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

(चतुरँग) army to uproot the Hunnish menace. With their special technique based on their unlimited number, which had so far been unmatched for its efficacy, these Hunnish invaders began to make short work of the Indian frontier guards. No sooner did the Indian soldiers destroy one Hunnish army at a place, than would they emerge up from all other quarters, like ants pouring forth from their anthills. Even if these were completely wiped out, there would appear a fresh one, creating confusion all over the land. The armies of Skundgupta fought battle-after-battle with the irresistible Huns, destroying them steadily but surely for years together. The result was that even the innumerable forces of these Huns gradually lost their strength and energy and dared cross the frontiers of the Gupta Empire no more. Why, they could not even defend the places they held so far against the aggressive and fierce impact of the Guptas. The remaining troops of the Huns, therefore, fled clean out of the Indian frontiers through the very passes they had come in. This crushing defeat kept the Huns away from India for the next forty years or so. The Brave Skundgupta 272. After having fought continuously for years on end and having defeated the most powerful enemy, who had already brought to their knees the greatest empires of the world, Skundgupta proudly returned to his father at Pataliputra, where the victorious Prince was greeted with unprecedented enthusiasm, pomp and glory. Old Emperor Kumargupta’s joy can easily be imagined. It knew no bounds. In order to celebrate this singular success, Kumargupta performed the horse sacrifice (अश्वमेध), according to the age- old Indian tradition. Death of Kumargupta 273. Shortly after this, the old Emperor Kumargupta died, having satisfactorily fulfilled his life-mission. He was succeeded by his eminent son, Skundgupta, many of whose memorable deeds showing his rare abilities cannot be recounted here for want of space and also because they do not directly bear upon the present theme. 274. While Skundgupta was thus ruling in India, another Hunnish adventurer, Khikhil by name, organized their scattered forces in Asia, as Attila before him had done in Europe, and founded another kingdom and styled himself a king. Towards the end of Emperor Skundgupta’s career, this new Hunnish adventurer marched towards India at the head of a