Chapter 57: Bharatiya Institute Of Science

(Vijayanagar Empire.)

(What was happening in Lanka was unknown to Vijay.)

(It would take a few days for Vijay to receive his report from the Secret Service.)

(In the royal palace, Vijay called for Vinod.)

Vinod: "What can I do for you, Your Highness?"

(Vinod inquired.)

(Vijay explained.)

Vijay: "Issue a notice to gather all the best craftsmen, scholars, and doctors in the Empire for me."

(Vijay's next goal was to establish the Academy of Sciences in the Vijayanagar a Empire.)

(He wanted to improve the country's basic industrial foundation.)

(Some might suggest he could simply purchase all the necessary machines and technologies from Western countries, as technology was not highly valued in this era.)

(However, Vijay had a different perspective.)

(Several factors stopped his procurement of technology from the Western world.)

(Firstly, Bharat was geographically distant from Europe, making the cost of procurement astronomical.)

(Another reason was that no one would be willing to sell the latest technology to Bharat.)

(Whether it was the British, Dutch, Portuguese, or Spanish, these countries coveted Bharat's wealth.)

(These nations were the only powers capable of conducting continental trade and warfare during this era.)

(Hence, Vijay chose to build the technological foundation of Vijayanagar from the ground up.)

(Though it would take time, he possessed knowledge from future generations, which could accelerate the process.)

(Moreover, local development of technology could nurture a group of scientific talents.)

(In Hampi City.)

(The notice spread throughout the empire that the king was recruiting personnel again.)

Person 1: "Hey, did you hear? The emperor is recruiting craftsmen again."

Person 2: "Come on, let's go. Last time we missed the chance, but at least we can try to serve His Highness this time."

(Similar conversations were taking place throughout the empire among various professions.)

(Within a few days, the best craftsmen, scholars, and doctors were brought to the royal palace by Vijay's subordinates.)

(Inside the palace hall, a crowd of people gathered, conversing in hushed tones.)

???: "Hey, Raghu, you're here too. How's your business been lately?"

Raghu: "Oh, Prajwal, it's you! I didn't think you would also be selected. I guess it's pretty obvious, considering the quality of your metalwork. My business has been quite profitable recently. After the units and measurements were standardized, it became much easier to train apprentices. My workshop is now being managed by my son back at home. I came here to try my luck and see if I can be of any use to His Highness."

(Tap, tap, tap, tap....)

(Everyone spontaneously fell silent as strong, rhythmic footsteps echoed through the hallways.)

Everyone: "Long live Your Highness, long live Vijayanagar, long live, long live!"

(they chanted as Vijay, The emperor of the Vijayanagar empire, wearing a golden robe, entered the hall.)

(They collectively knelt on the ground and greeted the monarch.)

Vijay: "Please, get up."

(Vijay stated after accepting their greetings.)

(Once everyone had risen, he continued to explain the reason for summoning them.)

Vijay: "Gentlemen, I have brought you all here to assign you a task and a job that will lay the foundation for the future of our country."

(Seeing the excited expressions on the craftsmen's faces after hearing his opening remark, he continued with confidence.)

Vijay: "The new institution I am about to establish will be called the Bharathiya Institute for Sciences."

(Vijay continued, paying no heed to the confused expressions on the faces of those present.)

Vijay: "This institute will have two divisions: the Bharatiya Institute of Military Science and the Bharatiya Institute of Civilian Science. The Military Sciences Division will be solely responsible for developing new weapons for the Empire's defence department. Members selected for this department will work in a highly confidential environment, and their families will be relocated to secure and controlled areas. But worry not. the compensation for researchers in this department will be very high. The positions for this department cannot be applied for directly. However, based on your performance in the civilian department, if you are deemed capable and trustworthy, you may be appointed to the Bharat Military Sciences Department."

(Vijay continued, laying out his plans for the future.)

Vijay: "Bhartiya Civilian Sciences are responsible for researching new technologies that can be applied in our day-to-day lives."

(Vijay explained.)

Vijay: "The Bharatiya Civil Sciences Department will contain multiple branches. First, let me introduce the Metallurgical Branch, headed by Heyram. Heyram is the Factory Director of Raya Metal Works. He has earned his place through engineering, designing, and developing the blast furnace in our country, which makes him capable of leading the Metallurgy Department."

(Vijay introduced Heyram, who came to the stage, greeted by envious eyes and later a loud applause from everyone.)

(Heyram was popular in the craftsmen circles in the empire, known for his rags-to-riches story.)

Vijay: "Now, this department will focus on studying how new materials can be developed and how the manufacturing process of existing materials can be improved."

(Vijay continued.)

Vijay: "If you are a blacksmith, then this department would be suitable for you, as most of the current work is focused on the production of iron. However, there are a few objectives for this department that need to be fulfilled in the near future. The first task for this department is to study more efficient ways to produce iron in the blast furnace. The second objective is to research a stronger iron-making process and improve the manufacturing process."

(Vijay explained.)

