Holding the Ground Part-3

Phase 2 battle-Mughal charge

As the Mughals rushed in, Aditya quickly assessed the situation and gave the command for the royal guards to fall in.

Behind them, the musketeers stood ready, muskets loaded, awaiting the signal to unleash their deadly volley fire.

Aditya turned to the musketeers, "Musketeers, Hold your fire! Wait for my signal!"

The tension was palpable as the Mughal infantry charged closer. Aditya called for a customized musket and bandolier(ammo belt supporting other items and ammo). 

He reached into his bandolier and retrieved the fast loading tube, containing the exact amount of gunpowder and a lead ball needed for a single shot. Holding the musket upright, he opened the tube and poured the gunpowder into the barrel, the fine grains quickly settled at the bottom, near the touch hole.

Next, he dropped the lead ball into the barrel, its weight making a satisfying clink as it joined the gunpowder.

Aditya then took out the ramrod, swiftly ramming the bullet and gunpowder down to ensure they were tightly packed. He removed a small amount of fine gunpowder from a separate container and primed the pan (firing mechanism), the final step before pulling the trigger.

Raising the musket to his shoulder, he took aim at an advancing Mughal soldier among the horde, who were roughly 150 meters before reaching the front line. The soldier's shield was lowered slightly, exposing his face. Aditya's eyes narrowed as he focused on his target, his finger poised on the trigger.

'BANG!'

He pulled it, and the slow match ignited the gunpowder in the priming pan with a sharp hiss. A split second later, the main charge in the barrel exploded, propelling the lead ball forward with lethal force.

The bullet flew straight, striking the Mughal soldier squarely in the eye. The impact was devastating as it shattered the eye socket and penetrated deep into the brain. Blood and brain matter splattered as the soldier crumpled to the ground lifeless without even making a sound.

Volley Fire of Line formation

As the first shot rang out, the signal was given. The coordinated volley of musketeers began from the orderly lined up muskets, each man utilizing the customised technique to reload quickly to at least 4-5 times in a minute.

The rotating line formation allowed for a continuous barrage of fire. As one row fired, they would step back to reload, while the next row stepped forward to take their place in a synchronous momentum.

The battlefield erupted in the loud thunders of musket fire. The Mughal infantry, initially caught off guard, tried to raise their shields, but the relentless rain of bullets was overwhelming.

Soldiers fell left and right, some struck in the chest, others in the throat, each shot finding its mark as the cluster of bullets tore through the incoming horde. 

The chaos was palpable. Mughals screamed in pain and terror as their comrades fell beside them. The line formation of Aditya's soldiers maintained a disciplined rhythm, each volley fast and devastating. 

Amidst the smoke and carnage, Aditya reloaded his arquebus with practiced speed, readying himself for another shot. The customissation of Tanegashima Hayago mechanism with the arkbuse proved its worth, allowing his forces to maintain a relentless pace that began to shape the battle into a bloody mess, right from the start

Mughals' reactions in Frontline

As the volley of musket fire rang out, the bullets tore through the air with deadly velocity. Some bullets pierced the shields of the Mughal soldiers, while some make the mughals stagger backward getting them off their sheer force, making them off-guard while exposing their body. Some bullets punched through the soldiers' armor, creating gaping holes in their bodies, blood pouring from the wounds.

There was no place to hide, no respite from the lethal barrage. The Mughal infantry, caught off guard, hesitated in confusion. Some soldiers considered charging forward, while others thought of falling back. But the relentless push from the soldiers in the rear forced them to slide helplessly into the jaws of death.

Chaos reigned in the Mughal ranks. The line formation of Aditya's musketeers was a terrifying spectacle they had neither seen nor heard of before. Its lethality was on full display, the continuous barrage of musket fire halting their advance entirely. The front line of Mughal soldiers turned into a gruesome pile of corpses, bodies crumpling and stacking upon each other under the relentless assault.

Amidst this devastation, murmurs of disbelief spread among the surviving Mughal soldiers.

"What kind of formation is this? I don't want to fight anymore" one soldier gasped, his eyes wide with terror as he saw his comrades fall one by one.

