(Ὀξυκανός), or PORTICANUS, as he is called by Q. Curtius, an Indian prince, whose territories lay to the west of those of Musicanus. On the approach of Alexander he had not come to meet him, or sent ambassadors to make his submission to the conqueror. Alexander accordingly marched against him, and speedily took by storm two of his cities, Oxycanus himself being made prisoner. The other towns in his dominions speedily submitted.
It has been supposed that in the latter part of the names Oxycanus and Musicanus is to be traced the word Khuwn or Khan, so that Oxycanus might mean the Rajah of Ouche, Musicanus the Raiah of Moosh. To this it is objected that Khan is a Turkish title, and that there is nothing to show that it was in use in that region at the time of Alexander's invasion. (Arrian, 6.16. *sect; 1; Q. Curt. 9.8.11; Thirlwall, Hist. Gr. vol. vii. p. 48, note).
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