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	Bazira (Bir-Kot)
	Unless otherwise indicated, pictures on this page © Marco Prins and Jona Lendering. Photos can be downloaded and used for non-commercial purposes, but you have to acknowledge Livius.
	The river Swat near Bir-Kot, ancient Bazira. In the spring of 326 BCE, Alexander the Great conquered this beautiful valley. While he was besieging Massaga, his adjutant Coenus was sent to Bazira, but he failed to take the fort. Although Alexander came to his assistance, he decided to take nearby Ora first, which was larger and seemed to receive reinforcements.
	Coenus therefore built a fortified camp to check the inhabitants of Bazira, who belonged to the tribe of the Assaceni. Seeing that the Macedonians had taken up defensive positions, the Indians attacked their enemies, but were defeated. The siege of Bazira, here seen from the southwest, continued until Ora had been taken.
	Bazira from the east. The fortification walls are still visible.
	Bazira from the north, across the Swat. To the left, the ancient walls are visible. Catapult stones have been found in the fort, and it is tempting to connect them with the Macedonian siege.
	Ditches on the western slope of Bazira, seen from the north. This slope is the only accessible part of the rock. When the defenders learned that Ora had fallen, they fled across the Shang-La pass to Aornus, a rock citadel near the Indus.
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