"This is Qayamat! We are doomed!" another cried out, desperately trying to raise his shield higher, only to be struck down moments later.

The relentless fire from Aditya's musketeers showed no signs of stopping, the disciplined rhythm of their volley creating a seemingly impenetrable wall of death.

"Look over there, reinforcements! Charge forward!" shouted an officer, struggling to keep his men from breaking ranks.

But just as it seemed victory was within reach, the sudden shout of enemy officer caught attention of Aditya . A scout was seen rushing toward Aditya's base, but before he could reach the lines, a spear flew through the air, impaling him through the torso. He crumpled to the ground, a pool of blood forming around him.

Emergence of Cavalry from two Fronts

He turned his gaze, far to the northern direction, where the horses could be seen galloping in the dust and the enemy cavalry came into view, their numbers vast and their speed alarming like a tidal wave

"Sir, incoming from south!"

Nilesh suddenly pointed south with a look of panic. Aditya's heart sank as he turned to see another wave of enemy forces incoming from the south. Realizing the enemy strategy, he quickly issued new orders.

Change in Defense tactics 

"Prepare for cavalry!" Aditya shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle. His mind raced as he quickly calculated their next move. The tide of battle was about to shift once more, and he needed to ensure his forces were ready for the impending charge.

"Musketeers continue the barrage, keep them at bay."

"Royal guards Commander Ujjwal, divide your forces and reposition them in front of trenches."

"Colonel Manish ,Colonel Deepak take charge of your batallions. halt the enemy advance at any cost" 

"Roger sir" both responded to Aditya in unison.

"Colonel Ratnakar, reposition the reserve musketeers! Colonel Amit, have the crossbowmen ready to target the cavalry!"

Aditya's orders came swiftly, his strategic mind working overtime to counter the new threat.

The soldiers responded with practiced efficiency, the musketeers adjusting their formation and the crossbowmen readying their bolts. The artillery crews moved into position, their faces set with grim determination. The enemy cavalry approached with frightening speed, but Aditya's forces stood ready, prepared to meet this new challenge head-on.

" Colonel Nilesh, Give the report of Seige! Are they loaded?" 

Aditya turned to Nilesh to know about the status of siege units. 

"More than half of Pinaka (Hwacha known by them) are ready for fire, sir. All Roket artillery are loaded", Nilesh reported the current status of seige.

"Concentrate the rocket barrage on the northern cavalry! Use the Pinaka on the southern front! Prepare the remaining for immediate deployment! Fire when they reach 800 meters." he thought to himself, 'Although Hwacha arrows are not typically effective against cavalry, the sheer force of the barrage could potentially halt their advance."

As Nilesh turned to command the logistic and artillery teams, Aditya repositioned the royal guards, who held spears and shields, to act as the first line of defense near the trenches filled with caltrops. They braced themselves for the impending clash.

Behind them, Colonel Amit's 1000 repeating crossbowmen provided cover fire for the northern front, while Colonel Deepak's 1000 musketeers took position to support the southern defense.

Desperate charge of Infantry in Western front

Meanwhile in western direction, Aditya's musketeers unleashed a relentless barrage of gunfire, but the advancing Mughal infantry, though battered, pressed on undeterred. As they closed the distance, the clash of steel and the roar of battle filled the air.

The front line of musketeers braced themselves, bayonets fixed to their muskets, ready to meet the enemy in fierce melee combat. The Mughal soldiers, fueled by adrenaline and the fervor of battle, charged headlong into the fray.

Bayonets clashed against shields and armor, the metallic clang reverberating across the battlefield. Amidst the chaos, friendly fire occasionally erupted, as the tight quarters and frenetic pace of combat made distinguishing friend from foe a challenging endeavor.

But the front line held firm, their discipline unwavering as they repelled the Mughal onslaught with expertly executed thrusts and parries. Each fallen musketeer was swiftly replaced by another, their ranks replenished with fresh soldiers eager to join the fight.

Meanwhile, the rear ranks of musketeers continued to reload and fire, their disciplined volleys providing crucial support to their comrades locked in mortal combat. The combined firepower of the musketeers created a lethal crossfire, tearing through the ranks of the Mughal infantry with devastating effect.

