Rise of India: A Rajputana MMP AAR

[unmerged(90806)]

well done!

Jagat Singh I is a good administrator, but as you grow bigger you might run across some adm penalty if you get a poor ADM ruler

the mughals with their persian holdings will be a difficult opponent

 

[Lord Strange]

Excellent AAR. I shall be watching. Plus ita a MMP AAR. MAking it even greater.

 

[NACBEAST]

The Rise of India: Legacy of Jodha​

Chapter 5: The Dark Decades (1487-1504)

Raja Udha Rao I after his brother Jagat's forced Exile from Rajputana, 1494​

"In all the history of Rajputana, there will never be
darker days than those of the twilight of the 15th century
and the dawn of the 16th century."

-Raja Udha Rao I

Newton's Laws tells us that for every action there must be an equal and opposite reaction, and nothing better illustrates his laws than the period of turmoil and war that tore into Rajputana during the late 1480s, 90s, and early 1500s after its explosive period of growth in the opening years of the 1450s, 60s, and 70s. What seemed like the beginning of the Rajput dominance of India quickly turned into a diplomatic nightmare in which Rajputana continuously stood at the edge of a blade, a single wrong move would have slice the throat of the nation, weaking it for decades.

Another decade draws to a close, another attempt by Vijayanagar to sieze the lands of Travanacore​

Let us first start with the opening move of Rajputana's eventual entrance to the Dark Decades. A mere few months after Jagat Singh's rise to the throne, Vijayanagar once again tried to take over Travanacore, as we remember the country was a tiny sliver of land along the West Indian Coast. Jagat Singh, seeing a prime opportunity to rip into one of Rajputana's main Indian rivals, defamed the Raja of Vijayanagar for having, once again, declared war on a peaceful neighbor, and claimed that Rajputana would come to the aid of Travanacore.

Quickly expanding the army of Rajputana from a mere 9,000 troops to 16,000 (2,000 Timariots (whom were hired from the local muslim minorities in northern Rajputana) plus 1,000 War Elephants and 4,000 Longbowmen from local regions) in order to pressure Vijayanagar out of the war against an army with superior numbers, superior training, and superior leadership. Jagat, however, would quickly find a different use for the 7,000 new soliders being trained in Rajputana.

January 4th, 1488, a mere four months after Jagat's rise to power, the nobles of Rajputana began putting forth a powerful resistance​

The nobleman of Rajputana finally erupted in anger towards the Raja. After years of signing away slaves to be conscripted into the Royal Army, large taxes on their lands to be used in wars against muslims, and finally with a supposed 'incompetent' now controlling Rajputana, the nobles of the land saw their opportunity to take back their power, and force the Raja to recognize their influence in the nation's affairs.

Raja Jagat was hardly amused​

When Jagat Singh learned that the noble rebellion was primarily being lead by Mahatma Ubik, a very influential noble from northern Rajputana, and one of the previous 'drunken regents' of his father's council, Jagat became enraged, demanding that the nobles be brought to his palace for punishment, and refused to (st)utter a word in the name of 'negotiation' and 'understanding'. Whilst the 9,000 strong royal army fought Vijayanagar in the south, the newly trained 7,000 would be busy fighting Ubik's rebels in the northern region of Thar, and around the rich trade city of Kutch.

The fighting was intense and brutal, as many slaves and lower-caste members of society gathered around Ubik with freedom and holy advancement promised to them by the corrupt noble. Eventually, however, too much blood was spilt, and Ubik found himself alone, with other smaller-house nobles, in the wake of the violence. Ubik would put up a powerful last stand in the newly aquired Rajput territory of Surat, but the effort would be in vain. In a mere six-months, Ubik's rebellion had lost steam. On July 5th, 1488, a mere six months and one day since the rebellion began, Ubik was brought to the royal palace and laid out in front of Jagat, begging for mercy. Jagat, stuttering, said he would grant him, and his fellow leaders, mercy.

He would use a clean saber to behead them.

Indian legend says that the spirit of Ubik, upon death, rose to meet the Deity Shiva, whom he convinced to reign death and hell upon Rajputana​

With the execution of Ubik, the grummbling of the nobles died down as they recognized Jagat as the Raja of the nation. Jagat Singh, feeling quite confident after his victory over the rebels, commented idly 'T-t-t-t-the wo-worst is b-b-b-b-behind us'. If only the Raja knew that, six years later, he would be forced into exile by the very nobles he had been 'victorious' against.

With the north clear of rebels, and victory against Vijayanagar seemingly assured, the 7,000 soldiers began to move in for the final blow again Vijayanagar to end the war, and hopefully, Vijayanagar's power.

"Muslim tretchery knows no bounds." - Jagat Singh upon learning about Baluchistan's declaration of war​

The surprise declaration from the Sultanate of Baluchistan caught Rajputana flat footed. A mere month after noble rebels ravaged Rajputana, and whilst Rajputana was on the verge of victory in the south, Baluchistan began invading north-west Rajputana in an attempt to topple the sensitive (and ever structure that was Rajputana, while Gujurat (an ally of Baluchistan) began trying to rekindle an invasion and occupation of Kutch. Immediately the North Rajput Army (as it was newly declared) marched back north to face Baluchistan. Without the additional back-up, once Travanacore was out of the war, the Rajput effort in the south stalled as more and more enemy soliders began to pour towards the border.

The sad part of the story was that Rajputana's situation hadn't even enterred its worst phase.

The Mughal Empire finally makes its move​

One of Rajputana's worst nightmares had been realized. With Vijayanagar in the south, Baluchistan and Gujurat to the West, and now the Mughal Empire to the north (and committing to naval invasions in the East) Rajputana was fighting a multi-front war that, if allowed to continue, would tear the country apart.

Immediately Rajputana and Vijayanagar signed a white peace, Rajputana needing all of its troops to fight off the Mughal Alliance and the Baluchistan Alliance, and Vijayanagar wishing to bide its time before its next war. Whilst the New Rajput Army marched to the north to deflect attacks from the Mughals (turning their attention eastward should a Mughal naval force land troops in former Orissan territory). The Royal Army, in the meantime, ran full steam into the armies of Baluchistan and Gujurat, clearing both countries' main fighting forces out in a matter of months (with reluctant help from Bihar).

May 2nd, 1491, a peace was signed, once again, in Kutch.

The Second Treaty of Kutch effectively turned Gujurat into a 'de-facto' Rajput territory, as they would not be able to put up any meaningful resistance to Rajputana in the future. It also granted Rajputana control of the Indus Valley

Unfortunately the additional territory only further strained what was an already an over-burdened administration​

It is said that in the great, if short-sighted, Treaty of Kutch is what began the downfall of Jagat Singh I. With so many tasks already placed upon his government, even such a well-minded and intelligent Raja would be forced to turn his eyes forward towards his kingdom, and leave none to watch his back. Over the course of the years 1491-1494 Rajputana would be busy fighting a war, whilst its Raja would be busy attempted to keep his place as leader.

