[Disclaimer:
The following chapter contains detailed descriptions of processes related to the production of smokeless powder for fictional purposes only. This information is not intended for practical application and should not be attempted in any form. The author does not endorse or promote any illegal or dangerous activities. The portrayal of these processes is meant solely to enhance the narrative and illustrate the ingenuity of the characters in the context of the story.]
The next day, I found myself mulling over what Sufiyan had said about distracting the British. At first, his suggestion seemed valid, but after much thought, I came to a different conclusion.
This was a grassroots movement—one that the British wouldn't even see coming. By the time they realized what was happening, it would already be too late for them to respond effectively.
But as I sat there planning a sudden realization struck me. We wouldn't always be fighting the British with songs, stories, and subtle movements. At some point, we'd be forced to meet them on the battlefield. When that day came, would we still rely on sticks and swords?
the thought of fighting the British head-on, with swords and sticks—it felt like walking into an unwinnable battle.
I knew we were capable. History was filled with stories of brave souls who had fought for their land and their people. But those stories also came with a cost—a cost paid in lives.
The image of men and women, the people I was trying to protect, falling in battle against the British haunted me. How many lives would we lose if we chose to fight this way? Could we really afford that kind of sacrifice? Could I?
It wasn't that we couldn't fight them with such weapons. We could. But the cost would be far too high—too many lives would be lost.
No, we needed something better. Something that would give us the upper hand when the time for a full confrontation came. At that moment, it became clear that if we truly wanted to win, we'd have to create weapons that could challenge the might of the British army.
Without wasting time, I called for Sufiyan. I knew he was already busy with the preparations for Awaz-e-Hind, but this was just as urgent. He arrived after some time, understandably delayed by his packed schedule.
I laid out my plan. "We need to create weapons. Not openly, of course—we'll need a cover, perhaps an industry or some other facade."
Sufiyan listened intently before replying, "We can do it, but you're right. We must be careful. We'll need a legitimate front."
After some time, as we discussed options, a thought suddenly struck me. Months ago, at the beginning of this journey, I had planned to establish a Carriage company. The idea had completely slipped my mind after all the twists and turns we'd been through, but now it seemed like the perfect solution.
A Carriage company—it was brilliant. Guns needed wood and metal, and so did Carriage. We could gather the necessary resources without raising any suspicion. It would be the ideal cover.
I turned to Sufiyan, feeling a surge of excitement. "What if we use the Carriage company as a front? It makes perfect sense. We'll be able to retrieve wood, metal, and everything we need without raising any alarms."
Sufiyan's eyes lit up as he nodded in agreement. "That's a smart move. The British wouldn't question it. They'd think we're just another business."
With that, the path forward became clearer. We had our cover, and now it was time to make this plan a reality.
So I turned to Sufiyan and said, "First, focus on completing the Awaz-e-Hind plan. While the British are busy trying to suppress that movement, we'll quietly begin laying the groundwork for our factory. In the meantime, I'll work on finalizing the designs for both the weapons and the Carriages."
He seemed visibly relieved that I wasn't adding more to his already full plate. The stress on his face eased, and I realized just how much pressure he was under. He agreed with a nod and quickly left to continue his preparations.
I started with the design of the Carriage. There wasn't much I could change, but I focused on optimizing what was already there. For the wheels, I decided to use natural rubber bands at the end base. The primary change I wanted to implement was a shock absorber to enhance the ride quality.
There were two types of shock absorbers I could consider: leaf springs and coil springs.
Leaf Springs: These were ideal for heavy-duty carriages, capable of carrying substantial weights or transporting goods. Their thick layers would distribute the weight evenly and provide the necessary strength.
Coil Springs: For lighter passenger carts, I opted for coil springs instead, as they offered the best cushioning effect.
For mid-capacity vehicles, I planned to combine thinner leaf springs with coil springs to achieve the best results. This hybrid approach would ensure comfort while maintaining the necessary durability for various loads.
Next came the actual heavy task of designing the actual weapon there were too many better weapons that we could use against brithishers but using many advanced weapons can also cause disaster, I didn't want to introduce too many advanced weapons.
So, I turned my attention to the rifles that the British would be using—the Enfield Pattern 1853 Rifle. I recalled how this weapon operated: it was a muzzle-loading rifle that required soldiers to load bullets from the front opening. They had to wrap the bullet and gunpowder in paper, bite off the end, and then pour the powder and bullet into the barrel.
Understanding the British's reliance on this cumbersome loading process gave me an insight into how we could gain an advantage. I envisioned creating self-contained metallic cartridges for our rifles. This innovation would allow for quicker reloading, giving our soldiers the edge in battle.
Acording to histrory The British will have have their own self-contained metallic cartridges by 1861, so introducing our version in 1857 would not create too large of a gap in technology but would provide us with a significant advantage on the battlefield.
As I delved deeper into my thoughts about the main firearm for our cause, three rifles came to mind: the Martini-Henry, the Springfield Model 1861, and the Lee-Enfield.
Martini-Henry: This rifle, known for its single-shot breech-loading mechanism, was widely used by British forces and was famous for its accuracy and powerful .577/450 Martini-Henry cartridge. Its breech-loading feature allowed for faster reloading compared to muzzle-loading rifles, giving soldiers a critical advantage in battle. The Martini-Henry was also set to be used in the Anglo-Afghan wars, making it particularly ironic to turn this weapon against the British in our own fight for independence.
