A New Dawn for Vijayanagara

The royal motorcade glided through the broad avenues of Vellore, the heart of the Vijayanagara Empire. Towering temples with intricate carvings stood alongside modern high-rises, a testament to the empire's rich past and its promising future.

Inside the bulletproof black limousine, Krishna Deva Raya gazed out at the cheering crowds lining the streets. His people.

Even though he had spent years living in New Delhi, hiding his identity while studying, he now understood the true weight of his heritage.

The car passed through ornate golden gates and into the Royal Palace complex. After half an hour, the motorcade finally came to a stop in front of the imperial residence.

As Krishna stepped out, two familiar figures stood at the entrance—his father, Shriranga Deva Raya, and his mother, Fulmati Deva Raya.

The king, a man in his late fifties, had an aura of authority. His regal white-and-gold robes shimmered in the sunlight, and his sharp eyes examined Krishna with quiet pride.

Beside him, the queen wore an elegant saree, her face softening with overwhelming affection as she saw her son after years of separation.

"Krishna!" she called out, immediately pulling him into a tight embrace. "You've grown thinner! Have you been eating well?"

Krishna chuckled. "Yes, Mother. I—"

"Are you hungry?" she interrupted, cupping his face, concern filling her warm brown eyes.

Before Krishna could answer, his father interjected, "I'm hungry too."

Queen Fulmati turned her head sharply, giving the king a glare.

"Can't you see I'm talking to my son?" she scolded. "Why are you even hungry?"

The king, one of the most powerful men in the world, flinched. "I am the king of this empire! Can you at least treat me with some respect?"

Queen Fulmati folded her arms. "So what if you're king? I'm the queen."

Krishna suppressed a smile. He had already known from his inherited memories that his parents were childhood sweethearts. They had grown up together, fallen in love, and eventually married. Their love was strong—but so was the queen's iron will, which even the mighty Shriranga Deva Raya feared.

The king sighed and turned to Krishna. "Come, let's eat. I may be king, but I still have to listen to your mother."

⸻

The grand dining hall of the palace was a masterpiece of Vijayanagara's legendary craftsmanship—high vaulted ceilings, carved pillars depicting mythological stories, and gold-inlaid tables fit for an emperor.

Servants moved with precision, setting down lavish dishes before the royal family. But as they ate, the king's tone became serious.

"Krishna," his father said, setting down his spoon, "now that you have returned, I want to hear your thoughts. What do you see in the future of our empire?"

Krishna wiped his hands, his mind already prepared.

"I've been studying the economic data of our empire," Krishna Deva Raya began, his voice steady and firm, as he addressed the King and Queen, who sat in front of him, listening with great attention. "At present, our GDP stands at $94 billion, and with a population of only 18 million, this means our per capita income is $5,222. This figure, while respectable, is quite average when compared to other South Asian nations."

The King and Queen nodded thoughtfully, their expressions attentive and reflecting the gravity of Krishna's words. They understood that the numbers Krishna presented were the foundation of the empire's economic strength—or lack thereof.

Krishna continued, his tone slightly more contemplative. "Our land, as you know, belongs to the crown. It is one of the greatest assets of the empire. Currently, 69% of the land is under direct royal control. Only 4% is owned by the government, while the remaining 27% is private property. This allocation grants us vast powers, but the true wealth lies in what can be extracted and harnessed from this land. If natural resources are discovered, they belong entirely to the royal family."

He paused for a moment, letting the weight of the information settle before leaning forward, his voice growing more urgent. "But, Your Majesties, we are not using our full potential."

The King and Queen exchanged a glance. The enormity of Krishna's words was clear. The empire, with its vast territories and royal control, was underperforming in terms of population and resource utilization. Krishna, sensing their concern, elaborated.

"Vijayanagara is a mighty empire, stretching across vast and fertile lands," Krishna said, his gaze sweeping across the map of the empire on the table before him. "We control the regions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Goa, Telangana, the Lakshadweep Islands, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Our territory is immense, diverse, and rich in natural resources. From the lush green plains of Kerala to the coastal beauty of Goa, from the fertile river valleys of Tamil Nadu to the pristine islands in the south, there is a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be explored."

The King nodded slowly, understanding the scale of the empire's geographical advantages. Yet, the next words from Krishna rang with a sense of urgency.

"Yet, despite the vastness of our empire, our population is astonishingly small," Krishna continued, his brow furrowing slightly. "At 18 million people, we are severely underpopulated for the size of our land. The land is ripe for development, but it is the people who will shape that future. We cannot simply rely on the existing population to develop such vast territories. Our people are hardworking, but we need more hands to work the fields, more minds to innovate in industry, and more citizens to defend and sustain our empire."

Krishna paused, allowing his point to resonate before he continued, a hint of resolve in his tone. "Our population is a critical factor holding us back from truly realizing our potential. The land is ours to use, yet the numbers necessary to fully tap into that potential are lacking."

The Queen, who had been listening intently, leaned forward, concern evident in her eyes. "But how do we address this issue, Krishna? Expanding our population is not something that can be done quickly or without consequences. What if the new population is not loyal to the royal family? What if they bring foreign ideas and disrupt the balance of power?"

Krishna nodded in acknowledgment of the Queen's valid concerns. "Your Majesty, this is the crux of the matter. Any effort to increase the population must be done with caution. Our empire is founded on loyalty to the royal family and adherence to our Hindu traditions. We cannot afford to open our doors to those who may not respect these values or who might try to destabilize the empire."

