Hyderabad-II

Over the next two to three days, I enjoyed my stay in Hyderabad, taking the opportunity to visit several important and famous landmarks. The city's rich culture and architectural wonders were mesmerizing, with the bustling markets and majestic structures telling tales of a proud history. I took in the grandeur of the Charminar and explored the Golconda Fort, places that stood as testaments to the Nizams' once-great power. Yet, despite the beauty of the city, my mind remained focused on the looming challenge ahead. The next day, I was due to leave, but I still hadn't received any word from Afzal-ud-Daulah.

As the hours ticked by, my frustration grew. I began considering the worst-case scenario: if Afzal-ud-Daulah wasn't going to support us, he could become a liability. Letting him live, knowing that he might betray us to the British, was a risk I couldn't afford to take. I had already started planning how I could eliminate him. I couldn't allow my efforts to build this revolution to be undone by one man's indecision. If he wasn't on our side, it would be better to remove him from the picture entirely. My thoughts turned toward framing his death in a way that would divert blame to the British, or at the very least, create a rift between Nizam's court and the British officials.

That night, as I finalized my thoughts on how to proceed, I was caught off guard by a sudden knock on my door.

To my surprise, it was Afzal-ud-Daulah himself. He had come in secret, his expression unreadable at first. Without wasting time,

he explained, "After a lot of thought, I've decided to help you."

His words momentarily caught me off guard.

He continued, "But know this—I'm not willing to throw away my kingdom on a half-baked plan. If you want my support, I'll need something more concrete. We need a strategy that ensures we win or, at the very least, one that doesn't end in disaster."

Afzal-ud-Daulah then outlined his own thoughts: "We could start with small, covert meetings with key figures in Hyderabad who may be sympathetic to our cause. From there, we could slowly build momentum. It's essential that we gauge the sentiments of the people before we take any action against the British."

Relief washed over me, but I remained cautious. His commitment wasn't just to me—it was to a plan that had to be foolproof. This wasn't a mere alliance of words; it demanded precision, planning, and the promise of something greater than both of us. The revolution had gained another powerful ally, but now the real work had to begin.

I called Sufiyan to my room, As he entered,he was momentarily taken back seeing Afzal-ud-Daulah already there but recalected himselh quickly he understtod what was happening as he was a inteleggnt man he wasted no time in sharing the details about our intelligence organization and our ongoing plans. I explained how we were strategically setting a financial trap for the British, targeting their resources and undermining their operations.

Afzal-ud-Daulah listened intently, his eyes widening with each revelation. He was genuinely impressed by the depth of our strategy and the meticulous planning we had undertaken.

After outlining our next steps, I could see the gears turning in his mind. He agreed to assist us but mentioned that he would need time to gather the necessary resources since he didn't have any real power yet. I reassured him that we would provide him with all the support we could muster and shared the identities of our other allies, reinforcing our united front.

With newfound optimism, I asked Afzal-ud-Daulah if he could secure permission to begin building roads. These connections would facilitate the movement of troops and supplies, particularly in areas where our intelligence suggested there was a high likelihood of local uprisings against the British. We meticulously planned our course of action, and Afzal-ud-Daulah left my room with a positive response, determination etched on his face.

A wave of relief washed over us at the thought of having gained such a crucial ally—one who could indeed change the tide of our struggle. The weight of our mission felt a little lighter as we recognized the potential impact of our combined efforts.

The next day, we departed from Hyderabad, setting our sights on Singhbhum. This location was critical for the upcoming conflict in 1857, a strategic point that could prove pivotal for rallying support and mobilizing resources for our cause.

As we departed from Hyderabad, the scenery shifted dramatically. The vibrant chaos of the city receded, replaced by rolling hills and a patchwork of verdant fields.

The air grew fresher, carrying the sweet scent of wildflowers and the distant sound of rustling leaves.

Keonjhar, rich in history, stood as a testament to Odisha's vibrant past.

Known for its mineral wealth, the region flourished under the reign of the Bhanja dynasty.

I knew during 1857 Keonjhar also fought agiast the tyrny of brithisher.

Raja Jaya Krishna Bhanj, who was initially compliant with British policies. However, the widespread discontent against the British rule and because of threat of doctranie of lapse he created alliance with local leaders and did the revolt revolt was not sussefull but still this shows there dedication to stand for tere rights.

But this time with our collactive support I am sure the result will be different.

I asked for the private audience with the king which he readily accepted because of my mughal prince status,

during the meeting I told him about our alliance and also invited him,

seeing hisown slipping power and disconted growing amoung his people he readly agreed to the proposal to stand agaist the british power.

With our plans solidified and alliances strengthened, we prepared to leave Keonjhar, our hearts set on our next destination: Kolkata. The city awaited us—a bustling hub that was the capital of British India.