The First Move

The air inside the meeting room was thick with tension. Arjun, still adjusting to his role as Veerendra, quickly scanned the room. Seated before him were six zamindars—landlords who wielded immense influence over the region. His father, Raghunath Pratap Sharma, sat at the head of the room, his sharp eyes betraying nothing of his emotions.

"This land dispute must be settled today," one of the older landlords spoke, his voice rough from years of chewing betel leaves. "We cannot have uncertainty at a time when the country is still finding its footing after independence."

Arjun remained silent, absorbing the details. He realized something: this was an opportunity. If he played his cards right, he could secure a greater foothold for his family's influence in the post-independence power structure.

His father turned to him. "Veerendra, you have always been interested in these matters. What do you think?"

Arjun's mind raced. He had no prior knowledge of how his family had navigated these deals in history, but he had one advantage—his 2025 mindset. He knew how power worked, and he knew how to negotiate.

"Gentlemen," he began, keeping his voice calm, yet authoritative. "Our lands are valuable, and we must ensure that our future generations inherit something stable. If we settle this dispute today, we should do it in a way that strengthens our hold on this region, rather than weakens it."

The landlords exchanged glances. One of them scoffed. "And how do you suggest we do that, young man?"

Arjun's confidence grew. He leaned forward, hands clasped. "By forming a landowners' alliance. If we work together and standardize how land is taxed and leased, we will control the economy of this region. No outsider, not even the new government, will be able to dictate terms to us."

Silence followed. Then, Raghunath Sharma chuckled. "An interesting proposal."

One of the landlords nodded slowly. "If we regulate prices and rents ourselves… we control supply and demand."

Arjun knew he had them. "Exactly. Instead of fighting over land, we make sure that we set the rules. Anyone who wants to do business in this region must go through us."

Raghunath looked at his son with renewed interest. "Let us discuss the details."

Present Day – 2025

Arjun gasped as he was suddenly pulled out of the past. His body convulsed, and he found himself back in his cramped Delhi apartment, panting heavily. His heart pounded as his vision adjusted.

The gaming console on his table flashed faintly, as if acknowledging his return.

What just happened? He had actually lived through Veerendra's body, making decisions that directly shaped his family's history.

Arjun stumbled to his feet, his head spinning. He opened his laptop and quickly searched for records of his ancestor. A newspaper clipping from 1950 caught his eye.

"Formation of the Sharma Landowners' Consortium strengthens regional control, reshaping economic policies in Northern India."

His breath caught in his throat. The very thing he had suggested as Veerendra… had actually happened. He had changed history.

A slow grin spread across his face.

This is just the beginning.