The sun rose like any other day over New Delhi, casting its golden glow over the bustling city. From the crowded streets of Chandni Chowk to the towering skyscrapers of Gurugram, life thrummed with the energy of a nation on the rise. No one could have imagined that this day would mark the end of the world as they knew it.
In the heart of the Prime Minister's Office, Arjun Mehra adjusted his tie, preparing for another grueling day. His schedule was packed with meetings—defense strategies, international trade talks, and the upcoming climate summit. But as he glanced at the wall clock, a strange sensation prickled at the back of his neck. The room felt... different.
"Sir," his secretary's voice crackled through the intercom, "there's been an unusual report from the Ministry of Science. Something about... well, a nationwide power fluctuation."
Arjun frowned. "Get me Dr. Ishaan Malhotra on the line. And have General Kavita Rao join me in the situation room."
Across the Nation
Simultaneously, across India, something unprecedented was happening.
In Mumbai, a stockbroker froze mid-call as his office window displayed an impossible sight: the Arabian Sea, calm and endless, stretched into the horizon with no sign of neighboring countries.
In Chennai, fishermen returning from their morning haul found the familiar coastline transformed. Where modern shipping routes had once bustled with activity, there was now an eerie emptiness.
In Ladakh, soldiers stationed along the northern border reported a deafening silence. No signs of Chinese patrols, satellite signals, or even the faint hum of drones.
The entire nation was cut off from the world.
The Prime Minister's Address
Within hours, chaos erupted. Social media was flooded with videos of the strange occurrences: skies devoid of international flight paths, seas stretching into uncharted territory, and satellites losing all communication with global networks. The hashtag #IndiaAlone began trending.
Prime Minister Mehra, flanked by his top advisors, stood before the cameras. His usually composed demeanor betrayed a flicker of unease.
"My fellow citizens," he began, his voice steady despite the enormity of the situation, "as of this moment, it appears that India is... alone. Our borders, once shared with neighboring nations, are now surrounded by uninhabited land and unfamiliar seas. All communication with foreign countries has ceased."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "We are investigating this phenomenon with the utmost urgency. I urge you all to remain calm and trust in our government. Together, we will face this challenge."
Discovery
In the weeks that followed, a team of scientists and historians, led by Dr. Ishaan Malhotra and Ananya Sharma, pieced together fragments of the truth. The land surrounding modern India matched historical records from over two millennia ago. Ancient maps placed the nation in a timeline long before the rise of most modern empires.
The realization hit like a thunderclap: India had been transported into the distant past, an era when its future adversaries were still forming.
A New Threat
As India struggled to adjust to its newfound isolation, the first signs of an external challenge emerged. Along the western coast, scouts reported a fleet of ships approaching. Banners unfamiliar to modern eyes bore the emblems of an ancient Persian empire.
The invaders were small in number, armed with swords and bows, but their intentions were clear. They sought to pillage what they believed to be a defenseless land.
General Kavita Rao stood in the war room, her eyes fixed on the satellite feed displaying the approaching ships. "They won't know what hit them," she said, her voice cold and decisive.
The Prime Minister nodded. "Let's make sure they understand: this is not a land of sorcery. This is the power of modern India."
End of Chapter 1
India was no longer just a nation—it was a fortress of unimaginable strength, thrust into a world unprepared for its might. The first battle of a new era was about to begin, and the world would learn the truth: the future had arrived in the past.