Despite the ferocity of the melee, the musketeers maintained their formation, their resolve unbroken even as the battle raged on. The clash of steel and the roar of gunfire echoed across the battlefield, a testament to the courage and determination of both sides.

Barrage on Northern front

'Boom!'

On the northern side, the main assault cavalry, confident and charging with full force, suddenly found themselves under a barrage of meteor-like showers upon impact. These were rockets with spears tied to cylindrical casings containing gunpowder propellant at the heads, supported by long bamboo bodies. They soared through the air, trailing smoke and flames.

They struck the cavalry with devastating impact, exploding amidst the tightly packed horsemen. The blasts threw horses and riders into chaos. Screams of terror and agony filled the air as the explosions tore through flesh and bone, sending limbs flying and leaving craters of destruction.

"Stay together! Keep charging!" their commander, Sikandar khan shouted as he tried to maintain order desperately. 'So this was the secret new weapon, Damn it, how can I miss it. Stupid peasants."

But the devastation was overwhelming. Some horses, panicked by the explosions, reared up and threw their riders. Others were struck directly, collapsing in heaps and creating obstacles for those behind.

Despite the carnage, the northern cavalry, driven by desperation and momentum, pressed on. The surviving riders regrouped and continued their charge, though their formation was badly shattered. Bloodied but determined, they aimed to break through Aditya's lines.

Barrage on Southern front and Retreat of cavalry

On the southern front, the Hwachas unleashed a storm of arrows upon the advancing cavalry. The sky darkened momentarily as the arrows descended like a deadly rain. Each arrow found its mark with merciless precision. The impact was immediate and gruesome. Horses and riders were struck, arrows penetrating armor and flesh alike.

Some arrows pierced through shields, driving deep into the bodies of the soldiers. Others found the eyes and necks of their targets, causing horrific injuries and instant deaths.

The southern cavalry, unlike their northern counterparts, was thrown into complete disarray. The relentless barrage of Hwacha arrows created a scene of utter chaos. Riders tried to shield themselves and their horses, but the arrows came too fast and too numerous. Some soldiers, in their panic, accidentally collided with their comrades and were flung off, stumbling into the following riders and causing a chain of disruption in the ranks.

"Retreat! Fall back!" their commander Adil khan quickly changed mind, realizing the futility of pressing forward. The southern cavalry, taking heavy losses and unable to withstand the onslaught, pulled back. The ground was littered with the dead and dying, the survivors retreating in a desperate bid to escape the lethal rain of arrows.

Retreat of Cavalry at Northern front

As the northern cavalry pressed on despite the chaos, Aditya quickly ordered the musketeers on the southern line to change sides and merge with the northern lines, while the rest of the spearmen held their position to prevent any entrance.

Now, 1500 royal guards on the northern side had the support of 1000 musketeers behind them as additional reinforcement.

"Royal Guards, Brace for impact! Hold the line at all costs!" Aditya shouted.

Commander Ujjwal Singh, leading the royal guards in middle, echoed the order with a booming voice. "You heard the prince! Shields up! Spears ready! Let them crash against our line!"

The royal guards snapped into action, raising their shields and locking them together to create an impenetrable barrier. 

Despite the heavy rocket barrage, Sikandar Khan pressed the cavalry to clash with the enemy forces. They sighed with relief as the rocket barrage stopped when they neared the camp, only to fall into another hidden trap. 

"Watch out! Caltrops ahead!"

"Trenches! we cant get through!"

The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos as the northern cavalry, undeterred by the initial barrage, advanced through the caltrops. Horses whinnied in pain as they stumbled and fell, their riders thrown off and trampled in the confusion. Despite the carnage, some cavalrymen managed to navigate through the caltrops, only to encounter the trenches. The front ranks toppled into the hidden pits, causing a domino effect as those behind struggled to halt or swerve around the unexpected obstacles.

"Keep moving! We have to break through!"

Sikandar Khan slowed down his pace as he shouted for his men to move forward while he himself moved to the rear. His eyes widening in horror as he witnessed the disarray.