He paused, his mind racing through possibilities, then continued with a suggestion. "Perhaps we could consider relaxing the strict neutrality of our citizenship policies. By opening the doors to those who have the potential to contribute positively to the empire, we could bring in new citizens—carefully vetted and loyal. This would not be a free-for-all. Instead, we could set clear criteria for those seeking to join our empire, ensuring that they respect our culture, traditions, and, most importantly, their allegiance to the royal family."

Krishna's words echoed through the room, and the King and Queen exchanged a thoughtful glance. The idea of relaxing citizenship laws was certainly a drastic measure, but it could offer the solution to the population crisis that Krishna had outlined.

Krishna continued, "We could look at neighboring kingdoms and other regions within the South Asian subcontinent where people may seek refuge, or where economic conditions may drive migration. But we would require strict measures in place to ensure that these newcomers are loyal to the crown, and that they understand the deep cultural and spiritual foundations that have made our empire strong."

He leaned back, his eyes now focused on the royal couple. "It would be wise to have a system where those who seek to become citizens can demonstrate their loyalty through service to the empire—be it in agriculture, defense, trade, or education. We must ensure that their contributions are meaningful and that they align with the values we hold dear."

The King rubbed his chin thoughtfully, considering Krishna's proposal. "This is a delicate matter, Krishna. The integrity of our empire, our traditions, and our royal family is paramount. We cannot afford to let anyone in who might compromise that."

Krishna nodded, understanding the King's concerns. "Of course, Your Majesty. I propose that we take incremental steps, starting with the regions that are most likely to benefit us—those that are geographically close or economically aligned with our needs. Through a series of checks, including loyalty oaths and an understanding of our cultural practices, we can gradually build a population that is both loyal and skilled."

The Queen, who had been quiet for a moment, finally spoke. "And what of the religious aspects, Krishna? We have always been firm in our commitment to Hinduism. Allowing people of different faiths into our empire could lead to religious tensions."

Krishna met her gaze, unwavering in his conviction. "Your Majesty, I understand the importance of preserving our religious integrity. We must be selective in who we allow into the empire. Only those who respect and uphold our Hindu traditions should be considered for citizenship. Those who do not align with our beliefs could be allowed to live within the empire, but they should never be granted full citizenship. We must ensure that our Hindu values remain the cornerstone of this empire's identity."

The King and Queen exchanged another look, their decision not yet made, but Krishna's proposal had certainly sparked new considerations. The fate of the empire, its growth, and its future would depend on these delicate decisions.

Krishna's voice softened slightly as he concluded, "Your Majesties, our empire has great potential. The land is vast, the resources abundant, and our traditions strong. With a larger, loyal population, we can secure the future of the Vijayanagara Empire and its rightful place among the greatest powers of the world. The steps we take now will determine the future of our kingdom."

The room fell silent, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air as the King and Queen considered the path forward.

He paused, then leaned forward slightly. "And still we're not using our full potential even after this."

His father raised an eyebrow. "Explain."

Krishna's voice grew more passionate. "Countries like Indonesia and Thailand have turned tourism into a multi-billion-dollar industry. Bali, Phuket—these places bring in millions of tourists every year, driving their entire economies.

Look at Dubai—it transformed itself into a global hub with its modern infrastructure, attracting tens of millions of tourists annually."

He gestured around. "And yet, we? We have more than they do."

"We have ancient Hindu temples that are architectural marvels—the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, and countless others. Pilgrims from around the world should be flocking to them.

We have the pristine Goa beaches perfect for diving and Lakshadweep's coral reefs for snorkeling. We have hills for trekking, rivers for rafting, and untouched natural landscapes that can refresh the mind and soul."

He paused. "But tourists face too many problems—lack of infrastructure, lack of security, and an overall poor experience."

"If we fix this, we can bring in billions in tourism revenue."

A silence followed.

Then, the king nodded. "I understand your vision." He set down his glass and looked at Krishna with a new level of respect.

"Tomorrow morning," he said, "you will accompany me to the Royal Council Hall."

Krishna knew what was coming next, so he didn't ask further questions.

After finishing his meal, he excused himself and went to his quarters, preparing for tomorrow's events.

⸻

The Council of Vijayanagara

The next morning, at precisely 10 AM, the Royal Council Hall was filled with the highest-ranking officials of the empire.

The moment King Shriranga Deva Raya entered, every minister stood up in silent respect.

Following behind him, Krishna stepped into the grand chamber for the first time.

The king took his seat at the head of the table, his voice firm as he opened the session.

"As you all know," he began, "my son, Krishna Deva Raya, has returned after completing his studies in India."

Krishna took a deep breath, then stepped forward, repeating everything he had told his father about the economic future of the empire.

When he finished, the room was silent.

The ministers exchanged glances—some surprised, some impressed. But none dared to speak out of line.

Then, the king rose from his seat.

"I have made my decision," he declared.

"From this day forward, Krishna Deva Raya is appointed Crown Prince of Vijayanagara and Deputy Prime Minister of the Empire."

A collective gasp filled the hall. Some ministers' eyes widened in shock—but no one dared to challenge the king's word.

In Vijayanagara, the king's authority was absolute. He held executive, judicial, and military power. No one could question his decree.

Krishna, too, remained calm.

But just as the meeting concluded, a strange sensation washed over him.

A mechanical voice echoed in his mind.

Ding!

Congratulations on activating the 'National Development System.'

A holographic panel appeared before his eyes, visible only to him.

Krishna's breath hitched.

What is this?

His heart pounded, but he remained composed, saying nothing.

The meeting adjourned, and as he returned to the royal palace, he knew one thing for certain—

His true journey had only just begun.

To be continued…