Springfield Model 1861: This rifle was a muzzle-loader, famous for its use during the American Civil War. It had a .58 calibre and was known for its reliability and accuracy. However, the muzzle-loading mechanism would be a disadvantage in our upcoming battles, as it required more time to reload, and we needed a firearm that could give us a quicker response in the field.
Lee-Enfield: This rifle was developed later and became iconic for its magazine-fed design, which allowed for rapid firing. It was chambered in .303 British cartridges, providing decent firepower. However, introducing it in 1857 would be too early for our cause, as it wouldn't be fully operational until the late 19th century.
After careful consideration, I concluded that the Martini-Henry rifle would be our best choice.
I meticulously noted down every detail of the Martini-Henry's mechanics, knowing that understanding its inner workings would be crucial for both the production and effective training of our future soldiers.
The rifle's action was a falling block design, which allowed the shooter to load a single cartridge directly into the chamber by lifting the breechblock. The rifle featured a single trigger mechanism, which was simple yet effective. The Martini-Henry had a long, rifled barrel, which provided enhanced accuracy. The rifling consisted of grooves that spun the bullet upon firing, stabilizing its flight path. The rifle was equipped with iron sights, adjustable for range. The front sight was a blade, while the rear sight was a notch,
The .577/450 Martini-Henry cartridge was a self-contained metallic cartridge, that combined the bullet, gunpowder, and primer in one unit. This design significantly expedited the reloading process compared to traditional methods.
As I continued my planning for the creation of better weaponry, I realized the necessity of experimenting with cartridges to develop an improved form of gunpowder. The Martini-Henry rifle, though effective, utilized traditional black powder, which had several drawbacks. I aimed to transition to smokeless powder, akin to that used in the Lebel Model 1886 rifle.
Smokeless powder generates significantly less smoke compared to black powder. This advantage allows soldiers to maintain visibility on the battlefield, Smokeless powder is more efficient, providing a greater amount of energy per unit weight. This efficiency translates into higher velocities for projectiles, enhancing accuracy and range. Smokeless powder produces less residue, resulting in fewer deposits in the firearm.
Smokeless powder is less sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations compared to black powder. This stability makes it more reliable in various environmental conditions. This will also help as different regions in India will have different climates.
To create smokeless powder, I would need to conduct several experiments, as I only had a basic understanding of its composition. Unlike black powder, which consists of a specific ratio of potassium nitrate (saltpetre), charcoal, and sulfur (75% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal, and 10% sulfur), smokeless powder relies primarily on nitrocellulose.
Nitrocellulose, also known as gun cotton, was discovered by Christian Friedrich Schönbein in 1846, just a year back[currently its September 1847 according to the timeline in the story] but its potential as a propellant was not fully realized until later.
To create smokeless powder I have to get three materials cotton, nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Getting cotton would be easy, but arriving at nitric acid and sulfuric acid may pose some difficulty but it's not impossible we can also manufacture the nitric and sulfuric acid.
Next, Combine concentrated nitric acid and concentrated sulfuric acid in a controlled environment to create a nitrating solution. The typical ratio could be around 1 part nitric acid to 2 parts sulfuric acid. After that we have to Soak the cotton in the nitrating solution for a specific period (usually a few minutes), ensuring it is fully saturated. Then Remove the cotton and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the nitration reaction. This step is crucial to prevent further nitration, which can lead to instability.
After this Dry the nitrated cotton in a safe, ventilated area, away from any heat sources and I have to Avoid direct sunlight and open flames, as nitrated cellulose is highly flammable.
After this comes the difficult task of grinding Once dried, the nitrated cotton can be finely ground to create a powder. However, this step will have to be approached with caution, as finely powdered nitrocellulose can be sensitive to shock. After that Store the resulting smokeless powder in airtight .577/450 cartridges.
I decided to name the rifle Karna-1847, a nod to its origins on our soil and a tribute to the legendary warrior Karna from our cultural heritage. This name embodied the spirit of strength and resilience that we needed as we prepared to face the British forces.
After completing the design for the cartridges and the Karna rifle, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. This was more than just an undertaking; it was a pivotal moment that could alter the course of history.
I spent the next few weeks refining and improving the Awaz-e-Hind plan, ensuring that every detail was meticulously crafted to maximize our chances of success.
During this period, my father also instructed me to start practising with both the sword and the gun. I began my training, I found it easy maybe because of my power. The movements came easily to me as if my body instinctively understood the rhythm of combat.
Every evening, I would practice in the secluded courtyard of our estate, where the soft glow of the setting sun illuminated my path. My sword felt like an extension of my arm, gliding effortlessly through the air. I learned the importance of precision and timing as I sparred with a wooden dummy, envisioning the enemy before me. Each swing and thrust was accompanied by the adrenaline rush of anticipation—preparing me not only for the physical demands of battle but also for the mental resilience needed in the face of adversity.
With the gun, I honed my aim using a makeshift target. The satisfying thud of the bullet hitting the target filled me with confidence. I practised loading, aiming, and firing repeatedly until it became second nature. As my skills improved, so did my understanding of the responsibility that came with wielding such power.