The Ancient Geography of India. I. The Buddhist Period, including the Campaigns of Alexander, and the Travels of Hwen-Thsang c6.s1.t8.15

c6.s1.t8.15

2nd. The base of the Delta was reckoned by Aristobulus at 1000 *stadia*, or 115 miles; by Nearchus at 1800 *stadia*, and by Onesikritus at 2000 *stadia*.[*] But as the actual coast line, from the Ghâra mouth on the west, to the Kori mouth on the east, is not more than 125 miles, we may adopt the estimate of Aristobulus in preference to the larger numbers of the other authorities. And as Onesikritus states that all three sides of the Delta were of the same length, the distance of *Patala* from the sea may be taken at from 1000 *stadia*, or 115 miles, up to 125 miles. Now, the distance of Haidarâbâd from the *Ghára*, or western mouth of the Indus, is 110 miles, and from the *Kori*, or eastern mouth, 135 miles, both of which agree sufficiently near to the base measurement to warrant the descriptions of Onesikritus that the Delta formed an equilateral triangle. Consequently, the city of *Patala*, which was either at or near the head of the Delta, may be almost certainly identified with the present Haidarâbâd.