Chapter 7 - Strange Bedfellows
The years after the 4th Anglo-Sikh war prove to be quite eventful. The United Kingdom, perhaps looking for a softer target, was discovered trying to fabricate a casus belli against the Qin Empire. The UK would later go on to wrest the region of Canton from the Qing's control.
In 1872, a fairly major jacobin revolt broke out, though it was, in time, put down by the Fauj-i-Ain. The Maharaja made no changes to the political rights of the populace afterwards, but publically expressed that he was 'exploring the idea.' So far, he is still exploring it.
As promised after the last Anglo-Sikh ar, the Maharaja, almost to the point of single-mindedness, pursued the full modernization of the Fauj-i-Ain's military technology, officer corps, and doctrine. By 1880, the efforts would be almost complete, and the Fauj-i-Ain would, at last, truly be a fully modern first-rate army, easily on par with any of the western nations, save in Military science, which was still in the process of being brought up to modern standards. Improved supply technologies and methods were also researched.
Beyond that, numerous new inventions, methods, and techniques were created. Many of these were economic in nature, but the vast majority were of a military nature. New wargames, saddle orders, training in flexible firepower and synchronized heavy support, and even machine guns were discovered and implemented. These were but some of the innovations introduced from 1872 to 1880.
While, by and large, a time of peace and stability, the world was not without troubles. In 1874, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa and Kokand became embroiled in a short war over Khorug in Bandakshan. The victor goes without saying.
A more serious conflict was ignited by a crisis in Eastern Europe. Said crisis was over the Russian regions of Congress Poland. On one side was the United Kingdom and its ever-faithful ally, Germany. On the other was the Russian Empire, France, Belgium, and, eventually, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa. Diplomacy failed, and a war erupted over the business. Naturally, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa was left to face the UK alone on the subcontinent, while its temporary allies faced Germany in Europe.
At this point, the Fauj-i-Ain had only partially completed its modernization efforts, but it performed quite well, considering. The large British garrison the imperialists had sent to guard their remaining territories was continuously defeated and, eventually, destroyed entirely, and all British-held territories on the subcontinent, save Ceylon, were occupied. The most significant battle of the Indian theater was the battle of Allahbad. Alas, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa's allies did not fare quite as well, and the conflict ended with the release of Congress Poland as a sovereign state. Still, the much-improved performance of the Fauj-i-Ain against the British was heartening and proof that the Maharaja's efforts were not in vain.
Domestically, the Maharaja organized the construction of numerous new forts, especially in states bordering Imperialist territory. The Sarkar-e-Khalsa's first railroads were also constructed, terrain permitting. As of yet, they are rudimentary, but the Maharaja is hopeful that these rail lines will prove useful when the country begins its industrialization efforts in the future. Awadh, long under Sikh control, finally became a state, to great celebration. Finally, a new minister was appointed in 1880 after the unfortunate passing of the previous one. The new minister, a veteran general that served in two of the Anglo-Sikh wars, should prove to be an adept minister in times of war, should such become necessary.
Elsewhere in the world, representatives of the European Great Powers, as well as Russia and the Ottoman Empire, met in Paris to discuss the growing instability in the Balkans. All agreed, save the Ottoman representatives, that the Balkans should be stabilized. The Maharaja considered this event little more than an idle curiosity, though seeing the United Kingdom's largest puppet state weakened, however slightly, pleased him.
In 1876, the Qing finally modernized. The Sarkar-e-Khalsa's relations with the Qing had been good for decades, though that was as far as the relationship went. Both countries recognizing that a Sino-Sikh alliance would be to the advantage of both countries, a formal alliance, at long last, was formed shortly thereafter. Regretfully, the alliance would end when the Maharaja had to refuse a call to arms against the Russian Empire. If not for the timing--he was planning something momentous that required the entirely country's undivided attention--he would have honored the alliance.
The task that required the Sarkar-e-Khalsa's undivided attention? Why, war against the imperialists, what else? The Maharaja had been preparing for this war for years--the crisis years before had just been a sideshow--and was determined for this to be the last of these Anglo-Sikh wars.
On April 13th, 1880, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa began mobilizing, attaching the reserve artillery & cavalry to groups of 18,000 conscripts. On July 29th, the Sarkar-e-Khalsa declared war on the United Kingdom once again, ostensibly to free cores on the behalf of its sphereling Beroda.
The Fifth--and hopefully final--Anglo-Sikh war had begun.
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Mmmm, that crisis war was rather easy, even though my side lost. A pity Russia capitulated.
When I get the chance, I am going to free the Ottoman Empire, if only so I don't have to look at UNITED KINGDOM splayed across its territory any longer. But first... India.
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