Yes, yes, late as ever, I know. If it's any comfort, school's effectively over now, so I'll have much more free time in the next few months.
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The first action of the new king, even before he had stabilized his new nation, was to declare an unprovoked war on Sind. He was genuinely
shocked when the people of his country resented sending soldiers to die fighting Muslims just barely within India, especially ones whom had never done so much as insult Maharasthra. He relented, for once in his life, and ignored the war for about 5 years.
Half a decade. To a man as impatient and impulsive as Rajamar, this was ridiculous. And yet, he never actively did anything about it. Yes, he sulked, he hid himself away, he refused to administer to the basic needs of his kingdom. But he was still not so arrogant as to believe that Maharasthra could survive without popular support for his policies. He never sent so much as a scouting party to Sind.
On January 1st, 1430, this changed.
His nerves seemed to have been steeled. He made up his mind to see the war through to its bitter end. He started by getting military access through Delhi. Next, he met with the leading generals of his army and took up command. The King was going to war. And he was bringing the largest army in Northern India besides Delhi's.
11,000 soldiers, trained to the point that they put the Rajputs, long famed for their martial prowess, to shame. This mighty force would be bearing down on a nation barely able to call upon a force half that size.
For months, this mighty host marched through Delhi lands, until at last it reached the Sind. Crossing the border, they marched straight into the capital city. The Sindi (?) king, Fath Khan Samma, a distant relative of Rajamar's, held his ground valiantly, but was ultimately beaten and forced to flee the capital. He was pursued to Kutch, and he surrendered on August 10. However, his son continued the war. The new king of Sind holed himself up in his capital as the country burned.
Kutch was taken on 13 December. Its capture was signaled by a comet visible from Sind to Maharasthra. This was taken as a bad omen, and stability throughout the empire fell. Nevertheless, Sind and Bikkar were taken on 21 July and 23 July, respectively. The war was over.
The first course of action was to begin converting the Sunni provinces. Missionaries began to operate throughout the area. This was notable because it was the first time that
Hindus began to convert
Muslims, rather than the other way around.
Despite what many had feared, the annexation of Sind did not unite the rest of the world against Maharasthra. The Hindus were more happy than angry, although they publicly denounced the King's actions. As for the Muslims, nothing could make them any angrier at Maharasthra then they already were. (In other words, I have a BB limit of
43!)
Unfortunately, the next few years were characterized by near constant Sunni rebellions. It is estimated that over 30,000 Muslims lost their lives, and as many as 10,000 Marathans.
(Play Yakety Sax here.)
However, by 1435, things were beginning to calm down. And- OH CRAP. THAT'S NO MOO- I mean, THAT'S NOT A REBEL FLAG.
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