Chapter 18: The Aftermath of Delhi’s Liberation
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1. Delhi Reclaimed – The Lion's Return
As dawn broke over the city, the scent of blood and smoke still lingered in the air. The streets of Delhi, once ruled by fear, were now under the banners of the Rajput Confederation. Hemu stood at the gates of the Red Fort, his gaze fixed on the city he had fought so hard to reclaim.
The people of Delhi, who had suffered under Mughal oppression, began to emerge from their homes. Men, women, and children looked upon the Rajput warriors with a mix of fear and hope.
A young boy, no older than ten, hesitantly stepped forward, clutching his mother's hand.
Boy: "Are the Mughals gone?"
Hemu kneeled before him, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Hemu: "Yes, son. They are gone. Delhi is free."
A moment of silence passed before the crowd erupted in cheers. Tears of joy streamed down the faces of many, as they finally saw the end of Mughal tyranny.
Maharana Pratap and Rani Avantibai stood beside Hemu, their armor still bearing the marks of battle.
Maharana Pratap: "We have won a great victory, but our work is not yet done. The city must be rebuilt, and order must be restored."
Rani Avantibai: "And we must prepare for the Mughals' return. Akbar will not accept this defeat easily."
Hemu nodded. He had won the battle, but the war for Hindustan had only just begun.
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2. Restoring Order – A New Rajput Administration
Hemu wasted no time in reorganizing the city. He summoned the city's elders, merchants, and scholars to the Diwan-e-Aam, the grand hall where the people could present their grievances.
Hemu: "Delhi will not be ruled by fear and greed. We will establish justice and fairness. The people of this city—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and all others—shall live as free men and women."
The gathered citizens murmured among themselves. Some still feared what would happen next.
One of the city's merchants, an old man with a white beard, stepped forward.
Merchant: "My Lord, the Mughals imposed heavy taxes upon us. Our businesses suffered. Will you do the same?"
Hemu turned to his ministers.
Hemu: "From this day forward, the unfair Mughal tax system is abolished. Farmers and traders will pay only a reasonable tax—one that allows them to prosper, not suffer."
The merchant fell to his knees.
Merchant: "Bless you, My Lord! Delhi shall flourish once more under your rule!"
The Rajput council immediately set to work:
✔ Taxes were lowered to encourage trade and commerce.
✔ Corrupt officials were removed and replaced with loyal, capable men.
✔ Mughal prisoners were dealt with—those who surrendered were spared, while the ruthless oppressors were punished.
✔ The city's defenses were reinforced—walls were repaired, and watchtowers were built to prepare for any future attacks.
Within days, Delhi began to stabilize. The markets reopened, trade resumed, and the people regained their lost hope.
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3. The Mughal Retreat – Akbar's Wrath
Meanwhile, in Agra, Akbar received the news of Delhi's fall. His face darkened with rage as he listened to his generals.
General: "Hemu has taken the city, My Emperor. Bairam Khan barely escaped with his life. Our forces were… crushed."
Akbar's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword.
Akbar: "Hemu… again. He humiliates us at every turn."
Bairam Khan, his pride wounded, knelt before the young Emperor.
Bairam Khan: "My Lord, grant me an army, and I will reclaim Delhi for you!"
But Akbar was not convinced. He had underestimated Hemu once before. He would not make the same mistake again.
Akbar: "We will not rush into another battle. We must prepare."
He turned to his advisors.
Akbar: "Gather the greatest generals in Hindustan. We will raise an army that will not only retake Delhi—but will crush Hemu once and for all."
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4. Strengthening the Rajput Confederation
Back in Delhi, Hemu knew that Akbar's counterattack was only a matter of time. If the Rajputs were to hold the city, they needed alliances and reinforcements.
Hemu, Maharana Pratap, and Rani Avantibai summoned the rulers of Rajasthan, Malwa, Bundelkhand, and the Deccan for a grand council.
They gathered in the newly restored Red Fort, where Hemu stood before them.
Hemu: "We have driven the Mughals from Delhi. But Akbar will return, and he will come with the full might of his empire."
The rulers murmured among themselves. Some were hesitant.
Rajput Chieftain: "We Rajputs are warriors, but can we truly stand against the full strength of the Mughal Empire?"
Maharana Pratap stepped forward.
Maharana Pratap: "We have something the Mughals do not—a cause worth fighting for. They fight for an empire. We fight for our land, our people, our way of life!"
The chieftains nodded, their doubts fading.
Rani Avantibai then spoke.
Rani Avantibai: "United, we are unstoppable. The Mughals have never faced a united Bharat. If we stand together, Delhi will not fall again."
One by one, the rulers pledged their armies to the Rajput cause.
✔ The Rajputana clans sent 50,000 warriors to defend Delhi.
✔ Malwa and Bundelkhand provided supplies, horses, and weapons.
✔ The Deccan kings promised naval support and trade routes.
For the first time in history, the Rajputs, Marathas, and southern kings stood united against a common enemy.
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5. Preparing for the Next Battle
With reinforcements secured, Hemu turned his attention to Delhi's defenses.
✔ The city walls were strengthened with iron reinforcements.
✔ Watchtowers were equipped with Rajput archers and cannons.
✔ The gates were fortified with layers of stone and steel.
Hemu also restructured the army, introducing a new battle formation inspired by ancient Hindu warfare tactics:
The Trishula Formation (Trident Formation)
⚔ The center force (Shiva's spine) would act as the main attack force.
⚔ The left and right wings (Shiva's arms) would flank and encircle the enemy.
⚔ The rear cavalry (Shiva's trident) would charge in when the enemy was weakened.
This perfect balance of offense and defense would ensure that the Mughals could never break through.
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6. A New Rajput King – Hemu's Coronation
With Delhi secure, the people demanded a leader to rule the empire.
The Rajput leaders gathered in the Red Fort once more, where Maharana Pratap and Rani Avantibai stood beside Hemu.
Maharana Pratap: "Hemu, you have won battles no one thought possible. You have united our people. It is time for you to take the throne."
Hemu hesitated.
Hemu: "I fight for Bharat, not for a crown."
But Rani Avantibai stepped forward.
Rani Avantibai: "A kingdom without a king is a body without a soul. Delhi needs a ruler who will lead them to victory."
At last, Hemu relented.
Before the gathered warriors and citizens, Hemu was crowned as the Emperor of Hindustan.
As he took his place on the throne, he spoke only one sentence:
Hemu: "The age of foreign rule is over. Hindustan shall be free."
The warriors cheered. The people wept.
Delhi was no longer a city in chains. It was the beating heart of a new, united Hindustan.
But war loomed on the horizon.
Akbar was coming.
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