As Aditya entered the training grounds with Jeetendar in the evening, he was struck by the sight of 1,250 soldiers standing in disciplined ranks, their faces set with determination.
"What is the meaning of this?" Aditya exclaimed, turning to Jeetendar. "I was expecting to meet with Defense Minister Shadi Khan, not find such a large contingent assembled."
Jeetendar bowed respectfully. "Your Highness, it would be best to consult with His Grace directly," he said before departing.
Shadi Khan, the Defense Minister and supreme military general, approached Aditya with a respectful nod. "For the Samrajya, Your Highness," he greeted, his voice both authoritative and warm.
Aditya responded in kind. "For the Samrajya, Your Grace."
"Three days ago, I promised to assist you with recruits for your escort," Shadi Khan explained. "Here are 1,250 men, all skilled with guns and crossbows. Although I couldn't secure infantry due to permissions, these soldiers are organized as you requested."
He continued, "These men were denied their rightful place elsewhere, but now, they stand before you, ready to serve."
Aditya surveyed the soldiers: they were clad in sturdy leather armor, holding arquebus muskets, and carrying cartridge boxes. Crossbows were slung across their backs, with quivers of arrows on their right sides and daggers on their left.
Grateful for Shadi Khan's efforts, Aditya saw this prepared force as a solid foundation for his private army. "Thank you, Shadi Khan," he said sincerely. "Your efforts are deeply appreciated."
Shadi Khan, bowing respectfully, then signaled the five subedars: Amit, Manish, Nilesh, Deepak, and Ratnakar. Aditya's respect for these veterans grew as he observed their readiness and the potential suppressed by past prejudices.
"They've agreed to join your ranks," Shadi Khan continued. "Ensure equal salaries for all soldiers as per imperial customs. I'll manage logistics until your first sales are made."
Aditya nodded, acknowledging Shadi Khan's advice. Turning to the subedars, he greeted them warmly and assured them of fair treatment. "Your leadership is valued. Under my command, I promise you will rise to great heights, regardless of your caste or community. No one will dare to look down upon you or your families. However, sacrifices will be necessary. You give me your blood, and I shall give you authority."
The subedars' eyes sparkled with hope. Respect was something they had longed for, and if the prince could elevate their families' status, they would be willing to give their lives for it. They knelt before Aditya, placing their fists over their hearts as they pledged their allegiance. This was a profound moment, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
Aditya thanked Shadi Khan and requested to take the soldiers outside the royal fort for training. As they left the fort, he felt a surge of determination to transform these skilled warriors into an elite fighting force.
Outside the fort, Aditya divided the soldiers into five companies of 250 each, restructuring the ranks according to their hierarchy.
He addressed the newly promoted colonels again to clear his directions. " I believe in unity. As officials, you must uphold this principle within your ranks, ensuring no soldier is discriminated. There will be times when people other than your community will join but you will have to treat everyone as one unit. With discipline and valor, we will build a formidable army that no force in the world shall dare to challenge."
The colonels listened with anticipation, eager to prove themselves under Aditya's command.
With the new structure in place, Aditya surveyed his battalion with a sense of pride.
As the colonels dispersed to their respective companies, Aditya felt a surge of optimism. This was just the beginning of their journey, and he was confident that together, they would achieve greatness.
Aditya's voice rang out across the training grounds, commanding the soldiers to form lines and prepare to fire. With anticipation, he watched as they took their positions, eager to witness the prowess of his newly formed battalion.
However, his excitement quickly turned to disappointment as the soldiers unleashed their shots in a chaotic frenzy. The sound of gunfire filled the air, but there was no harmony, no coordination. Bullets flew wildly, missing their targets by a wide margin.
Aditya's brow furrowed in frustration as he observed the disarray before him. "What is this?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disappointment. "This is not how a disciplined army operates! We need precision, coordination, discipline!"
The soldiers looked sheepish under Aditya's stern gaze, realizing their failure to meet his expectations. Amidst the chaos, there was one glimmer of hope – the accuracy of the crossbow shots stood out amidst the chaos of the gunfire.
Aditya's eyes narrowed as he took note of this discrepancy. "Why is it that our crossbow shots are more accurate than our gunshots?" he mused aloud, directing his question to the soldiers.
A silence fell over the training grounds as the soldiers exchanged uncertain glances, unable to provide a satisfactory answer to their commander's query. It was clear that there was much work to be done if they were to become the disciplined fighting force that Aditya envisioned.
Aditya stood at the forefront of the open grounds, his gaze focused and determined as he orchestrated the formation of his battalion. With precise instructions, he organized the soldiers into five long lines, each comprised of a full company with colonels positioned strategically in the middle for command.
As the soldiers assumed their positions, a sense of anticipation filled the air. Aditya's voice cut through the silence, clear and commanding. "Ready your weapons," he ordered, his tone firm but composed.
"Fire!" Aditya's voice rang out, and a thunderous volley of gunfire erupted. The first line retreated, reloading for their next turn. Without pause, another volley followed, each shot synchronized to perfection.