Quite possibly one of Jagat's most infamous (or, modernly, famous) acts was the dismantling of the caste system, something that angered already frustrated nobles...
Peasants exactly didn't help with that anger when they used their newfound social mobility to flip the bird to conscrpitors​

In December of 1491, with his nation at war and his administrative capabilities knee-capped, Jagat decided to do something which at the time was considered durastic. Jagat officially ended the Varna, or caste system, in Rajputana, saying that it was partially because of this outdated view on human life that the muslims were so successful in their invasions in the first place.

While this can be said to be true, Jagat's true goal was two-fold: weaken the nobles by making them no longer 'in charge' of the lower castes, and end allow the government to stop worrying about whether members of their castes are staying where they are meant to be. The nobility, easily saw through the first, and didn't take into consideration the second when they began plotting Jagat's end.

The policy's initial failure would only help to spur short-term hatred of Jagat amongst the entire nobility, which would make the upcoming acts against Jagat all the easier to commit. The nobles would bide their time until November of 1493, when their trap would be sprung.

Jagat Singh I, Framed for Murder​

During the war, Jagat Singh I was trying to court the country of Gondawa into his sphere of influence. The nation, while almost the size of Vijayanagar, was very weak, and very poor, and when the Bahamanids were a power, needed help from all the Hindi powers to keep itself from being taken over. Jagat believed that if he could bring Gondawa into Rajputana's ring of alliances, he could help to prevent any further invasions of, or aggressive actions around, Rajputana. Gondawa's Raja sent the heir of the line, Prince Rao Prahtiba.

The precise events of the Prince's arrival and subsequent murder are blurry, but from what has been gathered from journals and documents Prahtiba was treated to a feast by Jagat's side as the two discussed a possible alliance in exchange for a Rajput nobleman's daughter. Prahtiba left the dining hall to rest from the long trip to Jaipur. Once in his room, he was greeted by an assassin, whom quickly sliced the boy assunder, using the saber Jagat had used upon Ubik all the way back then.

News quickly spread around the nation that Jagat had the prince of Gondawa murdered, with the intent of causing a succession crisis in Gondawa that would end with Jagat coming to the head of the throne in that regions as well. Despite his best plees, Jagat's stuttering did not amount to much on the Indian stage. Jagat then ordered an investigation into the matter, trying to prove his innocence.

Sadly, Jagat never turned his eyes to the nobles, whom he had considered defeaten a long time ago. In his efforts to place the blame on the Muslim powers, or better yet, one of his Hindi rivals, Jagat failed to prove his innocence.

Jagat was pronounced guilty of murder on the world stage​

The nobles finally had their opening for revenge. In one fell swoop the nobles arrested Jagat, dragged his family down to the docks at Kutch, and pronounced them banished from Rajputana, never to return. As Jagat's family was set aboard a ship heading towards the city of Malacca, Jagat merely made one promise to the nobles of Rajputana: "I-I sh-sh-shall, r-return."

With that, Jagat was sent off, and his older brother was brought to the throne.

Udha Rao I, already 47 when he was summoned to the capitol, was a leader with a wealth of experience​

Udha, having been Madha's younger by a slight few years, found himself thrust into a very difficult situation. With the recent damage dealt to Rajputana's reputation in India by his brother's (framed) murder, and by the years of expansion, any gains made in the war against the Mughals. The prized city sought after in the war was Delhi, something that Rajputana had been looking at ever since the initial war with the Delhi Sultanate.

So Udha had to carefully balance the diplomatic situation, lest it explode in Rajputana's face and end up sending them back a few decades. By the time Udha took the seat of power, all of the Mughal Empire's territory in northern India had been captured, and now the Rajput soldiers were merely waiting for attempts by the Mughals to land forces on their coasts. Unbeknownst to Rajputana, the Mughal army was busy in their Persian possessions, the stress of war having sparked mass rebellions at home which were draining the empire.

So, a stalemate occured. While Udha was busy repairing diplomatic ties between Rajputana and other nations, in an attempt to be able to properly capture Delhi, the Mughals were trying their hardest not to lose Persia. This stalemate would not be broken before the end of the war, however Rajputana's troops would be given a new exercise in warfare by a familiar enemy.

Mysore had, thankfully, not used Jagat's 'murder' as a reason to seperate from Rajputana. Unfortunately, Vijayanagar didn't seem to understand this.​

Vijayanagar had taken enough of its time. The nation had rebuilt its armed forces, and were now ready to take on Rajputana and Mysore. They were half right. While Rajput forces began moving south, confient the Mughal's couldn't muster a naval invasion force, Vijayanagar steamrolled Mysorian territory, the main army of Mysore barely escaping before the entire country was under Vijayanagar occupation.

When the armies arrived the Vijayanagarian troops rose to meet Rajputana. A series of pitched battles occured, each one's loss of life being limited: so much so that there was actually more killed by the terrain than there was by the actual fighting. The most important of these battles was the Battle of Konkan, in which Rajputana won a sounding victory, and allowing them to eventually route the Vijayanagar troops.

The Battle of Konkan would illustrate just what an advantage superior troops and generals can have compared to large armies.​

Whilst fighting in Vijayanagar heated up, the war with the Mughal Empire began to wind down.

Some historians say that Udha was a God-send to Rajputana, as his diplomatic skills would allow him to barely avoid an international crisis, while also allowing Rajputana to claim Delhi without the need for a peace treaty

The eventual treaty would give the appearance that the Mughal Empire got off scot-free, though events in Persia would change that​

It would seem odd that the Mughal Empire would allow one of the most ric hand populous cities in its lands get away from them and into the hands of the Indians without so much as a fight. After all, the Mughals had called themselves the 'legacy of the Mongolians', they couldn't very well let some Indians push them around.

Fortunately for Udha, the Mughals were not in the position to be worrying about India, as their Persian situation was beginning to spin completely out of control. Persian rebels had taken all of the Empire's territory that was a part of 'Persia', and were now threatening the very capitol of the Empire. Unfortunately for the Persians, they didn't get an opportunity, as a Civil War suddenly broke out in the Mughal Empire, the 'new Khan' quickly establishing himself as leader as the old one quickly perished during a raid on the palace. Coincidentally, this gave the Persians the opportunity to declare independence, while the Mughals would be busy repairing their state.

The Collapse of the Mughal Empire didn't bring independence to its Indian Possessions, but in the future it would make it all the easier to take them.​

The war down south continued as Rajput troops broke through the frontlines and reached Mysore's territory. However, multiple years of occupation had worn the nation out, so much so that it would require help.

