The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 54 Unexpected Encounter
December 1723, 12, Bikaner town in Rajput (now Rajasthan, India).

Historically, India has always been impacted by powerful forces from the north.Due to the existence of the Khyber Pass, from about 2000 to 1500 BC, the Aryans from Central Asia continued to come over to fight in the wild, gradually conquered the Dravidians in the Indus River Basin, and spread to the Ganges River Basin. Many countries were established, and the Vedic culture, which is famous for its caste system, was also established.

After the Aryans, along the Khyber Pass, Macedonians, Greeks, Romans, Turks, Afghans, and Mongols formed teams to come in to spawn monsters. Some took some loot and left, while others settled down. , began to establish a dynasty, promote religion, sow genes, and assimilate civilization.

By the way, during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Wang Xuance led thousands of soldiers and horses borrowed from Tubo and Nepal (also known as Nepal). He also gained experience in fighting monsters and defeated the most powerful Kingdom of Zhongtianzhu in the Indian subcontinent at that time, shocking the country. the entire South Asian subcontinent.

When Babur, the sixth grandson of Timur and the founding emperor of the Mughal Empire, led a group of Turks into India, they first controlled the Punjab region, which was the best passage connecting Central Asia and the South Asian subcontinent.Although there are many woodland and water networks within the territory, the agricultural output and natural environment are also relatively superior.

According to the previous experience of "fighting monsters" in India, any conqueror who passes through the Khyber Pass will use this place as an advance base or refuge area.But because of this factor, it is difficult for any local force to occupy it for a long time, and it is very easy to be annexed by the next wave of conquerors.The solution is to further expand and extend the sphere of influence to the Ganges River Basin to ensure that it has sufficient strategic space and confrontational strength.This also made Punjab itself the birthplace of various North Indian empires. It was naturally impossible for the Mughals in the 16th century to break this rule.

In contrast, the situation in the western region headed by the Rajputs is more complicated.Although the Indus River also flows through it, a large area of ​​land within it is desert terrain.This makes settlements relatively scattered, which is not conducive to the formation of regional power based on agriculture.Coupled with its proximity to the Indian Ocean and mountains, it creates a unique environment that is relatively closed and unattractive.Several generations of conquerors in history found a respite locally and gradually merged into the famous Rajputs.

But northwest India was not spared from the four wars. Since it controlled the middle road to the mouth of the Indus River, it was naturally conquered by the powerful Mughal dynasty and brought under its rule.

Those merchants or travelers from the East and the West, whether they choose the Ganges waterway or the Afghan mountain road, will inevitably set foot in the Indus River Basin.In addition, further south is the Gulf of Cambay, where the sea gathers, making the "barren land" of the Rajputs very strategic.

There is a vast desert in the Rajput region, which is mainly composed of sand dunes, sandy plains and steep barren hills, with undulating terrain.Sand dunes are constantly moving, changing shape and size.Older sand dunes are fixed or semi-fixed, and some are more than 100 meters high.There are several salt lakes scattered in the desert.

There are seasonal streams after rain in some highlands. The Rajput tribes scattered in the desert mostly rely on pools to store rainwater for drinking and domestic water.Although the groundwater level is low, most of it is salt water and cannot be drank directly.In the oasis valley, areas with water sources for irrigation produce crops such as wheat, cotton, millet, sesame, beans, and peppers. However, the yield is not high and it is difficult to meet the basic needs of the local people. This makes the life of the Rajputs always difficult. It’s been a hard life haha.

Although the resources here are poor and there is no output, the people here are strong and strong, and it has always been the main source of troops for the Mughal Empire's cavalry.However, during the Aurangzeb period, in order to force the Rajput Rothos to convert to the True God religion, local Hindus were also forced to pay a poll tax, which triggered a Rajput war that lasted for several years.

In this desolate land, although the Mughal Empire won a superficial victory, it wasted a huge amount of money and depleted its national power.Moreover, Aurangzeb's strong behavior also aroused the hostility of the Rajputs, causing the imperial army to lose the loyalty and service of a group of brave and capable cavalry. It can be said that the gain outweighs the loss.

