Chapter 57: The Rise of Pratap — Shadows of Invasion
### **Chapter 57: The Rise of Pratap — Shadows of Invasion**
**Year:** 1529 CE | **Rebirth of Gaurav as Pratap**
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### **1. A New Dawn — Pratap's Awakening**
After centuries of relentless challenges and constant vigilance, the cycle of **reincarnation** continued.
**Gaurav**, the **Great Revenger**, returned as **Pratap**, a fierce and strategic mind destined to protect **Akhand Bharat** from new threats.
- **Pratap**, now **22 years old**, was raised in the heart of **Indraprastha**, trained from birth in the arts of war, governance, and diplomacy.
- His **awakening system** stirred when he was **18**, revealing fragments of his past lives — the triumphs, struggles, and the burden of leadership.
Beside him stood **Snehaa**, the reincarnation of **Kamini**, now **15 years old**, who showed signs of an early awakening. Her wisdom and intuition hinted at her true identity, though her full power had yet to emerge.
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### **2. Whispers from the North — The Shadow of Babur**
Beyond the **Great Bharat Wall**, unrest brewed in **Central Asia**. A rising warlord, **Babur**, known for his tactical brilliance and ambition, began consolidating forces to the north.
- Scouts brought troubling news: **Babur** had set his eyes on **Bharat**, intending to breach the western walls and claim the fertile lands for his empire.
- His forces, made up of **fierce Central Asian horsemen**, **cannoneers**, and seasoned warriors, posed a threat unlike anything Bharat had faced in generations.
- **Babur's alliance** with rogue tribes near the borders provided him with a strategic advantage, making the threat immediate and severe.
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### **3. Preparing for Invasion — Pratap's Grand Strategy**
Pratap, aware of the dangers that **Babur** posed, immediately began **preparing Bharat's defenses**. His approach combined the wisdom of his past lives and new military tactics honed over centuries.
#### **a) Fortifying the Northern Borders**
- Massive **artillery stations** were constructed along the **Great Bharat Wall** in the **north-west**, capable of launching heavy cannons to repel enemy advances.
- **Mountain passes** leading into **Kashmir** and **Gandhar** were fortified with stone bastions and hidden traps, forcing the invaders into bottlenecks.
- A new breed of **war elephants** armored in steel was introduced, acting as mobile fortresses on the battlefield.
#### **b) Mobilizing the Army**
- Pratap ordered the **Imperial Army** to assemble at **Indraprastha**, calling in regiments from **Punjab, Baluchistan, Kashmir**, and **Gujarat**.
- A specialized **high-altitude battalion** was formed, trained to fight in the mountainous regions where **Babur** was expected to strike.
- **Gunpowder units** with **matchlock rifles** and **portable cannons** were deployed to strategic choke points.
#### **c) Snehaa's Role**
- Though young, **Snehaa** took charge of the **intelligence network**, working closely with scouts and spies to gather real-time information on **Babur's** movements.
- Her ability to decipher enemy tactics became crucial in identifying weak points in **Babur's** strategy.
Their bond deepened as they worked side by side — echoes of their past reincarnations influencing their decisions and emotions.
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### **4. Diplomacy & Unity — A Call Across Akhand Bharat**
Pratap understood that unity was the key to survival. He convened a **Grand Round Table** in **Indraprastha**, inviting rulers from every state:
- **Rajputs from Rajasthan**, fierce warriors with unshakable honor.
- **Tamils and Kannadigas** from the south, known for their naval expertise and war elephants.
- **Tibetan lords** from the mountains, masters of high-altitude warfare.
- **Eastern generals** from **Assam** and **Bengal**, skilled in guerrilla tactics.
In the **Great Hall**, Pratap addressed the leaders:
*"Bharat has stood through countless storms, and another one approaches. Our unity will decide whether we thrive or fall. We do not fight for glory — we fight for our home, our people, and the legacy of Akhand Bharat."*
A roar of approval echoed through the hall, as Akhand Bharat braced itself for the storm that was **Babur**.