The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s1.t2.9

c6.s1.t2.9

Between Multân and Alor the native historians, as well as the early Arab geographers, place a strong fort named *Bhátia*, which, from its position, has a good claim to be identified with the city which Alexander built amongst the Sogdi, as it is not likely that there were many advantageous sites in this level tract of country. Unfortunately, the name is variously written by the different authorities. Thus, Postans gives *Páya*, *Báhiya*, and *Páhiya*; Sir Henry Elliot gives *Pábiya*, *Bátia*, and *Bhátia*, while Price gives *Bahátia*.† It seems probable that it is the same place as *Talháti*,‡ where Jâm Janar crossed the Indus; and perhaps also the same as *Mátila*, or *Mahátila*,§ which was one of the six great forts of Sindh in the seventh century.