Udha's assistance to Mysore would help improve his reputatin down in the small land, something that would hopefully make integrating Mysore into Rajputana a real possibility.​

One year later and Vijayanagar was on its heals. With Mysore unoccupied and able to produce troops to help booster the Rajput Alliance's numbers, VIjayanagarian cities were falling one by one, until in 1494 when Vijayanagar would be forced to agree to a peace that would rip a good chunk of their territory from them in the form of the free state of Bijapur, a nation who would be a close ally of Rajputana.

The end of the war brought a new, albeit small, ally to Rajputana's side​

With the end of this war, Rajputana was once again at peace. Udha was hopeful that he could begin to use this time to repair his nation's wounds, both diplomatic and administrative. However, who knows if the 'Dark Decades' would be over yet... in Rajputana's history, one could never be sure whether war was close, or far away.

State of India Post-War​

 

[Nodscouterr]

That was a close one. It can be really hard when you have a huuuge empire and WE is 24.

 

[Lord Strange]

Fear Ubik! Fear him! And FRAMED!

 

[NACBEAST]

The Rise of India: Legacy of Jodha


Chapter 6: Reconstruction (1504-1520)

Jaya Singh I - The Reformer (1520-1557)​

Rajputana would survive the Dark Decades, however it would come out of them rather weak and, though ahead in the race for Indian dominance, would find technological advancement to be quite unsettling. The nation's exhaustion with war and its notoreity abroad had weakened the economic performance and impeded any active diplomatic action the nation would take for quite some time.

This new peaceful period in Rajputana would be broken up into two periods: 'The Reconstruction Period' and 'The Reform Period'. As the fifty one years following the year 1453 could be noted as an era of outlooking and outward development, these fifty three years would be introspective, and sought to fix the problems that had developed during the outward years.

The reforms would come in two waves, each wave under a different ruler.

Udha Rao's Social Reforms​

Udha Rao, after the 'Dark Decades', was a man still heavily ambitous and geared towards guiding Rajputana along as the head of government. Though Udha's reforms would not be nearly as instrumental in Rajputana's glorious rise in the later half of the 16th Century as his own son's, Udha's last years proved to be quite important in dealing with matters of the realm of Mysore and individual rights of citizens.

Mysore's priveleges were secure, mostly thanks to the blights that had corned Rajputana, such as rebellions and still tense diplomatic situations​

The little Princely State of Mysore was quite probably the least of Rajputana's worries during this era. With its citizens in near-constant revolt over the wars, and seemingly every single nation holding a dagger to Rajputana's back, ready to stab it repeatedly, Udha Rao held very little concern over the decisions made about Mysore.

It was quite the surprise to everyone when Mysore agreed to allow Rajputana to rule over Mysore after the alleged murder committed by Jagat Singh I, as many had expected the diplomatic explosion would result in Mysore simply designating a new Royal Line for their country. However, two years after the wars ended, Mysore finally showed its true colors and came to Udha Rao with demands.

The demand was simple: on top of the Royal governance that Udha Rao already provided in Mysore, the territory was to be allowed an 'Estate of the Realm' that could affirm or deny certain royal decrees involving the territory (these decrees mainly dealing with taxes and war).

To Udha Rao, this was actually a stroke of luck. Indeed, the idea of an additional board of men taking responsibilities away from the central powers of Rajputana, in a way lifting the burdon of governance from the shoulders of the Raja, would be a great step in helping to alleviate the cumbersome weight that Rajputana currently held. Udha Rao signed the 'Mysore Estates' into law, however it would be his son who would expand upon this, and apply 'The Estates' to the entirety of Rajputana.

When it came to religion, Udha Rao was a mixed bag: while he decried heresy and sought to convert heathens, he also banned ancient practices of Hinduism​

It was around the beginning of Udha's rule that the Sikh faith began to rise to prominence in northern Rajputana. Now, Udha Rao had nothing truly substanitive to be against the Guru on: many of the criticisms of Hinduism made by the Guru were well received by both Jagat and Udha, who banned the caste system and Sati practice all-together (much to the dismay of the upper-class and religious leaders of Hinduism).

However, what Udha did see in the Guru was the threat towards religious homogeneity that he was attempting to build in Rajputana. Indeed, conversion efforts in the Indus Valley were going splendedly... if expensively. Another nail in the coffin for the Sikh religion in Rajputana was that, while the sect was non-violent, many Rajput nobles feared that the new religion would seek to force Hinduism from North-West India, as Islam had tried to just decades ago. So, for Udha, the path was clear: he would give no support, and would vocally decry the Guru. Sadly, Udha's policy would push the religious tolerance of Rajputana down the road for many decades: which made contact with the Portuguese, who had arrived in India a mere two years prior to 1512, much harder, and would require much more time.

It would take Rajputana until the later half of the 16th Century to be ready to fully embrace whatever knowledge and goods the Christian Portuguese would bring to India

'Reconstruction'​

War was fought by Rajputana
War was brought to Rajputana: and now,
War must be cleansed from Rajputana

-Raja Udha Rao I

It was easily seen that Rajputana had been ravaged by the fifty-some odd years of near constant war-fare the country had itself involved with. Navy's would blockade the coastline, ravaging merchant ships and damaging docks, armies would march across Rajput terrain, destorying farms and villages in their wake, and young men would be conscripted from cities in order to fight, and quite possibly die, in the armies of Rajputana.

Udha, while no pacifist, was a realist. The Raja could see that his nation was no longer in the correct shape for war, and that continued fighting could only help to weaken, and quite possibly, break Rajputana. So, for his reign, Udha instated a 'policy of non-aggression': the policy stated that Rajputana, under any circumstances, would not involve itself in the wars of other Indian nations, however it would keep its 16,000 army up and running in order to deter possible attacks and to deal with rebellions.

Despite criticism at the time, Udha's policy would work. From 1504-1557 (his sone, Jaya, would also take up the non-aggression policy) Rajputana was not dragged into, nor was it forced to, fight any wars. During this time Rajputana would consolidate its gains, and slowly recover from the multiple wounds it had taken over the decades.

Bijapur, recently released from Vijayanagar, seemed all too willing to dive right back into the jaws of its former masters. Despite the help it would receive from Gondawa (wjom would betray the Bahaminids, and then attack Vijayanagar), Bijapur would not only have to sell Goa to the Portuguese in order to pay for the war, they would also be vassalized by Vijayanagar, and reabsored into its territory two decades later​

Rajputana's first practice in its non-aggression policy would be played out in the 'War of Bijapur Aggression', where the recently released country would attempt to receive revenge on its earliest masters, the Bahaminids (a wasteful move, as the old Sultans of the Bahaminids had long since been overthrown, and replaced with Hindi leaders).

