भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

be drafted for military action. Although different from each other in some particular respects, their constitutions, needless to say, were essentially democratic. Whether big or small in size, they were all independent. The Republic of the Youdheyas 38. The Republic of the Youdheyas, spread far and wide in the fertile lands to the south of the river Vyas in the Panchanad (the Punjab), was the most prominent of them all. It was looked upon with awe and respect by every one because of its valiant youths who always fought for their independence, regardless of their lives. It was truly called, by the foreign historians, ‘A nation in arms’. They too had a law necessitating everyone between the ages of 18 and 21 to undergo sound military training, which kept not only their male but even the female population well-equipped with arms. 39. On seeing Alexander march down the Vitasta (Jhelum) and the Chandrabhaga (Chenab) in order to cross the Vyas, after defeating King Porus, the adjoining republics and the hill tribes, the gallant Youdheyas, who were to the south of the river, spurned Alexander’s ultimatum of abject surrender and began all-out preparations for war. Yet the so-called Emperor of Magadha, the cowardly Dhananand, was not roused from his stupor. That lily-livered coward does not seem to have sent any mlitary help to the gallant Youdheyas in order to vanquish Alexander at the very portals of India. Nevertheless, the Youdheyas got ready to face Alexander, relying on nothing but their own strength. Alexander’s Army Struck with Terror 40. When Alexander’s army came fighting to the banks of the river Vyas, after crossing the Indus, the Vitasta, and the Chandrabhaga, they came to know that beyond that river, the democratic Youdheyas had taken arms to fight for their independence against the Greeks. Besides, they learnt about their bravery, and also of the fact that beyond the Youdheyas, mightier Indian states along the banks of the Ganges were making ready to fight with them. The Greek soldiers, already spent and disgusted with unceasing warfare with the Indians in the Panchanad, dared not cross the Vyas and join battle with the courageous and daring Indian states like the Youdheyas and others. 41. But the lust for war and conquest of their war-intoxicated, enterprising and exceptionally courageous captain-general and emperor, Alexander was not quenched in the least. He proclaimed, throughout all the divisions of his