6_Glorious_Epochs_of_Indian_History

114 SIX GLORIOUS EPOCHS OF INDIAN HISTORY
very same energy and devilish ambition with which they
devastated the empires of China, Russia, and Rome, did these
Huns march impatiently to trample down India from end to
end under their horses' hoofs, and began to force their way
to the Indus.
BUT
270. Rut fortunately India was no longer being
ruled by any coward like Dhananand who brought disgrace
to the land at the time of the Greek invasion of the Punjab.
It was now under the sovereignty of Kumargupta,* the
illustrious son of Emperor Vikramaditya, the avenger of
the Saka-Kushan domination. India at that time enjoyed the
century-old Golden Age of the Gupta era. The Mauryan
Golden Age saw, towards its close, the Indian military
strength disorganized and powerless, because of the foolhardy
Asokan policy of total non-violence (Ahimsa). But the Vedic
India of this time under the leadership of Kumargupta did
not allow the imperial army to degenerate in the least. Being
always aware of the avalanche-like Hunnish onslaught,
which was expected sooner or later. Emperor Kumargupta
kept a very strong war-like and well-organized army,^" ever
prepared to defend its frontiers.
THE FIRST HUNNISH ONRUSH PARALYSED
271. The moment he learnt of the Hunnish aggression
on Gandhar, Kumargupta sent his valiant son, Skundgupta
at the head of his four-fold ('^^'n) 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 fresh ones creating confusion all over
the land. The armies of Skundgupta fought battle after