Part 9 - The Sacred River
The river Ganges
The main bulk of the Vijayanagar army was stationed in Mysore, and so it was a long march up towards the Bengali province of Sambalpur. When they arrived they found Kapilesvara Gajapati's army already besieging the city, and so the Emperor decided to march towards the Ganges. The river was crossed in late January 1440, and a siege of Calcutta was begun in the middle of February. Meanwhile another army was raised in the south, to aid the Orissans in Sambalpur. Meanwhile, Sultan Mahmud Shah of Bengal had led his army and was sieging the capital of Orissa. Sambalpur fell in September, and the siege of Odisa was broken a month later.
On December 17th Calcutta fell, prompting great celebration among the Hindu citizens. Many joyously went and bathed and immersed themselves in the sacred river and openly worshipped the goddess Ganga, personification of the river, something the Sultan had forbidden. Devesh joined them, and got lost amid the crowds. He plunged himself under the water, and when he emerged the throngs of people had disappeared, and the sky was dark and red.
"Devesh, you have struck a great blow to our enemies."
He spun round, and saw that, floating just above the river was a most beautiful lady, holding a water vessel. He recognised her. "Lady Ganga, it has been a long time."
"Indeed. I come merely to congratulate you. The river will yet be liberated from the Muslims, from Calcutta to Delhi. Stay strong, and stay bold, and never forget that wherever you are your father Lord Vishnu walks and rides with you."
"Thank you, Lady Ganga. I shall remember that."
1441
In February the army moved north to Koch, and in March the news arrived that the Sultan of Bengal was now involved in another war with Malwa and Gujarat. Koch fell in October, and the army moved on to Howrah.
1442
The war was going very well for the Hindu allies. In November Bihar was taken by Orissa and Howrah fell to the army of Deva Raya II, and in December news arrived from the Orissans.
"The traitors! How dare they?" the Emperor fumed. Devesh sighed.
"What's the problem? It was Orissa's war to begin with, and they have made peace. Even without them, Bengal is doomed."
"Hmmph, I suppose. But I would have liked to have taken Sambalpur for Vijayanagara."
"Yes, my emperor."
1443
In January a crucial battle was won in Tirhut. In September the province fell.
1444
Bihar fell to Vijayanagar, and not long after Bengal surrenderred, giving up the provinces of Koch and Tirhut and the great centre of trade of Calcutta in the province of Ganges.
1445
And so, the Empire was once again at peace, and Devesh was pleased to return to the City of Victory. For all the brilliance of the rest of India, the City would always hold a special place in his heart. The Emperor was no longer the young lad Devesh remembered, and now sported a head of grey hair. His son, Mallikarjuna, begun to take a more prominent role in government after the conclusion of the war.
"I wonder, how old are you Devesh?"
Devesh smiled at Mallikarjuna, for he was aware that he looked little older than the young prince. "I cannot remember. But in my heart I am old."
"I see. So how can I remain young?"
"Um-" Luckily for Devesh the Emperor interrupted.
"Devesh!"
"Sorry, got to go." He left the prince, who sighed.
In May 19th news came that Malwa had declared war on Vijayanagara, thus triggering a network of alliances. In the end Gujarat joined on Malwa's side and Orissa and Jodhpur on the empire's. Malwa's army attacked and lost against Jodhpur, and and Deva Raya II's army headed for Malwa, beginning the siege in late July.
1446
The siege of Malwa was going well. However, in March it became clear that Deva Raya II was just too old to still be on campaign, and fell ill. A month later he died, and his son became the new Emperor.
Twelve days later Malwa fell, and Sultan Mahmud Khalji was forced to sign a humiliating treaty whereby Malwa would pay a yearly tribute to the City of Victory, as well as the immediate payment of 150 gold to be split between the Empire's allies.
Upon returning home Mallikarjuna was crowned as Emperor Mallikarjuna Raya.