Chapter 58: The Clash of Empires — Babur’s Invasion
Year: 1530 CE | Pratap (22 years old) | Snehaa (16 years old)
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1. The Invasion Begins — Babur Breaches the Wall
The year following the grand council saw Babur amassing his forces, determined to break into the heart of Akhand Bharat. Despite the fortified defenses, Babur's army, equipped with cannons, war horses, and skilled archers, launched a massive offensive against the northwestern frontier.
The Great Bharat Wall trembled under the relentless assault of Babur's cannons.
In a daring maneuver, Babur's forces managed to breach a weakened section near Gandhar, creating a pathway into Bharat's northern plains.
Villages along the border burned, and the echoes of war spread across the empire.
Pratap, already stationed at Indraprastha, ordered the Northern Legion to engage Babur's vanguard, buying time for the imperial forces to mobilize.
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2. Pratap's Counteroffensive — Turning the Tide
Pratap displayed his brilliant military mind, channeling centuries of accumulated knowledge. Instead of directly confronting Babur's main force, he devised a three-pronged strategy:
a) Flanking from the Mountains
Pratap deployed a high-altitude battalion through the Himalayan passes, catching Babur's eastern flank off guard.
Using war elephants armored for mountainous terrain, they disrupted Babur's supply lines, causing chaos within his ranks.
b) The Gunpowder Ambush
In the plains near Punjab, Pratap set a trap, positioning cannons and matchlock riflemen along concealed ridges.
As Babur's forces advanced, Pratap lured them into a kill zone, where a rain of gunfire and cannonballs decimated the enemy.
c) Snehaa's Espionage Network
Snehaa's spies infiltrated Babur's camp, spreading false information about a supposed southern army marching to flank Babur.
This misinformation forced Babur to split his forces, weakening his offensive and giving Pratap a significant advantage.
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3. The Decisive Battle — Plains of Punjab
The final clash unfolded in the Plains of Punjab, where both armies met in a brutal and decisive battle.
Pratap, leading the Imperial Vanguard, faced Babur in a direct confrontation.
The battlefield became a sea of blood, as war elephants charged into enemy lines, and cannons roared from behind.
Snehaa, now fully awakened, led a contingent of elite archers, her precision striking down key enemy commanders.
The turning point came when Pratap personally dueled Babur on the battlefield.
Their swords clashed amidst the chaos, each blow a testament to centuries of warfare and honor.
Though Babur was a skilled warrior, Pratap's strategic mind and experience gave him the upper hand.
With a final, decisive strike, Pratap slew Babur, lifting his severed head high for both armies to see.
The sight shattered the morale of Babur's troops, leading to a massive retreat. Many were cut down, while others surrendered.
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4. Ruthless Retribution — A Message to the World
In the aftermath, Pratap delivered a brutal message to any who dared challenge Akhand Bharat:
Babur's head was displayed on the Great Bharat Wall as a warning.
Every male survivor from Babur's army was executed, while the wives and daughters of the fallen were brought to Indraprastha as political trophies.
Cities near the border were rebuilt, but fortified with stronger defenses, ensuring no future breaches.
This ruthless act earned Pratap the title: "The Iron Fist of Bharat."
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5. The Aftermath — Bharat's Rise
In the wake of victory:
Pratap's name became legend, solidifying his place among the great reincarnated rulers.
Snehaa, now deeply bonded with Pratap, grew into her role as an advisor and strategist, her awakening nearly complete.
Akhand Bharat's borders expanded further west, incorporating parts of Central Asia as buffer states.
The Gunpowder Revolution accelerated, leading to more advanced weaponry and fortifications.
The empire thrived, but whispers of new threats began circulating — distant empires watching Bharat's rise with growing unease.
The cycle of reincarnations continued, but for now, Akhand Bharat stood unbroken, stronger than ever before.