From the South too the East: The Cries of War
A Gathering of Learned Men
My people. Often in the past, in the days of Ahmad Shan Durrani, he would gather the learned men on people in great meetings at the capital. There they would discuss matter of the kingdom as equal men. No man was above another in these times and even a king would be treated the same as the lowliest of village elder. It is a tradition that has long been forgotten by the rulers of the people and it is one that I have brought back to fulfil a purpose, to make our nation great again, like the days Ahmad Shan. For this to happen we can no longer afford to rely on old glories and riches. We have grown fat and stagnant while our former allies have forgotten the bonds we held dear and our enemies have returned stronger, filled with desire to see our nation reduced to ashes. Tradition has led me to this meeting, but I will follow that path no longer. It is time to forge out a new destiny for our people. One of industry and conquest, for that we can no longer rely on the traditions of our ancestors. We must turn to the West. We will not become them, but we will learn from them. We will master the technologies of industry and war that has made these Europeans rich and strong. To achieve this I have set out a plan of conquest and industry, it is for you, my people, Afghanistan’s people to determine that I will lead us down the right path.
Afghanistan at the height of its power.
The Armies of Afghanistan.
“Mahyar, Azar! It is good to see you both my friends. Come. Sit. Sit. How goes the meeting?”
“It has been enlightening.”
“To say the least. Ha!”
“Has Emir Khan revealed the purpose of this meeting? It was very surprising when I heard about, not since my grandfather’s time has one of these meetings taken place.”
“He has, but we have been sworn to secrecy until it is announced.”
“It seems some of your piers might not have though.”
“Hmm?”
“Rumours my friends. They spread through a city quicker than fire in a field at summer. They say that the Emir seeks to adopt the ideas of the west. He will seek to let traders act independently from the elders or government. A Freedom of trade as others are calling it.”
“If it is true then he will find no shortage of supporters from the merchants and traders.”
“No shortage of enemies from those who follow the traditions.”
“You see this is why I think these rumours are true because the only reason they would actually happen would be to remove the disadvantages of the other.”
“Now you speak in riddles.”
“The other rumour I have heard was that of a march to war. All our nation soldiers are being marched to the border of Kalat. I hear that we are set to reconquer the territory of our grandfathers. Keeping the fitful happy and the merchants pleased. I take it by you silence that this is true.”
“We are but sworn to secrecy brother.”
“Huh. Well then, I suppose it to that we shall have to drink to. As neither of you is willing to offer more.”
“Too secrets.”
Twenty Five days later war was declared by Afghanistan against Kalat. A War of Conquest.
The Cries of the South
The armies of Afghanistan were split into two separate forces of almost equal size. Their task was to strike fast and overwhelm any resistance in numbers. Then when both the border regions garrisons were pacified the main bulk from both forces would move to the capital and cut the final blow.
The First Battle
The first battle of the war was a resounding victory for the soldiers of Afghanistan. The battle began with an engagement of infantry on the hilly terrain of Quetta, using the Cavalry to outmanoeuvre the Kalat infantry. The effect of the Calvary was so great that out of an army of 15,000 warriors none escaped.
The Final Days
The two largest armies from either group proceeded as planned and headed for Kalat for the Final battle.
The battle was hard fought and without the synchronise arrival of both armies the casualty toll would have been much worse, the cavalry effectiveness reduced due to the mountainous terrain of the capital.
The End of The First War of The South.
That October, seven months after the last of Kalat’s armies was shattered it accepted its defeat at the hands of Afghanistan. Its territories now Afghanistan’s by right of conquest. With the war over, Afghanistan’s Armies were sent home, their budget reduced by the treasury to deal with the debt that had built up to fund the war effort. Afghanistan was unprepared.
The War of The East Begins.
