DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.15172#0148
CHAP. V.
SHORKOTE.
113
and did not occupy this part of India on the Greek
invasion.
In the space which intervenes between the
Hydaspes and Ravee, and about equidistant from
either river, stand the ruins of Shorkote, near a
small town of that name. They occupy a con-
siderable space, being much larger than Sehwun,
and of the same description ; viz. a mound of earth,
surrounded by a brick wall, and so high as to
be seen for a circuit of six or eight miles. The
traditions of the people state that a Hindoo Rajah
of the name of Shor ruled in this city, and was
attacked by a king from "Wulayut," or the countries
westward, about 1300 years ago, and overcome
through supernatural means. Shorkote is men-
tioned by Timour's historian ; and its locality leads
me to fix on it as the place where Alexander re-
ceived his wound, for he crossed to the west bank
of the Hydraotes in pursuit of the Malli, who had
retired to " a fortified city not far off," the walls of
which were of brick. The story of the King of the
West is, to say the least of it, a very probable tra-
dition of Alexander of Macedon. The construction
of the place throws some light on the fortresses
which were captured by Alexander. Ancient cities
on the Indus appear to have been mounds of earth
surrounded by brick walls. At Shorcote I had the
good fortune to procure a variety of coins, which I
long believed to be Hindoo; but my surmise re-
garding the antiquity of the spot received a strong
and satisfactory confirmation through the intelli-
gence of the able secretary to the Asiatic Society
VOL. I. I
SHORKOTE.
113
and did not occupy this part of India on the Greek
invasion.
In the space which intervenes between the
Hydaspes and Ravee, and about equidistant from
either river, stand the ruins of Shorkote, near a
small town of that name. They occupy a con-
siderable space, being much larger than Sehwun,
and of the same description ; viz. a mound of earth,
surrounded by a brick wall, and so high as to
be seen for a circuit of six or eight miles. The
traditions of the people state that a Hindoo Rajah
of the name of Shor ruled in this city, and was
attacked by a king from "Wulayut," or the countries
westward, about 1300 years ago, and overcome
through supernatural means. Shorkote is men-
tioned by Timour's historian ; and its locality leads
me to fix on it as the place where Alexander re-
ceived his wound, for he crossed to the west bank
of the Hydraotes in pursuit of the Malli, who had
retired to " a fortified city not far off," the walls of
which were of brick. The story of the King of the
West is, to say the least of it, a very probable tra-
dition of Alexander of Macedon. The construction
of the place throws some light on the fortresses
which were captured by Alexander. Ancient cities
on the Indus appear to have been mounds of earth
surrounded by brick walls. At Shorcote I had the
good fortune to procure a variety of coins, which I
long believed to be Hindoo; but my surmise re-
garding the antiquity of the spot received a strong
and satisfactory confirmation through the intelli-
gence of the able secretary to the Asiatic Society
VOL. I. I