Knowing the empire

** Official ceremony day of Imperial Declaration, 26 Jan, 1557 **

In the soft morning light streaming through the palace windows, Aditya awoke in his luxurious princely room. The opulent furnishings and intricate curtains highlighted his newfound status, a stark contrast to his humble past. He took a deep breath, got out of bed, and began his daily exercises to stay strong and agile.

After completing his morning regimen, Aditya made his way to the training grounds, where Jeetendar awaited him with a sword in hand. But before he could reach his destination, he encountered Hari Singh, accompanied by Afzal. Aditya's brow furrowed in concern at the sight of the two men, sensing that something was amiss.

"Is everything alright, Afzal?" Aditya inquired, noting the somber expression on his friend's face.

Afzal hesitated for a moment before replying, his voice filled with worry. "I'm afraid not, Aditya. I've received word that my mother has taken ill, and I must return to attend to her."

Aditya's heart went out to his friend, understanding the importance of family in such trying times. He glanced back at Afzal and noticed Sikandar Khan, a loyal Mughal general, and his men trailing behind them discreetly.

A wry smile tugged at Aditya's lips as he realized the subtle machinations of Bairam Khan, orchestrating events to prevent Afzal's presence during Emperor Hemu's coronation to lower the claim of empire's might.

"Stay strong, my friend," Aditya said reassuringly, placing a comforting hand on Afzal's shoulder. "I will seek permission from Emperor Hemu myself, but in the meantime, let us make arrangements for your safe return."

With a nod of gratitude, Afzal agreed, his gaze reflecting a mix of determination and concern for his mother's well-being. Aditya turned to Hari Singh, instructing him to secure the necessary escort for Afzal's journey back home.

As Hari Singh departed to carry out his orders, Aditya couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

After securing the emperor's permission, Aditya returned to Afzal's side, accompanied by a contingent of elite soldiers to ensure his friend's safe passage. As they made their way back to Afzal's homeland, Sikandar Khan was appointed as his representative, despite his initial reluctance to accept the responsibility.

Before parting ways, Afzal sought out Amira and Aditya for one last meeting, his eyes betraying a sense of longing for the friends he would leave behind.

With a heartfelt promise to return once peace had been established between their nations, Afzal embraced Amira, his words tinged with sincerity.

"You will always be my truest friend, Amira," Afzal whispered, his voice filled with emotion. "And I promise to visit you once the turmoil has passed."

Amira blushed at his words, her heart fluttering at the depth of his feelings. She returned his embrace with equal fervor, cherishing the bond they shared.

As they embraced, Afzal teased, "Hey, maybe next time we meet, I'll be taller than you, Princess."

Amira playfully tousled his hair in response, saying, "You're still trying to tease me even as you're leaving, you naughty boy!"

As Aditya watched the exchange between his friends, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for Afzal, knowing that Amira saw Afzal as nothing more than a friend, but he wondered if the same could be said for Afzal's feelings towards her.

It was a delicate situation, one that Aditya knew he couldn't meddle in. Instead, he simply watched as the two embraced.

"You are destined for greatness, Afzal," Aditya said, his voice filled with conviction. "And I have no doubt that you will achieve it, whatever path you choose to follow."

Afzal bid farewell to his friends and embarked on his journey homeward, his heart heavy with the weight of responsibility yet buoyed by the support of those who believed in him.

And as he disappeared into the distance, Aditya couldn't help but wonder what adventures awaited his friend on the road ahead. Little did he know his words of encouragement would resonate deeply with Afzal, shaping his future in ways he couldn't yet imagine.

** At the King's Chamber **

As Aditya made his way to the king's chamber, he couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation gnawing at his gut.

Upon entering, he found himself greeted by the imposing presence of Emperor Hemu, flanked by a council of ministers and his grandfather Chandrashekhar, who now served as the prime minister of the realm.

It was a formidable assembly, one that spoke volumes about the gravity of the matters at hand.

Chandrashekhar stepped forward and gestured toward the council members one by one. "Come, Prince, allow me to introduce the esteemed members of our council."

A mature woman around 45 years old, with a calm and dignified presence, stepped forward. She had a smile of amusement as her eyes met Aditya's.

"This is Sayantika Sen, our revenue minister. She is the rakhi sister (sworn sister) of the emperor and the current regent of the Bengal region."

Sayantika nodded politely with a Namaste. "It's an honor, Prince Aditya."

"The honor is mine, Your Grace," Aditya replied. He noted the sly smile on her face and decided to keep his distance until he gathered more information.

A composed man around 40 years old with a steely gaze stepped forward.

"Next, we have Jayadev Patil, head of the intelligence department."

Jayadev Patil acknowledged with a crisp nod, "Your Highness."

Aditya found him hard to read but still passed on, acknowledging him with a nod.