In just two minutes, ten rounds of volley were unleashed, striking targets with devastating accuracy. The dummy targets were obliterated, and even the surrounding trees and plants felt the force of the onslaught.
The soldiers and commanders watched in awe as Aditya's meticulously planned strategy unfolded. They saw their prince in a new light – a leader capable of achieving feats that surpassed all expectations.
Aditya gestured for the five newly promoted colonels to approach him. As they gathered around, he could sense their eagerness to share their thoughts on the exercise.
Manish spoke first, his voice filled with awe. "Your Highness, this surpasses anything I've ever witnessed in my three years of service. The impact of this tactic is beyond imagination."
Nilesh nodded in agreement, his eyes alight with excitement. "Indeed, Your Highness. If we can achieve such precision with every shot, there will be no need to aim – success will be guaranteed. But do we have strategies for close-range combat?"
Amit, ever the inquisitive one, couldn't contain his curiosity. "Your Highness, may I ask how you conceived of this tactic?"
Ratnakar offered a humble apology before voicing his concerns. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but while synchronized fire is effective, maintaining such precision in the chaos of battle may prove challenging. As the enemy draws near, panic may set in among our soldiers."
Deepak, known for his practicality, raised a valid point. "Your Highness, commanding long lines of soldiers amidst the chaos of battle presents its own challenges. Communication may become difficult, especially for those far from the commander."
Aditya listened intently to the feedback from the colonels, nodding thoughtfully as they expressed their thoughts and concerns about the new tactics of line formation. With a reassuring smile, he addressed each of them in turn.
"Don't worry, Manish," Aditya began, turning to Colonel Manish with a confident demeanor. "I've secured good guns from the Portuguese, and in just three months, we'll be able to fire twice the amount we're doing now in one minute. We're on the brink of a revolutionary advancement."
Turning to Colonel Nilesh, Aditya continued, "For close combat scenarios, I've arranged for the acquisition of repeating crossbows. They offer a versatile solution, and with some modifications, we can optimize their effectiveness. Additionally, we'll explore better utilization of the army's daggers to bolster our close-quarters combat strategies."
Addressing Colonel Ratnakar next, Aditya emphasized the importance of discipline in maintaining the effectiveness of the line formation. "Continuous line formation requires unwavering discipline," he explained. "We must act as one cohesive unit, synchronized in our movements and actions. I have a method in mind, and I'll personally guide you through it to ensure its success. We'll begin tomorrow at dawn."
In response to Colonel Amit's question, Aditya hesitated briefly before replying playfully, "That's a long story. Just know that I am blessed by Lord Rudra, and we are to become his holy army by following these ideas. Don't disclose my secret, alright?"
The colonels cracked into laugher in response.
Lastly, Aditya turned to Colonel Deepak to discuss command communication. "To facilitate effective communication on the battlefield, we'll introduce drums and whistles to each line," he explained. "This will ensure clear and coordinated commands are relayed across our formations, maintaining cohesion and efficiency."
As Aditya outlined his plans and addressed the concerns of the colonels, he could sense a growing confidence and determination among them. Each colonel nodded in understanding, reassured by Aditya's strategic vision and commitment to excellence. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the challenges ahead but also recognizing the potential for greatness under Aditya's leadership.
As the discussion concluded, Aditya turned his attention to all the colonels assembled before him. "For now, divide the group into designated platoons," he instructed, his voice carrying authority. "Have them repeat the line formation exercises for today. We must be prepared for the long march to the kingdom of Rewari in one month, where we'll hold the weapon exhibition. I want to rely on you more than the royal guards."
The colonels nodded in understanding, their expressions resolute as they absorbed Aditya's instructions. "You can count on us, Your Highness," Colonel Manish affirmed, speaking for the group. "We'll ensure the soldiers are trained and ready for whatever lies ahead."
Pleased with their commitment, Aditya continued, "Excellent. I trust you'll have everything in order before the day of our march arrives." With a final nod of assurance, he began to explain in detail the formations and strategies they would employ, ensuring that each colonel understood their role and responsibilities.
As the evening descended upon the training grounds, the battalion was divided into smaller platoons, each led by their second lieutenants. Aditya observed from a distance, the soldiers practicing their shots under the watchful eye of their superiors. A sense of weariness washed over him as he realized how much work still lay ahead to achieve his ambitions.
Despite the exhaustion, Aditya couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Shadi Khan for providing him with this prepared army. They may not be perfect, but they could aim, fire, maintain formation, and follow commands. It was a start, albeit a modest one.
As he watched the soldiers go through the motions, Aditya couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. The battalion operated with a semblance of order, but it was clear they still had a long way to go. Yet, amidst the imperfection, Aditya held onto a glimmer of hope. He believed that with time, dedication, and rigorous training, this ragtag army could one day evolve into the most formidable force the world had ever seen.
With that conviction in his heart, Aditya silently resolved to continue pushing forward, determined to mold his army into an unstoppable force that would shape the destiny of the empire.