Chapter 1657 - 1563: Relocation of the Capital

Chapter 1657: Chapter 1563: Relocation of the Capital

Northern India, the Doab Front.

General Lake pointed his pipe toward the distant smoke-filled Aigar Fort, turning proudly to Sir Fokner: "Now Scindia has to worry about the Mysore Army launching an attack from Indore direction, forcing him to move his soldiers south. These actions will severely weaken his army morale.

"Look how smoothly our progress has been; it was unimaginable half a month ago."

Just a week ago, news from central India came, revealing that Mysore’s 20,000 elite troops abandoned cannons and logistical supplies to swiftly surround Pune.

Although Holkar’s Cavalry immediately cut off this corps’ supply, their weak infantry was powerless to stop the Mysoreans’ desperate, frenzied attack.

Just three days ago, Sultan Tipu’s eldest son, Prince Fateh, personally led a death squad into Pune, obtaining ample logistical supplies within the city.

According to Lake’s assessment, Tipu’s main force should soon arrive in Pune, leaving Holkar with only a small northern territory.

Though Scindia and Holkar had conflicts, he likely wouldn’t want to see the latter obliterated, as they both belong to the Maratha Confederacy.

Moreover, even if Scindia doesn’t provide reinforcements, he must strengthen his defensive line to the south, or should Holkar surrender, Mysore’s large military will immediately flood into Gwalior.

Mysore has not been defeated even under powerful British siege, and no force in India dares underestimate them.

Hence, Lake decisively ordered the full army to attack Aigar Fort.

Indeed, as he expected, his 4,000 vanguards broke through all outer defenses of Aigar within less than a day.

Now his twelve-pound cannon is fiercely pounding the fort, it’s only a matter of time before the demoralized Scindia army surrenders.

As if to confirm his words, a courier rode in, saluting him: "General, Lieutenant Colonel Yebolite wishes to negotiate with you."

Lieutenant Colonel Yebolite is the Commander Peron left in Aigar.

Lake chuckled, waved his hand: "Let him lay down his arms first, and then we can discuss negotiations."

"Yes, General!"

The courier left, and Sir Fokner immediately praised Lake profusely.

After all, this battle saw us lose less than 30 men and secure the strategically crucial town in northern Scindia, a feat worthy of any amount of praise.

Yet the British did not know that the Scindia army’s panic-stricken defeat was not due to a southern threat from Mysore but rather a major crisis in Delhi.

...

Northwest Indian state, Marwar.

A force of over 700 moved slowly along the Shivara Desert’s edge under Mysore army protection.

The main constituents of this group were members of the Mughal Royal Family and great nobles.

Occupying countless carts trailing behind were not family members but fortunes amassed over centuries in Delhi.

Although Marwar, founded by the Rajput people, was not small, covering nearly seventy percent of Mysore’s area, its weak national power hindered by extensive deserts kept it from entangling in major power struggles.

In truth, Marwar was frequently plundered by Scindia and Holkar, holding deep resentment towards the Maratha Confederacy.

Thus they gladly turned a blind eye to the recent Mysore army who had taught Scindia a lesson, especially since Mysore handed 100,000 Rupees in "passage fees" to Marwar’s King, Man Singh.

Previously, Mysore army also landed at Port of Puj via the Northern Arabian Sea, traversing Marwar en route to Delhi.

Those 100,000 silver coins were unquestionably well-spent.

Moreover, even if Tipu refrained from payments, Marwar’s power could hardly confront the Mysore army anyway, perhaps only withholding supplies.

When Delhi’s nobles’ convoy majestically arrived at Port of Puj and boarded waiting Mysore trading ships, Emperor Alam II, having departed earlier under the escort of over a hundred Mysore soldiers, reached India’s western Jor Port.

Indeed, these grand Delhi nobles and their massive wealth were only a cover for the Emperor. Should leaks occur, the Maratha Confederacy would focus on this flamboyant convoy while neglecting the lightly equipped Alam II.

Jor Port lies only 90 kilometers from Pune, with a developed network connecting the two.

Two days later, Alam II took a ship to arrive outside Pune City. By then, Prince Fateh of Mysore had prepared Shaniwar Wada Palace anew as the Emperor’s temporary residence.

Meanwhile, a more magnificent palace began construction in Northeast Pune, to be named the Red Fort.

Alam II admitted that coming to Pune involved gambling—if Mysoreans broke their promise, he’d be powerless to resist.

Yet even so, he wouldn’t land in worse circumstances than those in Delhi.

Unexpectedly, after a simple "capital-shifting" ceremony at Shaniwar Wada Palace, Prince Fateh’s first action was to allow him to recruit Imperial Guard from Pune locals.

Even the 6,000 captive Holkar soldiers became available for his selection.

With sufficient financial support, a new Imperial Guard of 4,000 took form within a week.

Once Delhi’s nobles arrived in Pune and took charge of the Emperor’s army, Mysoreans promptly withdrew, stationing on the Pima River’s north bank 100 kilometers from the city.

In the spacious Imperial Palace, Alam II felt genuine freedom and the taste of power for the first time!

At least, currently, the wide area west of Sina River, spanning hundreds of kilometers, belonged to him.

Yes, it previously belonged to Holkar.

Like an addiction, the Emperor began to exercise his power incessantly.

First appointing officials for Pune and surrounding areas, then arranging tax collection, judges, religion, amongst others without Mysore interference.

Simultaneously, Alam II issued a decree, formally conferring Tipu as Sultan and bestowing Deccan Plateau governance.

Yes, the Mughal Emperor did not shy from creating "Sultans," as he was "Padishah," the King of Kings, able to rule over Sultans.

The Mughal Dynasty history had witnessed multiple Sultan appointments, such as in the Sindh Region.

Shortly after, Sultan Tipu, as a model, made the first imperial visit to Pune, bringing tens of thousands of Rupees in taxes, calling all Indian states to make allegiance.

Even Mysore and Holkar armies originally engaged in fierce battles near Indore gradually calmed down.