Chapter 61: The Arrival of the Foreigners — A New Tide
Chapter 61: The Arrival of the Foreigners — A New Tide
Year: 1672 CE — 1678 CE | Baji (The Guardian of Progress) | Manali (The Wise Strategist)
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1. A New Horizon — The Portuguese Arrive
As Bharat continued to thrive under Baji's reign, news of the empire's vast wealth and advancements had spread far beyond Asia. In 1672 CE, the empire witnessed a historic moment — the arrival of the first Portuguese explorers to Bharat's western shores.
Led by the renowned navigator Dom Miguel de Costa, the Portuguese fleet anchored near Gujarat's bustling port cities.
Their ships, adorned with foreign flags, carried gifts, spices, and fine European goods, hoping to establish trade relations with the fabled empire.
For the first time, Bharat faced direct contact with a European power seeking to tap into its immense wealth.
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2. The Council's Debate — Trade or Isolation?
The arrival of the Portuguese sparked intense debates within the Imperial Round Table.
Baji, ever the protector of Bharat's interests, saw both opportunity and danger in this new relationship.
Manali argued for controlled trade, emphasizing the potential benefits of accessing new goods while maintaining strict knowledge security.
Some council members, however, voiced concerns about the Portuguese ambitions, fearing they might try to infiltrate and steal Bharat's technological secrets.
After much deliberation, a decision was made.
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3. The Trade Agreement — With Boundaries
Baji met with Dom Miguel de Costa in a grand assembly at Indraprastha, where the terms of trade were laid out:
a) Conditions for Portuguese Trade:
1. Heavy Taxation:
Portuguese merchants were granted trade rights but had to pay substantial taxes on all imported and exported goods.
The taxes were designed to limit foreign trade while ensuring Bharat profited immensely.
2. Limited Access:
The Portuguese could only establish trade posts in designated coastal cities — Gujarat, Kerala, and parts of Andhra Pradesh.
They were forbidden from venturing into the empire's interior without permission.
3. Technology Ban:
No Bharatiya military technology or advanced metallurgy could be traded under any circumstances.
Any attempt to steal or smuggle technology would result in immediate expulsion and severe consequences.
b) Cultural Exchange:
While military secrets remained protected, Baji encouraged a controlled cultural exchange.
Bharatiya art, spices, textiles, and philosophy began flowing into Europe, while European goods like glassware, clocks, and unique textiles entered Bharat.
The agreement was hailed as a diplomatic victory, maintaining Bharat's sovereignty while opening doors to global trade.
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4. Tensions Beneath the Surface
Despite the successful treaty, not all Portuguese merchants were content with the strict regulations.
Rumors began circulating of secret Portuguese missions attempting to infiltrate the empire's knowledge vaults.
Baji's Guardians of Knowledge intercepted several covert operatives, preventing them from smuggling out blueprints and gunpowder recipes.
Manali remained vigilant, increasing security patrols around ports and enforcing strict inspections on foreign ships.
Tensions simmered beneath the surface as curiosity clashed with Bharat's protective walls.
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5. The Rise of the Bharatiya Navy
Realizing the potential dangers of European naval powers, Baji invested heavily in expanding the Bharatiya Navy.
Coastal guards were reinforced, and new naval academies were established to train elite sailors.
Iron-clad warships, equipped with advanced cannons, patrolled the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea.
Port cities like Mumbai, Cochin, and Chittagong became fortified hubs, ready to repel any foreign aggression.
This naval expansion ensured Bharat retained dominance over the regional seas, deterring any ambitions of colonization.
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6. The Growing Rift — Baji and Manali
As Bharat's interactions with the Portuguese deepened, so did the internal rift between Baji and Manali.
Manali believed that selective knowledge sharing could lead to global peace and cooperation, fostering a unified world.
Baji, however, was unwavering in his stance — protecting Bharat's secrets at all costs.
Their once unbreakable bond began to show cracks, as philosophical differences overshadowed their shared past. Yet, both remained committed to the empire's prosperity.
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7. A New Era Dawns
As the Portuguese continued their trade under Bharat's watchful eye, whispers of other European powers reaching Asian shores spread — the Dutch, the English, and the French were not far behind.
Bharat stood strong, but Baji knew that the arrival of the Portuguese was only the beginning. The age of exploration had reached Bharat's gates, and the empire would soon face greater challenges.
Would Bharat's walls hold against the rising tide of foreign powers? Or would cracks form, leading to a new era of conflict and transformation?
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End of Chapter 61
As Baji navigates the complexities of foreign diplomacy and internal conflicts, the empire stands on the brink of a new chapter — one where the lines between isolation and global influence blur, threatening the very foundation of Akhand Bharat.