Update Seven
Miran was enjoying considerable support from the people of Khandesh following his victories in the last few wars. To them it seemed that Miran perhaps truly was a military genius and not merely one only in his own mind. He had brought Khandesh numerous victories, despite his noticeable absence from the actual field of battle for many of those victories. Furthermore the only real rival to his throne, General Eswara, had passed away in very suspicious circumstances. So suspicious indeed, that few dared question exactly what had happened to the talented general. Feeling that he had finally won the respect and adulation of his people, which he had long deserved for his many stunning military victories against far smaller powers, Miran made the decision to further centralise power within Khandesh.
Whilst Miran was certainly beginning to impress more of the Khandesh public at this point in his rule, enough remained sure that Miran was an incompetent, lucky scoundrel who had only enjoyed success against considerably weaker nations. Even then struggling to best said weaker nations. Thus the move to centralise and thus put more power into his inept hands, met with opposition.
The rebellion caused by the centralisation certainly did not worry Miran. A mere 8,000 strong rebel army had little chance of defeating his ever victorious, invincible armies. Miran was confident he would easily crush the impertinent blaggard who had dared to claim his throne. His army would never be defeated by such curs, especially with he himself leading the force against the benighted rebels who would be dispatched without delay.
After the shocking ambush and defeat of the small Khandesh garrison in Kongu, a defeat which was clearly only suffered due to the rebels enjoying inordinate luck, Miran decided to no longer lead the army against these evil wretches himself. He made this decision not because he was afraid of facing such a small rebel force, rather, such an action was not worthy of him. His martial genius had to be saved for more important opponents.
Following the defeated rebellion, Khandesh enjoyed some months of relative peace and prosperity until July 1444, whereupon Minister Hemant urgently sought out Miran, passing on the troubling news that the Telegu people were considering revolt. Miran was unimpressed when he heard this. He could not believe that yet more people would consider revolt against a kind, benevolent, wise and all-conquering ruler such as himself.
Upon reading the ultimatum from the rebel leaders, Miran quickly caved into their demands. It was not that he feared fighting the them, as it was clear that he, a gifted military leader, would easily trump such foolish rebels. Rather, the croquet season was taking up too much of his time for him to deal with the rebellion.
Miran was growing ever more worried as he approached his later years. He had gained countless victories, many admittedly against smaller nations, and he had also suffered many defeats. Nonetheless clearly to his own mind he was the greatest military leader of all time. Few could compare to his record. Yet still some within Khandesh questioned his ability. He thus felt that there was really only one way to prove for once and for all his reputation as the great leader of his and all time.
War against yet another considerably outnumbered, already consistently defeated, coalition of smaller states. Without doubt this war would sway anyone who still questioned his military ability.
Not only was the enemy coalition considerably outnumbered, many of the members of the opposing coalition could field no armies whatsoever, or did not have the money to pay their troops. Truly this was a foe on par with Miran's astounding military genius.
Victory over the unpaid, and thus hugely demoralised, smaller Rajputana army left Miran feeling jubiliant and proud of his stunning victory against the smaller, weaker foe. His genius had claimed yet another victim.
The various allies Rajputana had called upon after Khandesh's declaration of war against the small state, were quickly too beaten into submission. Soon only Rajputana herself stood against Khandesh. Miran was thus surprised to note that Khandesh's ally, Nogai, had sent men on the long journey from their homeland through the Timurids lands to the frontlines.
He felt such a force being sent was a slight to himself. Surely every nation knew of his military prowess, thus knowing he needed no aid during war, especially not against such a weak opponent as Rajputana. Minister Hemant slightly mollified Miran, assuring the Sultan that the Nogai troops had come simply to witness he, the military master, at work wishing to thus glean tips from him. Minister Hemant neglected to mention that he had in fact begged for Nogai to send aid with all pace, sure as he was that Miran would, through some act of shocking incompetence, bring about defeat for Khandesh against the smaller enemy powers.
With the unwanted, in some quarters, aid of Nogai, Rajputana fell quickly to Khandesh occupation. February 1446 bringing peace once again.
Khandesh had gained more land and an ecstatic Miran was confident now that he could claim, without fear of any argument, to be the foremost military leader of his generation. He had brought about yet another masterful defeat of outnumbered, near-bankrupt, struggling nations. Verily he was clearly the master of war.
After the war, months passed without incident. Miran was enjoying his rule as Sultan. He no longer felt the weight of expectation upon him. He had consistently delivered victory to his country. He had secured his reputation as a great leader and thus he no longer feared poker shaped objects. That is until November 1446. Miran had long warned Delhi from any further aggressive acts against any nations, safe in the knowledge that his reputation would surely stay Delhi from breaching the warning. It was then, with great shock and fear, that Miran learned from Hemant that Delhi had attacked Bihar, who now requested Miran's aid.
Miran's fear was not caused by any thought of fighting Delhi. Clearly he would easily triumph over such an inferior foe. Rather, he feared for the powerful Delhi itself, as the country would clearly suffer when he unleashed his wrath upon the nation. Furthermore, he feared his nemesis, Bihar, who had the audacity to call themselves a 'faithful ally'. Indeed, Miran felt it probably best to just let Delhi swallow up Bihar. That was until Hemant mentioned the word 'poker' a few times, prompting Miran to quickly muster the troops.
Minister Hemant was no fool, he knew that his liege would struggle against a truly powerful nation such as Delhi. She was no bankrupt, ailing minor nation, which were Miran's favourite opponents. If Khandesh was to have any true chance of victory, another professional military leader was called for. Hemant thus quickly authorised the recruitment of a new general. This general would be required to carry out the bulk of the fighting, for Hemant did not trust Miran for such a role. Against near dead enemies, Miran may achieve victory, but a true regional power such as Delhi was another proposition entirely. Khandesh needed a truly competent and able commander.
Thus it was with great dismay that Hemant noted the newly recruited general's name was, of course, Miran.
Nonetheless with double Miran power being unleashed upon an unsuspecting foe once again, Khandesh was clearly destined to enjoy victory yet again.