Despite depending on Rajput involvement in the conflict to survive, Rajputana outright refused to join in on the war, leading to the outright defeat of Bijapur. Udha sent his apologies to the leader of the small nation, but no more, no less.

Reconstruction's fruits begin to ripen​

Over the course of the decade, Rajputana would slowly but surely see itself recover from the Dark Decades. The diplomatic efforts made by Udha were a success, as Rajput diplomats and nobles were once again welcome at the foreign courts of Hindi nations. The sudden drop in respite for Rajputana also helped spur a surge in trade, one that would help hasten along the economic development of Rajputana (development that would be slowed by economic stagnation, mostly resulting from the government's shere weight, and the inflation of Rajput currency). Despite this things appeared to be going on track for Rajputana.

The rise of Jaya Singh I, The Reformer​

Udha would die in the Royal Palace in Jaipur, where a serious fall down the stone steps would break the old Raja's neck. The accident, while tragic, would result in the coronation of Jaya Singh I, the first of Jodha's grand-children to ascend to the throne, which would help to set up a stable succession-line of Rajas for years to come.

Jaya Singh would go down in history as the man who helped Rajputana rise from its backwardness, help Rajputana open up to the Portuguese, and would help modernize the Rajput government. It would be his reign that would start off the 'Reform Years', and what glorious years they would be.

 

[Milites]

Can't say that I'm pleased I only just discovered this great piece of an AAR!
Hard times for the Raj, but you seem to be taken it in a stride, which is more than I can say I do when being beaten around by MMP XD

Finally I'd just like to add that you will earn my great admiration if you ever find a way to included the Maharaja of Gaipajama

 

[unmerged(514)]

You executed Ubik, he Framed you!

 

[unmerged(10971)]

Whew. You've come a long way... how long will this consolidation period last?

 

[NACBEAST]

The Rise of India: Legacy of Jodha


Chapter 7: Reform (1520-1557)

Madhu Singh Paramaras, one of the most famouse and controversial figures of the 16th Century​

Many scholars today argue the true beginning of India's 'Reform Period', as there are many reasonable dates to use as its start. Some argue that the date would be the day of Udha Rao's death, and Jaya Singh's rapid induction to the throne. As Jaya Singh is the man most commonly associated with 'guiding' the reform period, this date, July 27th, 1520, is most commonly used.

In recent months, however, others have agued that another powerful figure in the Rajput government was more responsible for the reforms that came about during this era, and therefore the proper date was his induction into Jaya's government. Madhu Singh Paramaras, who would begin his life as a lowly merchant, built up quite the trade powerhouse in the form of the 'Paramaras Trade Company' (which would later become the 'India Tea Trade Company') before being added onto Jaya's cabinet. Some historians theorize, based upon letters going back and forth between Jaya and Paramaras, that the 'Trade Overseer', had a much larger role in the government than what his title entailed.

However, we get far too far ahead of ourselves. Let us first recount the initial acts of Jaya Singh, and what lead him to the hiring of Paramaras.

Jaya's Opening Years

The initial problems that struck Jaya's reign​

The deteriorating condition of the Rajputanan government to control its territory fully was collapsing still, as the burden of governance and the loss of talent begin to break the back of Rajputana. This was not helped by Jaya's own fondness for horses, the young Raja purchasing many, many 'pet' horses for his palace around this time, using funds from the royal treasury to do so.

Now, Jaya wasn't the first Raja to have bought horses in extreme amounts, from Jodha to Udha Rao each Raj of Rajputana has kept at least one personal horse in the palace for hunting trips or personal travel. Jaya, records say, had purchased one-hundred fifty four horses in just the first decade of his reign: the next twenty seven years would see over five-hundred horses having taken up residence in the royal palace at one time or another. Needless to say this would be a detrimental cost to the government.

The Indus Valley is Hindi once more​

Though the 'horse budget' for the government might have gone up, government subsidation of missionaries in the Indus Valley, or the province of Sind, would no longer be needed. Not only had a majority of the populace converted to Hinduism, but the remaining muslim population was so small that local town religious leaders could handle the remaining conversion needs.

The Trade Deal with Mysore: the catalyst that started it all​

In 1522, seeking to lessen pressure on merchants, and to create better relations with Mysore, Jaya Singh signed a Mysorian proposed trade deal that set a few new guidlines involing Mysore trade in Kutch, mainly the fact that Rajput merchants and Mysorian merchants could no longer trade against each other.

The deal was fine and good, however it created a need for additional administrative oversite to insure that the articles of the deal were being upheld by merchants from both parties. This would suggest that Jaya would put a rush on trying to hire someone to fill this position, which in fairness he did: it only took him about six years to hire someone to fill the position, along with other duties of the government.

The sarcasm would be more biting, if it weren't for the fact that the person he hired would be an amazingly influential person in the government, and would help to shape many of the reforms that helped put Rajputana back on track.

As we can see, the Paramaras family held sway (if minor) since the end of Udha Rao's reign with Madhu's father, Ratan, as a cabinet member​

Running a country as large as this is hard work for
the lowly imperial clients and workers you have trying
to properly collect taxes, run the town guards, and
manage military operations: if you want to succeed
and not be left as a stain in Rajputana's history, which
I shall assume you do not, then allow me to give some
ideas on a new system which will be assured to help this
nation, and your standing in its history.

Madhu Singh Paramaras in a letter to Jaya Singh I- May 15th, 1529

Madhu Singh Paramaras and the Shadow Government?​

It is at this point in history that many historians begin to argue who, precisely, was in control of the government in Jaipur? It is true that all the documents going in and out of the city were signed with Jaya's named, or had the royal seal emblazened upon them, and the day to day operations were ran by clerks and members of the court Jaya would hire: but was Jaya being guided along by Paramaras, is what many ask?

Indeed, there has been a rather strong case made in facor of this theory: for starters Jaya himself, while able to speak with quite the silver tongue, was not terribly skilled in matters of administration. Also we can judge by his rather... improper use of the royal treasury to purchase his many horses that he was more than prone to waste and negligence himself. His inability to even hire someone to help look after the Mysorian trade agreement for six years shows an appaling lack of urgency when it came to the very matters he was supposed to be in control of.

This would suddenly change after 1528. Suddenly Jaya would be holding more and more cabinet members, decisions on positions and policy matters would be made more and more quickly, and Jaya himself would be seen busying himself with the matters on government... and was commonly seen with Paramaras somewhere nearby. If the man was not physically within reach of Jaya, letters would be sent to the Raja every few days. Though no historian can say with absolute certainty, it is calculated that from 1528-1557 that Madhu Paramaras would have sent 5,000 letters to the royal palace.