(Vijay continued his announcement.)

Vijay: "Another department will be the Jiva Shastra department, headed by Vinay."

(He stated, as Vinay came on stage to the applause of the crowd.)

(Vijay continued.)

Vijay: "This department will be responsible for the study of life in our world in an ethical and safe manner. Its focus will be on discovering new knowledge about our bodies and the world around us."

(Vinay was overjoyed to receive the call to the royal palace this morning.)

(He had previously tried out for the position of director of the Livelihood department before the formation of the Imperial Council, but unfortunately, he had failed.)

(However, his hope was rekindled when Vijay mentioned that he had a specific purpose for him.)

(He eagerly awaited the king's next summons, but as days turned into weeks and months passed by, he had nearly given up hope, thinking that the king had forgotten him.)

(However, everything changed when he received a call from the royal palace, summoning him.)

(It was an invitation from the king himself.)

(At this moment, he was still in disbelief, but after hearing Vijay's words, he was thrilled by the prospect of the work ahead.)

(especially since it was similar to his daily interests and hobbies.)

(Vijay continued.)

Vijay: "There are a few requirements from the Department of Jiva Shastra. I will give you some clear goals to work towards. Firstly, why do people who drink raw water get sick easily as opposed to those who drink boiled water? I need your department to find out the reason for this phenomenon, Now, this is a simpler task compared to the next one. I need the Jiva Shastra division to collect all the Ayurvedic prescriptions in the empire."

(This topic intrigued the medical experts in the room as Vijay continued.)

Vijay: "I have noticed that Ayurvedic medicine works really well for illnesses, but different doctors give different prescriptions with varying quantities of herbs for the same patient with the same condition. This leads to confusion among the common folk and makes it harder to train apprentices. Hence, what I need your department to do is collect all the information from the medical experts about the recipes in the empire and standardize all the prescriptions so that even an apprentice can understand basic pharmacology. Also, ensure that each prescription has been tested on a large number of people for safety."

(Listening to Vijay's words, every medical professional in the hall, including Vinay, was not calm.)

(Vinay could not stand still any more as he spoke up.)

Vinay: "Forgive me, Your Highness, but those prescriptions are our lifeblood, handed down from our ancestors. We do not wish to spread our knowledge to apprentices and risk losing our livelihoods."

(Vijay remained composed, fully aware of the traditional master-disciple system they were operating under.)

(He understood that many masters were often reluctant to share their entire knowledge with their apprentices.)

(This practice ultimately led to the disappearance of many authentic Ayurvedic prescriptions in the future.)

(resulting in scams and a tarnished reputation for Bharitaya Ayurvedic medicine.)

(In this life, Vijay was determined to bring about change, As he reassured Vinay and all the medical practitioners.)

Vijay: "Don't worry, Vinay. The government will bear the cost of procuring the Ayurvedic recipes from your hands. With standardized prescriptions, more people can afford medical services, and you, as leaders in your field, will never be in a compromised position."

(Vinay and his colleagues in the hall calmed down, realizing the Truth in Vijay's words.)

(Vijay continued by introducing a new department for the Bhartiya Institute of Civil Science.)

Vijay: "The next division will be Bhautik Shastra. This department will focus on studying the mechanisms of the world. In essence, this department will delve into the workings of the world and unravel its mysteries."

(Vijay continued with his instructions.)

Vijay: "There are a few objectives for you. Firstly, as a long-term objective, we all know that our world is a sphere. I need all of you to come up with a way to measure the size of our world without leaving this Empire. Secondly, I need you to figure out why a rainbow is formed."

(He was trying to guide them toward ideas that help them grow up as scientific research talents.)

Vijay: "For a practical objective, I need you to research a kind of machine that can improve the efficiency of agriculture and Loom."

(Vijay proceeded, introducing the final department.)

Vijay: "The Rasayan Shastra department will be responsible for studying the nature of objects and how a single object behaves with other objects."

(He continued.)

Vijay: "I will give this department a few objectives. Firstly, I need you to collect all the known elements and create a comprehensive chart. This chart should include the characteristics of each specific element, how it reacts with other elements, and if there are any peculiar properties associated with each element."

(He went on.)

Vijay: "The second objective is to figure out why soap cleans our bodies."

(Finally, he added.)

Vijay: "The third objective is specifically for the Bharatiya Institute of Military Science. If you can successfully complete the first objective and obtain good results, the selected personnel will be employed by the Bharatiya Institute of Military Science to work on the third objective."

(Vijay aimed to have the military department manufacture gunpowder, which would be used extensively in the future.)

(With that, Vijay concluded his lengthy speech and left the hall after imparting the seeds of knowledge to the candidates.)

(Although his golden finger had improved tremendously since his early days, sharing so much knowledge left him feeling dizzy.)

(The crowd applauded as he left the room to his bed.)

(And so, the Bharatiya Institute of Science was established, becoming the cornerstone of research and progress for Bharat in the future.)

[To Be Continued...]