Indica

  • Indica is a Work written by Arrian (92-175 CE) which provides a military description of the Culture, Geography and History of India.
  • It relates the narrative of the sea voyage of Nearchus, Admiral of the Fleet under Alexander the Great, who sailed down the Indus to the Persian Gulf.

The Narrative

  • At the Battle of Hydaspes (Pakistan) in 325 BCE, the Greek Army’s discipline and experience gave Alexander the Great a victory of the Indian King Porus and his army.
  • But he was impressed by King Porus and re-instated him, this time as a Greek Client King.
  • After the Battle, Admiral Nearchus built a Fleet with the intention of exploring the sea route back to Mesopotamia.
  • Arrian describes this journey from the Indus via the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf back to Susa.

 

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