Though more arguements in favor of this theory of shadow government would appear in the future (especially with the rather bloody end to Maharaja Madhu Singh II's reign), some just shrug their shoulders and say so what. So what if Madhu Paramaras was actually in control of the government at the time, it brought about reforms and practices needed to keep Rajputana from falling into the wastebin of history, and in all reality its hard to argue against this.

Too properly understand why this stance would be taken, let us take a look at the Reforms that took place during the 'Reform Period'.

The Reform Period

It would seem as though every Raja would be involved in some sort of reform of how Mysore would govern itself and be governed. What surprised many was that Rajputana was willing to let this go by, despite the Timurids finally establishing a border with Rajputana​

What started off as, seemingly, the solution to the Timurid problem quickly became a nightmare. Earlier in the year 1529, the Timurid Empire quickly became embroiled in a series of wars that would surround itself with enemies (except on its western borders, where Persia would not participate). To the north the nation of Kazakh, to the east, the tiny Sultanate of Kashmir, to the south the Shahdom of Baluchistan. The Timurid armies were large, however, it was hoped in Rajputana that they wouldn't be large enough, and that after years of protracted war Persia would eventually jump in to claim territory in the Timurid Empire that rightfully belonged to it.

The war was over within the year, with the Timurid Empire making even more substantial gains, one of them being a border with Rajputana via the Indus Valley. There was a small panic in Rajputana as Jaya immediately ordered one of the armies to station themselves in Sind, in case of a Timurid invasion. Despite this, however, the Mysorian Estates sent a law up to Jaya, basically saying that Mysorian soldiers and citizens would not be conscripted into the Rajput army, now and forever. Despite what some in Rajputana would call a desperate need for soldiers and manpower, Jaya set his seal upon the law. Why? With over 30,000 young men already available to be conscripted into the army, the small amount of troops the two regions of Mysore could provide were laughable, and nothing worth straining the union over.

Argueably the very reason The Reform Period garnered its name: The Establishment of the Rajput Estates​

1531 would be a year worth remembering in Rajputana history as The Rajput Estates were established so many years after the initial inspiration from the Mysorian Estates. In the days and weeks preceding the new reform, personal meetings between Jaya Singh and Paramaras increased in frequency, many times the two men would meet several times a day, and always behind locked doors.

It is widely assumed that the topic of conversation that would dominate these meetings was the establishment of the Estates on a country-wide scale. Despite the secrecy of its establishment, the Rajput Estates turned out to be a smashing success, so much so that the modern Indian Parliament has many of its practices dating all the way back to the Rajput Estates, though many changes have been made since the old system:

'The Rule of the Land':
Yellow Represents Areas who's administration is dominated by the Raja
Red Represents Areas who's administration is dominated by the Estates
Orange Represents Area who's administration is shared equally between the two​

The initial design of the Rajput Estates was to be a 100 member council whom would be lead by an 'Estate General', the first of which would be Madhu Paramaras. These councilmen would lead over the large scale operations of the regions they either had complete control of or shared power with the Raja, while professionals they hired to do the day to day operations would be seated in each of the regions.

The sharing of power between the two parties was rather simple. The Raja, in this time Jaya Singh I, would have complete control of Rajputana Proper, the Estates would have complete control over 'major trade cities, territories of economic consequence, high populace territories, provinces of religious concern, and far-flung provinces'.

What sounded like broad powers were actually very limited: the only major city of trade in Rajputana was Kutch, only the two provinces gained from Orissa during the Mysore Succession War could be counted as 'far flung', the only territory of religious concern was Sind, which had only recently been converted, the only high populace city, at least higher than other regions, was Delhi, and the only territory if completely lost that would devastate the economy was Khandesh, with its grand mineral mines that helped to keep Rajput currency afloat.

Of course, then there were the regions where powers were shared by the Estates and by the Raja which, by a wide margin, made up the majority of Rajputana: often times which powers were shared were mixed. Sometimes the Raja would be in control of recruitment for the army, while the Estates were in charge of taxes and the night watch, and in other territories it could be the other way around.

The new Estates helped Rajputana in breaking away from the administrative muck that had so deeply troubled the past administrations: and helped to lead it into new questions about the outside world.

Some say that it was the oiling of Rajputana's administrative wheels that broke the dam when it came to the border: with the Estates and the Raja finally having enough focus in order to deal with the important question of what to do with the foreign Europeans whom were making their way to India.​

You could say that the Rajput Estates brought about the best of times, and worst of times. On one hand, the administrative malaise that had for so long plagued Rajputana was all but gone: the remaining effects being so small in comparison to the previous troubles that the level became tolerable. However, on the otherhand, it brought forth the issue of the borders, and what to do with the Portuguese merchants that were making their way to Kutch, and the Portuguese diplomats who wanted to make their way into Jaipur.

Jaya Singh I was actually very much for opening the borders, something he shared with Madha Paramaras. Both men were fluent in Portuguese, Jaya through diplomatic talks with the Protuguese in Goa, and Paramaras through trade relations his company had established with merchants arriving in Kutch. For Paramaras, the idea of trading with the Portuguese, gaining not only goods but advanced weaponry, such as Europeans muskets, was too good to pass up. Jaya, on the otherhand, believed that allowing the Europeans into Rajputana would help spark a wave of innovation in his country, and help it arise, one and for all, out of the darkness.

Both men realized that this would cause a fair amount of stir in Rajputana, however, in the words of Jaya 'the ends justify the means'.

Jaya Singh, when it came to religious matters, was far more tricky than his predecessors. When he first tried to open the borders he bought the support of the 'high caste' religious leaders to help create some sense of stability. When Rajputana was once again stabalized, he immediately followed the course of his fathers, and pulled the rug out from under the same leaders​

As time went by Rajputana re-stabalized. Jaya Singh played no small role in this, as it was his cunning and his charisma that temporarily gained the support of religious leaders, only to toss them under the chariot when he did not require their help anymore. This would cause a lack of trust in Jaya to form, however, it was for the good of the Princely State overall.

The reputation of Rajputana is restored, its people no longer bitter over war... in fact, in time, the jingoistic spirit began to return to Rajputana​

After years of dutiful rest and recooperation, Rajputana had completely recovered from the Dark Decades, and was running at full capacity. However, this was not entirely an excellent thing, at least to Jaya who had taken up the non-aggression policy. Peace and quiet had made Rajputana's military muscles slacken, and the people were beginning to feel restless. Many religious leaders sought the conquest of Allahabad from Bihar, as a way for Jaya to 'repent' for having so greatly conned them earlier in his reign.

