Chapter 4: The Forge of Warriors
The Birth of an Army Like No Other
Raja Hemchandra Vikramaditya—Hemu—stood on the vast training grounds of his capital. Before him, thousands of soldiers, young and old, stood in disciplined ranks. These men had fought with bravery in past battles, but bravery alone wouldn't be enough this time.
The Mughals were coming. And this time, Bharat would not be conquered.
He had three months before the decisive battle at Panipat. The roads were being built, weapons were being forged, and spies were already gathering intelligence.
Now, it was time to prepare the army.
Hemu turned to his supreme commander, Raghunath Rao, and chief strategist, Keshav Pandit.
"Our warriors have courage, but courage without strategy is a fool's weapon. We must train them in the art of modern warfare."
Keshav nodded. "Maharaj, our men are skilled in sword fighting, archery, and cavalry. But they lack discipline in formation battles and firearms training."
Raghunath stepped forward. "Then we must change the way we fight."
Hemu's lips curled into a knowing smile. "And we will. By the time we face the Mughals, our army will be stronger, smarter, and deadlier than ever before."
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1. Dividing the Army: The New Military Structure
Hemu knew that a single massive army wouldn't be enough. Flexibility and specialization were key.
"From now on," he commanded, "our forces will be divided into specialized units."
Raghunath and Keshav quickly outlined the new divisions:
1. Vajra Sena (Thunder Warriors) – Elite shock troops, trained in both melee and musket warfare.
2. Agni Vahini (Fire Legion) – Cannoneers and musket squads trained in gunpowder warfare.
3. Ashwa Rakshaka (Guardian Cavalry) – Horse-mounted units specialized in hit-and-run attacks.
4. Garuda Vahini (Eagle Corps) – Scouting and intelligence forces, blending spies with trained fighters.
5. Raksha Dala (Guardian Division) – Defensive troops specialized in fort defense and counter-siege tactics.
Hemu looked over the commanders. "Every soldier must know his place. We are not fighting for land or wealth. We are fighting for Bharat's future."
The commanders saluted, their eyes filled with newfound determination.
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2. Fire and Steel: Training with Muskets and Cannons
Hemu led the generals to the newly established firearms training ground. Rows of blacksmiths worked tirelessly, forging modified muskets and lightweight cannons, just as he had ordered.
Baldev Singh, the chief blacksmith, approached with a prototype.
"Maharaj, this is our improved musket. It reloads twice as fast as the standard Mughal firearm and has greater range."
Hemu took the musket, feeling its weight. He turned to a soldier.
"Load and fire at that target."
The soldier followed the command, the musket ball piercing the wooden target at a distance far greater than normal.
Raghunath Rao's eyes widened. "With these, our foot soldiers will match the Mughals' firepower."
"Not match," Hemu corrected. "Surpass."
Next, Baldev led them to the new cannon prototypes.
"These lightweight cannons can be mounted on fast-moving carts. We call them Vajra Cannons—Thunder Cannons."
Hemu smiled. "Deploy them at key locations across the kingdom. When the Mughals arrive, they won't find an easy battle."
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3. Breaking the Old Ways: New Combat Drills
The next day, the training of soldiers began in full force.
Old warriors who were used to fighting with swords and bows now had to adapt to firearms. Some resisted the change.
One veteran stepped forward. "Maharaj, we Rajputs have always fought with swords. These guns lack honor!"
Hemu walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Honor is not in the weapon. Honor is in the warrior."
Then, he raised a musket and aimed it at a distant target. Bang! The shot hit dead center.
"A sword can only kill at arm's length. A musket can kill from a hundred yards away. What do you think will happen when Mughal musketeers fire on us from a distance?"
The veteran hesitated but then nodded. "I understand, Maharaj. We will fight however is needed to protect Bharat."
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4. The Training Begins: A Battle Within
For the next two weeks, the training grounds became a place of blood, sweat, and fire.
Soldiers trained day and night, learning how to reload faster, aim better, and fight smarter.
The Vajra Sena practiced shock assaults, switching seamlessly between swords and muskets.
The Agni Vahini learned precision shooting, turning into a deadly musket corps.
The cavalry trained with firearms, learning how to fire while riding at full speed.
Hemu personally oversaw every drill, ensuring that his men adapted to modern tactics.
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5. A Test of Strength: The Simulated Battle
After weeks of training, Hemu decided to test his army in a real battle scenario.
He divided his forces into two sides:
1. Team Raghunath Rao – Using traditional Rajput warfare.
2. Team Keshav Pandit – Using the new musket and cannon strategies.
The battle began at dawn.
Raghunath's men charged forward with swords and arrows, but Keshav's musket warriors held their ground.
Bang! Bang!
The first volley of musket fire dropped half of the charging warriors before they could even reach the frontline.
Raghunath's men tried flanking maneuvers, but Keshav's Vajra Cannons fired, breaking their formation.
Within two hours, Raghunath surrendered.
He approached Hemu, his face filled with shock and respect.
"Maharaj… I never believed muskets and cannons could dominate the battlefield like this. We must fully embrace these changes."
Hemu placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Now imagine what will happen when the Mughals charge at us, expecting an easy victory."
Raghunath's eyes gleamed. "They will walk into their own grave."
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The Kingdom Awakens
Word spread across the kingdom. The soldiers had transformed. The forges never stopped burning. The roads neared completion.
Bharat was awakening, stronger than ever before.
As Hemu stood overlooking his training grounds, he knew—
This time, history would be rewritten.
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