Featured Article Summary #8

Boukephala and Nikaia were two cities founded by Alexander the Great in Pakistan. They were built after Alexander's victory over the Indian king Porus. It is unclear which city had which name, but the city on the eastern bank was likely called Nikaia while the one on the western bank was probably named after Alexander's horse, Bucephalus. Both cities were initially affected by monsoon rains. Boukephala had a more significant history and is mentioned in various ancient manuscripts and maps. The precise locations of the cities are unknown, but it is believed that Boukephala was near modern Jalalpur and Nikaia was across the river near present-day Mong. After defeating the Persian king and capturing much of West Asia, Alexander the Great moved towards the Indus river to conquer northern India. He founded two cities, Nikaia and Boukephala, on opposite sides of the Indus. The purpose of these cities is disputed, with some believing they were trade centers while others argue they were military garrisons. The sources also provide conflicting information on whether Boukephala was named after Alexander's horse, Bucephalus, and on which city corresponded to each name. Boukephala survived for several centuries, potentially under the rule of the Mauryan Empire and with the help of the Indo-Greek kingdom. The British classicist William Woodthorpe Tarn suggested that the city was the capital of the Indo-Greek king Hippostratus, but this theory is disputed. Nikaia is mentioned less frequently in ancient sources, and it is possible that the name Alexandria for Porus actually refers to Nikaia. The locations of Boukephala and Nikaia are disputed, but it is unlikely that much of either city remains today. The prevailing view is that Boukephala is underneath modern-day Jalalpur Sharif, and if this is the case, then Nikaia is likely located in the town of Mong, across the river. There are references to these cities in ancient texts, suggesting that they may have existed. There are three significant dates mentioned in this text: 1884, 1853, and 1967.