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