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

Alexander, who had conquered so many kingdoms, it was this naked, old
Brahmin ascetic of India.”
Brahmins hanged for Political Conspiracy
32. In his survey, Alexander came to know that although these world-
forsakers, ascetics, recluses and others were wandering all alone, their
opinions exerted a powerful influence because of their disinterestedness,
fearlessness and their disregard for any consequences whatsoever, upon the
governments of Indian republics and also on the monarchies. The tongues
of these free and fearless Brahmin ascetics, had sharp edges like the swords
of the Indian Kshatriyas and they protested against the unjust Greek
aggression very sharply and spread, openly or secretly, great discontent
against Alexander amongst the Indian populace. Naturally, his first
adoration of these ‘Gymnosophists’ suddenly gave place to his intense
hatred against the Brahmin hermits. Thereupon, he began to seize some
such Brahmins and hang them. Before beheading one such Brahmin, when
Alexander asked him why he instigated a certain Indian ruler against the
Greeks, he fearlessly and firmly replied that it was his most sacred tenet and
that, if he were to live, he ought to live honourably, else he should die
honourably.” (Plutarch LXIV).
33. After defeating King Porus, Alexander thought his dazzling victory
should unnerve the neighbouring states and force them to submit meekly,
but his hopes in this respect mostly belied him. As he crossed the Vitasta
(Jhelum) and marched onward, the various republics, big or small, on his
way began to offer sanguinary battles. Without a decision at the battlefield,
they would never accept his overlordship meekly. Although the superior
number and might of the Greeks went on overpowering the Indians, the
consequent strain of incessant fighting did not fail to make itself felt on the
Greeks.
34. Greek writers have described many such battles with various Indian
republics, but this is no occasion to mention them, either at some length or
briefly. However, some of the chosen incidents have got to be given here at
some length, at least as a mark of respect to those brave Indian republics
who, though not jointly yet severally, offered the toughest of resistance to
that mighty Greek army of a hundred thousand gallant soldiers and their
brave, world-famous, captain-general Alexander, who had vowed
pompously to trample over the whole of India and conquer the Crown of