Book 6 Summary and Analysis

The return home involves taking the Hydaspes River to the Indian Ocean. The flotilla consists of galleys and barges for horses and makes a strong impression on the Indians as it sails down the river at dawn. Alexander stops every so often to handle any native resistance along the way. A portion of his force follows along the riverbank on foot.

The flotilla encounters rapids at the junction with the Acesines River. This frightens both the men and horses, and although the crafts turn about in the eddies, the river is deep enough that most are not damaged. Alexander waits past the rapids to collect wreckage and survivors from the less fortunate boats.

Aware that a people called the Mallians plan to resist Alexander, he takes a portion of his troops to a town where many of the Mallians have taken...