"We cant get through this."

"No, spare me!"

His forces fell into the trenches, and those who managed to stay on their feet were impaled by the spears of Aditya's spearmen. The disciplined formation of the royal guards held firm, their spears a deadly barrier against the Mughal onslaught.

Amid the chaos, Sikandar Khan saw his fallen men being shot by a barrage of crossbow bolts. The relentless hail of projectiles from Amit's crossbowmen turned the area near the trenches into a killing field. Mughal soldiers screamed in agony as bolts pierced armor and flesh, adding to the chaos and panic.

Seeing his forces falter, Sikandar Khan knew the battle was lost. The once formidable cavalry was now a scene of devastation, with men and horses lying dead or dying. He desperately rallied his remaining men, to charge the other side.

"Pull back! We charge the other side!" His voice, though commanding, was tinged with desperation.

As the Mughal cavalry began to pull back, the northern trenches remain filled with bodies, while the formation of the royal guards shifted.

"Load...Aim...Fire!"

Spearmen were replaced by musketeers who quickly took position and fired devastating volley into the retreating cavalry under the command of colonel Ratnakar. The bullets penetrated shields, armor, and bodies with lethal precision. Some Mughal soldiers, struck in the back, fell instantly, while others continued their desperate retreat, only to collapse moments later.

Sikandar Khan's heart sank as he saw the full extent of the carnage.

Death of a commander

"Retreat! Full Retreat! Everyone, fall back!" 

Understanding the battle was lost, he signaled for a full retreat. His remaining men halted their charge and turned to flee, but the relentless barrage continued. Rockets launched from the rear exploded among the retreating forces, their blasts sending men and horses flying. The Hwacha arrows, though fewer in number, continued to rain down, impaling those who strayed too far from the main group.

In the midst of the chaos, a rocket explosion erupted near Sikandar Khan. The blast sent debris and shrapnel flying in all directions. A spearhead, dislodged by the explosion, flew in a deadly zigzag motion. It struck Sikandar Khan in the neck, slicing through flesh and artery. A gush of blood poured out as he tried to stop the bleeding with his hands, but the wound was too severe.

"Ugh.. no.. ret.."

He staggered as his vision dimmed and then he finally collapsed to the ground.

The retreating riders, oblivious to their commander's fate, trampled over his body in their desperate bid to escape the missile barrage. Sikandar Khan's lifeless body was further mangled by the hooves of panicked horses marking his death as the moments of pain and tragedy.

The battlefield was a scene of utter devastation. Bodies of men and horses lay scattered, blood soaked the ground, and the air was filled with the cries of the wounded. Aditya watched the Mughal forces retreat in panic, allowing himself a moment of grim satisfaction. 

He turned his attention to the last remaining front of struggle.

Western Front retreat

As the Mughal cavalry retreated, Aditya swiftly issued a new command. "Unleash the barrage!"

From the rear, the rockets arced high into the sky, their tails leaving trails of smoke before descending upon the Mughal infantry. The impact was cataclysmic. Rockets exploded amidst the advancing soldiers, sending limbs and bodies flying in every direction. The force of the blasts tore through flesh and bone, reducing men to bloody, dismembered corpses. The air filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh and gunpowder, mingling with the anguished screams of the dying.

The Hwacha followed, its devastating rain of arrows and the repeat scenario of horror and blood bath followed. The mughal soldiers spirits broke as they saw both of their cavalry on retreat. But their was less time to consider othe feelings where each arrow, tipped with iron and shot with lethal force, found its mark among the cluster of warriors to be killed like sheeps. They didnt wait for any orders and began to retreat.

This time the devastation was on large scale as the range covered was beyond the protection of forest shade. many got blocked by the trees and branches but still got its mark on the fleeing soldiers. Th whole battle field turned to a scene of utter carnage, with bodies piling up with either arrows, or limbs thrown and covered in sand and mud.

Amidst the chaos, Ansari, watched in horror as his forces were almost wiped out He tried to rally his men for a retreat, amidst the screams and explosions.