Then, a burly man around 35 years old, wearing a turban, stepped forward. His eyes scanned Aditya from top to bottom, as if still skeptical about something.

"He is Sukhwindar Singh, responsible for public welfare and security, including overseeing the justice department."

Sukhwindar smiled with a nod but couldn't hide the frown in his eyes, which betrayed his external facade. Aditya returned the nod but noted Sukhwindar as an easy target, too plain to read.

Next, a young man around 30 years old stepped forward. He had keen eyes and a gentle smile, his expression filled with curiosity.

"This is Pratap Rao Taode, who oversees the agriculture department."

He greeted Aditya with a polite Namaste. "Welcome, Prince."

From his look, Pratap seemed curious about Aditya's presence, but there was nothing noteworthy for Aditya to concern himself with.

Lastly, a battle-hardened figure, a man of 50 years old, stepped forward. He had a pleasant smile on his face.

"You must have seen him leading the battle. He is General Shadi Khan Kakkar, who has served as the unofficial military head of the army and will soon receive his new title."

General Shadi Khan Kakkar nodded, his tone filled with gratitude. "It's all due to His Majesty's grace. It's a pleasure meeting you, Your Highness."

Aditya smiled at his response, which was the most cheerful of them all, and acknowledged with a polite Namaste. "The pleasure is mine, General."

Once the introductions ended, Emperor Hemu's gaze locked onto Aditya. "Prince Aditya, we are eager to hear your insights and opinions on the reforms we are planning post-coronation."

Aditya felt a surge of nervous energy as he surveyed the esteemed council members gathered before him.

It was clear that the fate of the kingdom rested in their hands, and Aditya felt the weight of responsibility bearing down on him.

As the discussion unfolded, Aditya found himself momentarily taken aback by the fragility of the kingdom's administrative system. However, he quickly realized that the empire is still new born and they atleast have a foundation which is better than nothing.

Drawing upon his own experiences and observations, Aditya began to offer his insights and suggestions for improvement, which greatly amazed everyone present.

Throughout the meeting, Aditya's suggestions were met with nods of agreement and murmurs of approval from majority of council members. Soon they came to the drafting of reforms which were agreed upon and some where left for open debate which needs to be conducted after coronation. 

However, it was Sayantika Sen and Shadi Khan Kakkar who seemed particularly pleased by the end of the discussion, their smiles reflecting a sense of satisfaction as if they are going to be the real winners in this reform.

As the meeting drew to a close, Emperor Hemu expressed his gratitude to Aditya for his valuable contributions specially, regarding his insight on future relations with kingdoms. 

It was a humbling moment for the young prince, who realized that, despite his initial apprehensions, he had played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the empire. The discussions were secret and would only be revealed when the time came, but changing the entire course of the empire through just a few moments of conversation was a great achievement, Aditya realized for himself.

And as he made his way out of the king's chamber, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement, eager to see how things would unfold after the coronation.

 ** Moments before ceremony of coronation **

As the evening descended upon the grand coronation event, Aditya found himself engulfed by the sea of faces that filled the courtyard. Among them, he noticed the presence of Dutch and Portuguese representatives, a sight that surprised him.

"Foreigners in our midst," he muttered to himself, a hint of disdain creeping into his voice.

Curious, he turned to Hari Singh for an explanation, and what he heard left him taken aback.

Hari Singh's explanation revealed a tangled web of alliances, betrayals, and conflicts in distant lands. The Dutch, initially sought by the Vijayanagar Empire to help drive out the Portuguese, had later turned on their erstwhile allies, seizing territory for themselves.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese, noticing the weakened Dutch presence in Sri Lanka, had capitalized on the opportunity to expand their own influence.

Aditya was incredulous at the information he was receiving; it seemed that the knowledge he had previously possessed had once again been altered. He found himself questioning the reliability of his understanding, particularly in matters concerning the kingdom.

Resolved to rectify this uncertainty, he decided to prioritize the enhancement of his intelligence capabilities for the empire.

His gaze turned disdainful as he absorbed the complexities of foreign politics. Despite his personal disdain for the foreigners, he maintained a composed demeanour out of courtesy, though his clenched fists betrayed his inner turmoil.

As the evening wore on, Hari Singh shared more insights into the extent of Emperor Hemu's domain. Aditya listened intently as he learned of the vast territories that fell under Hemu's rule.

"Our empire spans from the bustling streets of Delhi to the fertile plains of Bengal," Hari Singh recounted, his voice resonating with pride. "From the majestic peaks of Kashmir to the bustling cities of Jaunpur and Agra."

He discovered that emperor's regime His dominion extended across present-day regions of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kashmir, bengal, parts of Madhya Pradesh, and possibly other adjacent territories.