After the Sino-Indian War, the Mughal Empire fell into decline and division. In the vast and desolate land of Rajput, the Rajputs took advantage of the situation and expelled Mughal officials and a small number of surveillance troops. Obtained a status of limited autonomy.

More than 8000 Qi State garrison troops in Xizhou arrived at this small town called Bikaner after a long journey of more than ten days.There are four or five Rajput tribes scattered in the town and the surrounding oasis valley, with a population of about [-]. They are ruled by a prince who calls himself Jagdeep.

After some force deterrence, the Jagdeep prince was forced to donate the tribe's few precious grains and some cattle and sheep to the Xizhou garrison.Accordingly, the garrison promised the other party that it would not launch an attack on this town and surrounding tribes, and would leave the place after a few days of rest. "Currently, the entire army has entered the hinterland of Rajput. We have three options for the next military operation." Jiang Chuntang summoned more than a dozen major officers and tactical staff to discuss the army's follow-up action plan. "First, the major Exaggerate the momentum and sweep the surrounding oases and river valleys, creating the impression that the Nawab Kingdom is planning to capture the entire Rajput region; secondly, raise its troops and continue to march eastward, pretending to attack Delhi, forcing the Mughal Empire to Withdraw troops from the Punjab front line; thirdly, the entire army moved north and penetrated into the back of the Mughal Empire Army, creating a suspicion of troops and causing the Mughal Empire Army to stop its offensive posture and withdraw to respond. Tell me, which one do you think? Which option is the safest?”

"Sir, I suggest taking the first plan of action." Chi Zhaorong, the general staff officer of the garrison and Xuangjie Colonel (major), said: "After our garrison has stationed a battalion of officers and soldiers in Multan, the current strength of the garrison is only More than [-]. With this force alone, whether it was driving directly to Delhi, threatening the Mughal capital, or raiding the rear of the Mughal army on the Punjab front line, it was still slightly weak and unable to form a strategic deterrent. The entire Rajput region has a small population, and the Mughal Empire's rule in the region is weak. In addition, the local Rajputs hate the Mughal Empire extremely, so they can become our natural allies. So. , I suggest that the troops sweep the oases and river valleys in the surrounding areas, expel the small number of Mughal Empire troops in the area, attack the pro-Mughal Empire tribal armed forces, and mess up the entire Rajput region."

"I also prefer the first option." Dou Jingjie, deputy commander of the garrison and commander of the [-]st Battalion and Colonel Xuangjie (Major), nodded in agreement: "More than [-] of our garrison have gone deep into the hinterland of Rajput. Like a lone army. If we go further east or north for hundreds of kilometers, not to mention the high probability of running into the Mughal Empire army, even supplies along the way will be a big problem. Therefore, we might as well raid the surrounding areas and attack the Mughal Empire. The foundation of the empire's rule in the region, and the organization of those Rajputs who were interested in resisting the rule of the Mughal Empire, would definitely shock the Mughal Empire, and then send a large army to quell the chaos. In this way, It can also ease the war situation in the northwest region.”

"Well, in that case, after we rest for two days, we will divide our troops into two groups and sweep the oases and river valleys in the surrounding areas. All tribes and villages loyal to the Mughal Empire will be attacked mercilessly." Jiang Chuntang saw everyone nodding. Favoring the first plan, he nodded slightly and said, "In addition, we will draw out the Rajput soldiers from the army and ask them to mobilize..."

"Woooooooo..."

Suddenly there was a rush of horn sound outside, sharp and harsh.

An enemy is coming!

An officer on duty quickly rushed into the camp, with a bit of surprise on his face, and loudly reported: "Sir, the cavalry sentry reported that thousands of Mughal Empire cavalry regiments were found about six kilometers northeast of the camp! ...The enemy troops are rushing toward our headquarters!"

"..." Jiang Chuntang stood up suddenly and immediately ordered: "All officers quickly return to the team and prepare to fight!"

"Yes, sir!"

"..."

"Damn, this Mughal army is actually thinking of us, and they all want to steal each other's retreat from here!"

(End of this chapter)