Jaya insisted upon further reforms to Rajput society in order to try and hold back the aggressive feelings of the citizens​

You could say that Jaya's next move was a very desperate, and potentially dangerous move. In order to keep his country 'at peace', he threw it into the turn tables of societal reform once again. It had only been seven years since the last wave of reform hit, and in the minds of many, Jaya's move was not only against the will of the citizenry, but also a move that proved Jaya to be out of his mind. Even Paramaras, who had long stood beside Jaya's reforms (or orchestrated them), could not believe the shere amount of gall the Raja had in making such a move.

Jaya's case for peace was not helped by the Timurid Empire fracture​

Only eight years ago had the Timurid Empire once again fracture: this time in peace. The two ruling halves of the disjointed empire spoke of 'living up to Timur's dream' and broke the nation in two...

Needless to say, after eight years, the leader of New Transaxonia was killed, the 3rd Timurid Empire established, and an invasion of its other half well on the way. To many people in Rajputana, this was a golden opportunity. Rajputana could strike for Allahabad, and take the land that rightfully belongs to Rajputana, without worry of the Timurids attempted to stab them in the back.

Jaya, however, stood firm in his opposition to war, and would not attack Bihar...

The Rise of Madhu Singh II - The Conqueror (or The Liberator)​

Jaya Singh died two years after the fighting in Central Asia began, and his son, Madhu Singh II, was not as weak willed as his father when it came to war.

 

[Davisx3m]

Awesome!

 

[Lord Strange]

Very good so good in fact that you are the latest recipient of the Lord Strange Cookie of British Awesomeness ●
This reward can now be placed in your sig to prove you AAR writing skills are of a high level.

 

[unmerged(10971)]

Nice court So Rajput is opening up... hopefully that doesn't come back to bite you.

 

[unmerged(90806)]

those adm penalties are such a burden, such a pain
modernising comes at a cost too

with the new Raja i foresee a great change in policy; although surprisingly he doesn't appear to be particularly skilled in th emilitary department

 

[NACBEAST]

The Rise of India: Legacy of Jodha


Chapter 8: The Rise of The Maharaja (1557-1572)

Madhu Singh II - First Maharaja of Rajputana​

Madhu Singh II was a man whom modern psychologists would describe as having 'delusions of grandure', more so than many other monarchs of Rajputana. Almost all paintings of Madhu II (such as the one seen above) would have him portrayed in the move illustrious and expensive jewels the mines of Khandesh could buy, with the finest silk made within the Princely State. His pride was not merely contained with flamboyant fashion, however, as Madhu was one of the first leaders of India (and, in fact, of much of the world) to use national identity, and not religion, as a cause for the nation-state to get behind.

Madhu Singh II would proudly state how much better Rajputana was than any of the other Indian states, and how it was written in the stars that what had been a tiny nation, would be the one to dominate the entire sub-continent. This, naturally, put many of the still existing Indian states at unease, as they began distancing themselves from the newly aggressive Rajputana.

Of course, the great irony of Madhu Singh II was that, by his talent, he was a man more suited for a rule of peace and tranquility, not a rule of war. Yet it is not without reason that one of Madhu's titles is that of the 'conquerer', and it shall be the first title we examine fully.

Madhu Singh II - The Conqueror

Despite his solider-fantasies, Madhu Singh managed to eliminate the waste that had stuck with Rajputana for decades
Of course, his revitalized administration would also manage to eventually locate a small oversight in the map, from Gondwana's conquest of the Bahaminids​

Madhu Singh II was the first Rajput monarch to successfully claim that his country's administrative abilities were able to cover all aspects of the nation's functions since all the way back to the Madhu Singh I, Madhu II successfuly using not only his own intellect, but also the close advice of Madhu Singh Paramaras (whom was still the head of the Estates at the time) and the help of many well trained and well learned clerks whom he added to the imperial workforce.

Of course, this once again lead to a reworking of the maps, and a sudden discovery. Imperial clerks, when working out the south-eastern border of Rajputana, discovered that the nation of Gondawa, in having taken provinces from the former Bahaminid Sultanate (including the territory of Nagpur) had overstepped their bounds, and 'conquered' Rajput territory.

When Gondawa refused to cede the territories to Rajputana, Madhu Singh II carefully slipped the documentation away for later use: after all, he had bigger, richer fish to fry first.

Madhu Singh II claims the title of Maharaja of Rajputana... and north India​

Mahdu Singh began making his move towards greatness starting in 1560, when on the 16th of May he proclaimed himself 'Madhu Singh II: Maharaja of Rajputana and North India, and Raja of Mysore'. With this statement he made it clear to the other nations surrounding Rajputana that his would be a rule dedicated to the claiming of 'rightful territory', and just from the tone, the entirety of north India.

The first reaction of many leaders in India was to merely scoff and laugh off Madhu Singh's change of title. After all, Rajputana may be large territorially, however it had no navy (making it easy for the other powers to blockade the rich ports of Kutch), and its army was 16,000 weak, making it, effectively, the smallest army in India proper; even Bihar's mercenary pools were larger than Rajputana's standing army.

Raja Madhu Singh II could proclaim himself
'The Maharaja of Gaipajama', and this would
change little the fact that he has neither the
proper navy to watch such a country's coasts,
nor an army to properly defend it from invading forces.

A Vijayanagarian Diplomat upon receiving news of Madhu Singh's proclaimation- July 2nd, 1560

Of note, it is worth mentioning that the insult of 'Maharaja of Gaipajama' stuck quite painfully to the subsequent leaders of Rajputana (later India), used not only by persons in the Far East, but eventually picked up by European leaders late in the 18th Century, and would be continuously used until the early 20th Century, where French cartoonist Ace Miletes used the title to insult (or, satirize if you were French) the leader of the Indian Raaj, Samraat Jaya Singh VIII.

One of Miletes' cartoons (Published 1932), portraying Jaya Singh VIII as a filthy fakir readying to strike at a French colonist from French Indochina*

The Rajputni-Bihari War

Mahdu Singh II would not take the insults lightly​

Mahdu Singh was not a man to take such an insult to his newly obtained title, and was sure to make a significant strike back at the other Indian nations for their belittling of the rightful title of the leader of Rajputana. The first move for Madhu Singh was to begin training more soldiers with muskets, almost immediately displacing bows, and greatly relieving Pikemen from the army in a matter of months. In the same period of time, Madhu Singh II doubled the size of the army from 16,000 to 32,000, hiring two new generals of great skill in order to help lead the individual forces: two armies of 9,000 and two armies of 7,000

The interesting fact about this period of re-armament in Rajputana was the model of the muskets: they were not made in India, instead, Madhu Singh used his newly opened trade borders to garner Portuguese muskets in exchange for a large amount of rubies, tea, and various other trade goods the continent had to offer.

This small trade would help give Rajputana the edge it would require in the upcoming war.