In terms of kingdoms, it included the Kingdom of Delhi (which covered the whole region of Delhi city and the northwestern part of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, and northern Haryana),

the Kingdom of Punjab (present-day Punjab stretched to the Ravi River in the west, some parts of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and shared borders with Kashmir in the north and Rewari and Delhi in the south),

the Kingdom of Rewari (present-day state of Haryana and some parts of northern Rajasthan, sharing borders with the eastern side of the Delhi kingdom, some part of agra kingdom and stretching up to the Ravi River),

and the Kingdom of Agra (sharing the southern western border of the Delhi kingdom, southern border of rewari kingdom, some parts of western Uttar Pradesh, northern Madhya Pradesh, and north eastern Rajasthan).

Furthermore, it included the Kingdom of Jaunpur (sharing the western border of the Delhi kingdom, the southwestern part of Uttar Pradesh, and stretching up to northern Bihar),

the Kingdom of Kashmir (present-day Kashmir including the disputed PoK but not the mountain region of Ladakh),

the Kingdom of Bengal (including Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bangladesh), the Kingdom of Gwalior (sharing the southern borders of Agra, eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh,

southern part of Uttar Pradesh, and some southeastern part of Rajasthan), and the Kingdom of Malwa (southern Rajasthan and western Madhya Pradesh).

As Hari Singh continued his narration, Aditya's attention shifted to the assembly of noble representatives from across the realm. 

Amongst the distinguished guests were representatives from Mewar and Marwar, both situated in Rajasthan, along with envoys from Bundelkhand kingdom from Madhya pradesh, and the Gajapati Kingdom of Odisha.

Additionally, the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, nestled in present-day northern Maharashtra, stood as a prominent part of the Deccan Sultanates, exerting influence in the western reaches of India. 

"Such diversity," Aditya mused aloud, a note of admiration in his voice. "Our empire truly encompasses the richness of Bharat."

His gaze then fell upon the notable absence of representatives from certain southern sultanates. The complexity of inter-kingdom relations and the delicate balance of power left him pondering their absence.

Aditya's attention was drawn to the Ahmadnagar Sultanate representative, a glimmer of interest in his eyes as he considered potential diplomatic opportunities.

"Indeed, an opportunity for engagement," he thought, his mind racing with possibilities for alliances.

As Aditya contemplated governance and diplomacy, whispers from nearby nobles reached his ears.

"What a beauty," one remarked, followed by another's admiring observation of her waist. "Look at her waist, it seems god has taken special holiday to frame it."

 Finally, a third noble added, "Ah! I would gladly give away my kingdom to spend a night with such a goddess." 

Aditya couldn't help but be intrigued by the hushed commentary, his curiosity piqued by his own lack of experience in matters of love and desire.

With cautious steps, Aditya trailed the direction of the whispers, his gaze eventually falling upon a woman escorted by guards. Clad in an elegant red saree and adorned with regal jewellery, she exuded an aura of nobility.

Yet, it was her face veiled by a ghumta(scarf), revealing only a glimpse of her lips, that caught Aditya's attention.

As he scrutinized her features, a sense of recognition dawned upon him. "Damn! It's the same lips, the same smile, same waist, same size... she's that mystery girl from the river."

His heart raced with anticipation and apprehension as he pondered her presence amidst the nobles.

A nearby noble's voice pierced through the murmurs, declaring, "Damn, what a waste. She must be another prospect looking to marry the emperor."

A cold shiver ran down on Aditya's spine. The mere thought of her becoming his stepmother sent a wave of dread coursing through him.

 'No... no... please, God, no... not my mom.', Aditya pleaded with all his might.

 Inwardly, His mind reeled with apprehension, grappling with the unsettling possibility that fate might thrust him into an unforeseen and uncomfortable familial dynamic.

Aditya's heart sank at the thought, knowing all too well the political machinations that governed such unions.

Yet, amidst his anxiety, a flicker of excitement ignited within him. "Wait a minute, what are our soldiers doing as her escort? Could she be from our empire? Was that why I saw her bathing there?"

Lost in his thoughts, Aditya barely noticed the announcement heralding the emperor's entrance.

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Author's note(edited) : Make sure to check the maps in auxiliary volume. It can be found in contents before chapter 1. 

The areas mentioned do exist with the same names, but they were not all kingdoms. In fact, one major city ,acting as main capital used to hold influence over other cities and was treated no less than a kingdom. It has been modified here to "kingdom" to suit the taste of the northern empire of Sur dynasty. Before that, they were territories under the Delhi Sultanate and later principalities and kingdoms under the Mughal Empire in real history.

Also, the concept of the Ravi and Indus River borders is fictional, so western territories of North India are stretched to meet the storyline requirements. Even though I have tried to give the exact area of influence, I can't guarantee it's a hundred percent correct, as these areas were not constant and always changed sizes due to mutual conflicts.

Also take note that some parts of mountain kingdoms of north India, central and southern india and north eastern regions, didn't come under hemu's rule in that era. So it wasn't mentioned here.