they capitulated. Curtius also states that the citadel was uninjured, and that Alexander left a garrison in it.§