The Rajpuni-Bihari War began on October the 14th... less than one month later, Orissa caved into a white peace, Rajputana not even having to march a single soldier into their territory​

The Rajpuni-Bihari War began in October as the Rajput army split into two groups of 16,000 troops (which were sub-divided into groups of 9,000 and 7,000), the two groups of 16,000 sent to Bihar and Vijayanagar respectively. Orissa's backing out of the war was seen as a plus for Madhu Singh II, as it immediately closed off the eastern front to all but the 'important' provinces of the war; Oudh and Allahabad. One province had been nationally recognized as 'possibly' belonging to Rajputana since Madhu Singh, and Allahabad had been a recent territory that many persons in Rajputana felt should rightfully belong to the nation that could protect it best (ie Rajputana).

The war in the north started off well, the 16,000 troops successfully moving through the mountainous regions to beginning to peck away at the keep networks surrounding the two region's capitols (with the main Bihari mercenary force distracted by rebellions occuring in recently obtained Assamese territory. Sadly, the war in the south was not nearly as successful an endeavor. Mysore was completely overwhelmed by Vijayanagarian troops within a matter of months, and the border between Rajputana and Vijayanagar had become a blood bath, as thousands upon thousands of both nations' young men were killed in back and forth battles between the borders.

The new style of warfare was strange for all parties involved. No major war had occured in India in which Indian soldiers were wielding the unseemly firearms. General Udha Rao Singh of Rajputana was quoted after a particularly fierce battle with Biharian mercenaries that 'I would've faired much better, had I known exactly how to instruct my troops on how to use these damnable thngs.' Indeed, it would be many years before Rajputana would eventually use this new style of warfare to impose its will upon the subcontinent, for now, the armies were reduced to, for lack of a better set of words, toddlers just learning how to walk.

Rajputana's victory brought new territory and grand wealth to Rajputana, wealth that would be used to not only construct minor workshops to help construct muskets for the troops, but also help construct the first Rajputanan Royal Navy

After several fruitless months of warfare in the south, Rajputana and Vijayanagar call a truce, ending what was perhaps the bloodiest series of battles that the subcontinent had seen​

The end treaties of the Rajputni-Bihari war were sweet as well as bitter. In its treaty with Bihar at Allahabad, Rajputana managed to sweep the two desired territories from Bihar, along with the entirety of Bihar's national treasury, which greatly enriched Rajputana.

On the otherhand, the war on the southern portion of India ended in a bloody stalemate, with neither Rajputana nor Vijayanagar gaining a clear upperhand. Madhu Singh II probably put it best that when he said 'winning war without beating Vijayanagar will only extend the questions of our leadership in India beyond when they should be answered.

It would not be long, however, before Rajputana would answer these questions. However, they would first have to answer questions pertaining to their subject state, Mysore.

Madhu Singh II - The Liberator

The question of Serfdom helped to establish Madhu II's second title, that of the Liberator, as the peasentry of Mysore were grateful to the man for their freedom... sadly, they were not the ones 'in charge' of Mysore​

The 'Mysorian Noble Rebellion' as it is often remembered as in history was a large revolt that occured in the Princely State of Mysore, where Madhu II was the Raja. After the war with Bihar, Madhu sought to create favor for Rajputana amongst the Mysorian serfs by granting them their freedom. While this move was received quite well by the serfs, the nobles who had been in control of the Estates of Mysore were outraged at the 'intrusion upon their rights', a position (or, at least, a fear) shared by Madhu Singh Paramaras back home, who would fear Madhu II encroaching upon the Rajput Estates affairs.

Unaware of Paramaras' fear, Madhu II did not take kindly to the nobles' rebellion, and used the new Rajput Royal Navy to transfer troops down to Mysore: 2,000 men at a time (at the time, ships could only be constructed in a few ports thanks to damages done during a Vijayanagarian blockade, leaving Rajputana without many transport ships for a time).

Rebellion Crushed in Defeat

After three years of constant fighting, the noble rebels were quickly crushed and tossed aside, Mysore falling back into peace immediately afterwards. Madhu II was successful in gaining the favor of the peasantry of Mysore, who would more than likely make him the leader for life if they could... though, Madhu II forgot that it was the nobles who made this decision, and the 'affront' to their authority would prove costly down the line.

Maharaja Stabbed to Death ​

Though, the decision to so flagrantly impede upon an Estate's rights had short term consequences for Madhu II. While nothing can be confirmed, it is widly speculated that Paramaras, fearful that Madhu II would impede on the powers of the Rajput Estates as he did the Mysorian Estates, had the Maharaja assassinated (the stab wounds found marring his corpse would seem to favor this).

Despite the unusual nature of Madhu II's death, his son, Bhima I, who had served as a corporal in the Rajput Army in the Bihar campaign mere years ago, would continue his work of 'dominating India'.

 

[Beamed]

The worst part of this AAR was when I couldn't scroll down and read more of an update anymore.

 

[enkhuush]

The worst part of this AAR was when I couldn't scroll down and read more of an update anymore.

I agree with you.

 

[blsteen]

as it was his cunning and his charisma that temporarily gained the support of religious leaders, only to toss them under the chariot when he did not require their help anymore
I laughed and laughed when I read that, great job!

 

[Davisx3m]

Yeah tintin!

 

[NACBEAST]

The Rise of India: Legacy of Jodha


Chapter 9: Bhima's Conquests (1572-1581)

Maharaja Bhima I - The Warrior​

Maharaga Bhima I was the first of the long line of Raja since Jodha the first to have such a keen understanding of the military, yet have little to no skill when it came to the administrative jobs that had been expected of the Maharaja. Serving as a corporal in the Rajputni-Bihari War, and then following up as a Lieutenant General during the Mysorian Noble Rebellion, Bhima's martial prowess was unquestioned against any of his (few) siblings, and it was currying the favor of the troops he helped lead (along with promising, during his reign, to allow the Estates more control in administrative manners) that pushed him into the Rajput Throne.

Bhima I would be the first of Jodha's descendants to be granted the title 'Warrior', in honor of the old Raja: and Bhima I, in his time, would most definitely earn his title. As a man more inclined to the military than the administration, Bhima's great achievements would be along the lines of increasing Rajputana's martial status: through warfare to keep the troops well oiled, and new martial reforms to help bring about more skilled generals.

Bhima I would try to close the divide between Sikh and Hindu faiths, sadly he would be the last of the few leaders of Rajputana to try to​

Bhima I was hardly a religious man; his hatred for the Muslims in Central Asia stemmed not from their religion, but from the constant threat they posed to his state. As such, Bhima I, when it came to non-violent religions, was quite tolerable, creating a favorable environment for the Sikh faith, long persecuted by Bhima's ancestors. Bhima himself personally invited the Guru of the Sikh faith at the time to the royal palace to share a cup of Rajput tea.

