Two hours later, the system had already made arrangements, and the army was positioned near the targeted points. In the Nizam's chamber, everyone gathered once again. Although it was 10 PM, the atmosphere was charged with high spirits. Mahbub looked at his commanders and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Yes, Your Highness, we are ready," they all replied in unison. Mahbub nodded, then raised his head toward the sky and prayed earnestly:
"O Allah, shower Your mercy upon us and grant us the strength to reclaim our homeland, which has been taken from us due to our negligence, misguidance, and disunity. Undoubtedly, You are our Creator and Master, and You have power over all things. Whatever You will, that alone happens."
After the prayer, Mahbub lit the flare and signaled the army to mobilize.
Meanwhile, around 9:30 PM, near the Hyderabad and Secunderabad border, the Nizam's commanders gathered in the command tent. Outside, the disciplined 40,000-strong army waited in solemn silence, encircling the British-controlled Sikandarabad cantonment.
The atmosphere inside the tent was thick with tension and anticipation. General Ali Rahman, a towering figure with grizzled features and a commanding presence, stood over a central table where a detailed map of Secunderabad was spread out before him. Beside him was General Devendra Pratap Singh, a skilled cavalry commander known for his tactical brilliance and fierce loyalty. Mehbub had always believed in unity, ensuring that the army was a blend of diverse faiths and backgrounds, united by a common cause.
Ali Rahman spoke first, his voice both commanding and calm. "We have surrounded the British and removed their surveyors. They are now unaware of our presence. The plan is simple but must be executed with precision. Our 40,000 troops will act in waves, breaking their defenses before they can call for reinforcements."
As he spoke, he turned to each general in turn, assigning their tasks with practiced precision.
General Devendra Pratap Singh was assigned to lead the cavalry, a force of 5,000 mounted warriors. Known for their speed and precision, the cavalry would launch the first attack at dawn, charging from the eastern flank of Secunderabad. "Your task," Ali Rahman said, pointing to a marked area on the map, "is to sow chaos among their front lines. Distract them from our main force and ensure they do not regroup quickly."
Artillery Command was handed to Lieutenant Faizullah Beg, a young yet experienced commander who had honed his skills in artillery during his studies in France. "Faizullah," Rahman instructed, "your artillery will be positioned here," he tapped on a hill overlooking Secunderabad, "near the western outskirts. You will open fire once the cavalry breaks through their front lines. We need their defenses weakened before the infantry moves in."
The Infantry Assault, comprising 20,000 soldiers, would be led by Colonel Rajan Iyer, another commander renowned as a strategic genius in urban warfare. "Your infantry will be the backbone of this assault," Rahman told him. "Once the cavalry and artillery have softened the British lines, you will lead your forces in a three-pronged attack from the north, south, and west. You must breach the cantonment walls and take control of their command center."
The Guerrilla Forces, numbering 5,000, would be led by Major Qasim Ali, an expert in unconventional warfare. "Qasim," Rahman said, looking intently at the younger commander, "you and your men will strike at their supply lines, cut off their communication posts, and ensure that no reinforcements arrive from neighboring areas. You will operate under the cover of darkness."
The Logistics Forces, also numbering 5,000, would be commanded by Major Suraj Behera, a skilled strategist with a sharp mind. "Suraj, you have an important task: to ensure a steady flow of logistics during our advance," Rahman said. Suraj nodded seriously, understanding the gravity of his responsibility.
Rahman straightened up, looking around at the assembled officers. "Timing will be critical. We strike at 10:00 sharp. The British will not be expecting an assault. Devendra, your cavalry will be the first to engage. You'll charge from the eastern flank to draw their forces out. Meanwhile, Faizullah's artillery will soften their defenses from the west."
He then turned to Colonel Rajan Iyer. "Once the cavalry disrupts their lines and the artillery weakens their walls, your infantry will storm the gates. The British will likely retreat into their heavily fortified barracks, but that's where Qasim's forces will come in. Major Qasim, you'll ensure that no message for reinforcements gets out."
Devendra Pratap Singh spoke up, his deep voice resonating in the tent. "And what of their leaders? The British will have their top officers within the cantonment."
"That's where you'll focus, Devendra," Ali Rahman replied decisively. "Once their lines are broken, you must hunt down and capture or eliminate the British officers. Without leadership, their forces will collapse."
The plan was comprehensive, and each role was crucial to its success:
General Devendra Pratap Singh (Cavalry Commander): Leading the cavalry in a high-speed frontal assault, creating chaos in the British ranks and preventing them from regrouping.
Lieutenant Faizullah Beg (Artillery Commander): Bombarding the British cantonment's outer defenses from a distance, weakening their strongholds and opening a path for the infantry.
Colonel Rajan Iyer (Infantry Commander): Leading the infantry's three-pronged attack on the weakened cantonment, storming the walls, and securing key positions.
Major Qasim Ali (Guerrilla Commander): Leading guerrilla forces to cut off supply and communication lines, ensuring no British reinforcements arrive from surrounding areas.
Major Suraj Behera (Logistic Commander): Providing logistics to the entire army and defending against enemy attacks aimed at cutting off supplies.
As the planning session concluded, the commanders filed out of the tent, each fully aware of the crucial role they were to play in this pivotal battle. Ali Rahman remained behind for a moment, surveying the map once more. The plan was solid, but he knew that no plan survives contact with the enemy.
At 10 o'clock, everyone saw a flare shot into the air—this was the moment they had been waiting for.
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Important Note: These armies did not come out of thin air; they were trained from childhood and studied in various countries. Everything system does have a logical reason behind it, but I will not go into detail about it here.