"Retreat! Fall back!" But his commands were swallowed by the noise of destruction. Those who had brain turned to flee while the blockheads still stood to die in outst of loyalty. Taking his life as priority he turned to flee without any honor.

As he entered the forest, an unlucky arrow from Hwacha arrow struck him in the leg while avoiding all the curvy branches, piercing through muscle and bone.

With a scream of agony, he fell to the ground as blood poured from his wound. In attempt to save his life he grit his teeth, and made his way to retreat all while limping and dragging his injured leg. 

Chase and Victory

Aditya saw the moment of vulnerability and seized it. "Musketeer battalion, charge! No mercy!" he commanded.

The musketeers surged forward with their bloodied bayonets in orderly lines. They chased the retreating forces while cracking their bullets until they reach the forest.

Bullets tore through backs, shoulders, and legs, cutting down men who stumbled and fell in their desperate bid to escape. Blood splattered across the ground, and the bodies of the dead and dying lined the path of retreat. The injured were impaled with bayonets as of there was no question of taking prisoners.

Ansari, limping and barely able to keep up, glanced back in terror. He saw his men falling like wheat before the scythe, their bodies getting holed either by bullets or bayonets. The systematic display of slaughter was overwhelming. He stumbled and fell again, as he had seen the incarnation of devil in his life.

But perhaps fate still had some roles in store for him, as all the devil's army stopped at the entrance of the forest. He thanked his lucky stars and didn't dare waste any time reanalyzing. Filled with terror, he rushed back to base as quickly as possible.

Aftermath

"Hold your ground," Aditya commanded with firm voice. "We will not charge blindly into the forest. " He remembered the battle of Hastings in 1066, where king Harold 2 of England lost the almost winning war as they decided to chase the retreating enemy and lose their advantage of formation. 

Right now they are in a similar situation, and if they decide to rush into the forest, their line formation will become less effective. In case of a sudden emergence of hidden cavalry, the tide could turn, so it's better not to take the risk when victory is within their grasp. 

Colonel Manish nodded, though his frustration was evident. "But sir, our men are eager for battle. We could crush them now."

Aditya's gaze was firm. "Patience, Colonel. We cannot afford to make hasty decisions. Our advantage lies in knowing our enemy's movements. We wait for reinforcements and gather intelligence from the villagers."

Colonel Deepak interjected, his tone urgent. "Forgive me sir, but what if they attack again before reinforcements arrive? Shouldn't we kill them when there resolve is low?"

Aditya's jaw clenched with annoyance but still replied out of humilty. "Then we defend with what we have. But we will not charge blindly into the unknown. Our priority is now to understand the situation first. Am I clear, colonel?"

Colonel Deepak, though eager for battle, nodded in understanding. "Understood, sir. We'll wait for reinforcements."

As the soldiers returned to the camp, Nilesh gave Aditya the death count of his forces. Nearly 700 died from their side while the enemy seems to loss 70 percent of what they have brought with themselves. Despite the overwhelming victory, the loss of comrades was still evident in their faces, even the royal guards who suffered the least had a sorrow full look etched in their faces.

Indifferent to this, Aditya turned to the rescued villagers with worry for their concern. he assured them of safety and asked about what they know in gentle tone as much as possible. "Don't fear us. Tell me, what you've seen. I want to know everything." 

Despite being traumatised as some brave villagers recounted the tales of horror and suffering, at the hands of the enemy. the blood boiled in anger for all the listeners. Specially the mass atrocities done on women finally made Aditya's lost his level headedness.

"I swear," he declared with a burst of anger, "their limbs will be torn, their heads will be buried. Not a single soul will have an easy death." His words echoed the thoughts of everyone present.

Suddenly, a scout burst into the camp, his breath ragged with urgency. "Sir.. Unkown cavalry... approaching from.. southern direction."

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Author's Notes: 

I would like to thank ABHI29 for the golden ticket. I am glad for your interest in my book and would be looking forward to more of your feedbacks ahead.

Taking this opportune moment, I would also like to thank my daily voters alongside the new voters who have joined my voting list. I am looking forward to your continued support ahead. Thanks for reading. :)