Sadly, this course of tolerance would not continue past Bhima I, a fact that was punctuated by later policies of both the leaders of Rajputana and the Gurus of the Sikh faith.

The Rajputni-Gondwanese War

As war preperations begin, Bhima's dropping of administrative duties onto the Estates, while exciting for Paramaras, did little to help the efficiency of the county
Despite this, his key reform of the military, the institution of battlefield commisions, helped to increase the effective nature of the army and its generals​

War preperations for the next phase in the Rajputana's long-term campaign to conquer the whole of India were far more concentrated that even Madhu Singh II's. While Bhima did not increase the size of the army, he did institute reforms in order to increase the effectiveness of the troops, and skills of the generals, and the organization of the army.

His main way of accomplishing this was through battlefield commissions. This transformed the recruitment for both generals and soldiers. For generals, the commissions were focused far more on soldiers whom had fought in previous wars, rather than nobles who paid the highest amount. For soliders, when coupled with the national policy of conscription, targets for recruitment were primarily sons from military families, whilst ordinary citizens were made secondary for recruitment.

This reform immensely upgraded the abilities of the Rajputanan military: with soldiers whom had been around family members familiar with war, and generals whom had fought in previous wars, Bhima was quite certain that Rajput troops would continue to be the superior men on the field of battle, a theory that would be tested in the upcoming war (this would also mark the beginning of Rajputana's focus on the quality of the troops, versus their numbers).

Of course, not everything about these reforms were positive. The added work needed to seperate 'military and non-military citizens', plus Bhima's own lack of skill in administrative manners, helped to contribute to a strained Rajput Estates. This would eventually be fixed, however, for now the country would once again have to suffer from the slowed bureaucracy.

'The War of Rajput Domination'​

The Rajputni-Gondwanese was the name used in the official documentation of the era, as it was, indeed, a conflict primarily between Rajputana and Gondwana over disputed territory that Rajputana claimed. However, when Vijayanagar stuck its nose into the war via its alliance with Gondwana, that's when the name of the war would be remembered differently in future Indian textbooks.

The war would be completely destructive for Vijayanagar, destroying its army and splitting the country into multiple pieces, thereby ridding Rajputana of its last viable threat to Indian dominance. Of course, we get ahead of ourselves, let us first describe the events that preceded the end of the war.

In a quick series of victories that could only be described as the Blitzkrieg of its time, Bhima I quickly led the armies of Rajputana across the Gonwanese border, occupying the disputed provinces, before leaving Gondwana to its fate​

Though it took a year for Rajputana to force Gondwana to the negotiation table, Gondwana's part in the war had been over for months. Bhima I, in a show of military brilliance, stampeded 27,000 troops (9,000 were down south, holding off Vijayanagar) across the border, the flat terrain allowing for easy movement for the musketmen and the cavalry. The Gondwanese army was routed and captured within weeks, and the rest of the time preceding the peace was spent taking control of enemy territory.

Bhima's own movements (leading a force of 11,000 men, 7,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry) began in the south, and slowly carved a path paved with the corpses of Gondwana's army north, towards the capitol. In the end, Gondwana surrendered the disputed territories, and the 27,000 troops were freed up to head south to Vijayanagar.

The Golden Estates​

It was also within this period of time that we saw the beginning of the Rajput (Later Indian) Estates Golden Era of power and influence, and Era that begun thanks primarily to the lack of skill of future Maharajas (and Samraats) in certain areas of their jobs. With Madhu Singh Paramaras as the Estate General, and a myriad of talented men dominating this branch of government, the powers of this body would continue to grow.

With the induction of Madhu Singh Tomaras, a Brigadier General who had served at Bhima's side (and, consequentially, curried favor with the Maharaga) Paramaras effectively had the support (and representation in the Estates) of all the major groups of persons in Rajputana. Paramaras, during his time amongst the living of the Estates' Golden Era, would help set the building blocks that would help transform the Estates from a simple extension of the monarch's administrative cabinet, to a political force that would go on the shape future agendas.

Bhima's Reforms Succeed, Vijayanagar's War Machine Falls, While Rajputana's Carries On​

Over a year after Gondawa's surrender did Vijayanagar find itself backpedeling against the full force of Bhima's mighty military. Despite Vijayanagarian ships blockading much of Rajputana's coast, the Rajput soldiers were not deterred in their continuing battle against their enemy. Especially when Bhima arrived at the war front did Rajput gains begin to pick up steam.

Bhima was not merely going to be satisfied with crushing Vijayanagar's armies, oh no, this Maharaja sought to do what he believed should have been done a long time ago: permanenetly break the back of Vijayanagar. So, Bhima I would march south. He would occupy Konkan, deliver pounding defeats in Raichur Doab, and with the full 36,000 army pounding away at Vijayanagar, occupy the entire nation within two years, and force it to the most horrible of terms.

Vijayanagar Post-War: Broken and Beaten​

The Treaty of Madurai would force the long-time threat to Rajput Hindi dominance into a position of being a third-rate power. Bhima I forced Vijayanagar to release the state of Madurai (which effectively made up over half of its territory), and pay a small payment to help cover the costs of the war placed in Rajputana.

When news of the treaty reached Bihar, many of the merchant nation's leaders solemnly swore that 'It was all over'. In a sense, it was. Rajputana would never face a Hindi power that would be able to provide great resistance to the Maharaja's claimed dominance in the region, and would go on for the rest of the 16th century, all of the 17th century, and much of the 18th century slowly absorbing the last remaining free states of India into its nation, either through war or diplomacy (mostly through war).

Less than half a decade after this resounding victory, Rajputana would once again pick up on its military focus​

Even with Indian Hegemony all but assured to Rajputana at this point in history, Bhima I would still continue to try to further strengthen the military, knowing that conflicts beyond those of the weakened remaining Hindi nations would be ahead for Rajputana.

War Time Injuries claim Bhima I​

Bhima I, however, would not survive much longer beyond the war years. A small lead round, during the years of fighting, had somehow found its way into the base of Bhima I's spine. The Maharaja would, for the rest of his remaining life, complain of back pain and would often find himself falling ill quite often (likely due to infections or lead poisoning caused by the musket round).

Since muskets were still relatively knew to India, no doctors could prescribe exactly what was causing his physical harms till after his death (his death would prompt military doctors to look for bullet wounds in non-lethal areas). In his death, his young (but still eldest) child, Jagat Singh II (named after his exiled great, great, great uncle, Jagat Singh I) would take up the throne.

The world he would find would be a changing one, and the young man would institute perhaps one of the most profound changes in worl history a mere 20 years after his induction to the throne.

The Old World in 1581, maps from Portuguese Merchants helped provide Rajputana much knowledge of the world outside of their sphere of influence​