The Rise of Vikramaditya: Bharat’s Unbroken Destiny

Chapter 36: Chapter 36: The Rajput Reclamation Begins



The Aftermath of Chittorgarh's Victory

The air in Chittorgarh was thick with the scent of burnt wood and blood, but for the first time in years, the Rajputs stood victorious. Amar Singh had done the impossible—he had reclaimed the fort that had once symbolized Rajput pride. As the dawn broke, the golden light of the sun illuminated the battered but standing walls of Chittorgarh, casting long shadows over the bodies of fallen Mughal soldiers. The war was not yet over, but this victory had rekindled the fire in every Rajput heart.

Gathering his commanders in the grand hall, Amar Singh spoke with a commanding voice, his words filled with both triumph and urgency.

"We have reclaimed our home, but our duty is far from over. The Mughals will return, and when they do, we will not cower behind these walls—we will take the fight to them. We will reclaim every fort, every piece of land that was stolen from us!"

A roar of approval erupted from the warriors in the room. Their blood was still hot from battle, and the thought of reclaiming their lost heritage filled them with renewed purpose.

Dividing the Forces – A New Strategy

Amar Singh knew that the Mughals, despite their recent loss, still had a powerful hold over Rajputana. Their control stretched across strategic forts and trade routes, making it difficult for Mewar to move freely. If the Rajputs wanted to win this war, they couldn't afford to wait for the enemy to regroup—they had to strike first.

With that in mind, Amar Singh devised a multi-pronged strategy. He divided his forces into three groups:

1. Bagh Singh's Rapid Cavalry Force – A highly mobile unit tasked with targeting smaller forts under Mughal control. Their objective was to eliminate Mughal outposts, destroy supply lines, and prevent reinforcements from reaching the larger fortresses.

2. Rawat Chundawat's Stealth Strike Team – A group of elite warriors trained in guerrilla tactics. Their mission was to infiltrate Mughal-controlled regions, assassinate key officers, and sabotage enemy camps from within.

3. Amar Singh's Main Army – The largest and most heavily armed group, focused on reclaiming Kumbhalgarh, a fortress of immense strategic importance that had fallen into Mughal hands. This was to be the turning point of the war.

The Siege of Kumbhalgarh

Kumbhalgarh, known as the "Guardian of Mewar," was the second-largest fort in Rajasthan and a stronghold that had once served as a safe haven for Rajput rulers during times of crisis. However, after years of Mughal control, it had become a symbol of oppression. Taking it back meant more than just regaining a fortress—it was about reclaiming Rajput dignity.

Rather than opting for a direct assault, Amar Singh planned a deception. He sent a group of Rajput warriors disguised as merchants and traders into the fort. Under the pretense of selling supplies, they gained access to the inner walls, observing the layout and the strength of the Mughal defenses. Over several days, they secretly poisoned water sources and spread misinformation among the Mughal ranks, causing confusion and paranoia.

When the time was right, the Rajput infiltrators struck in the dead of night. Under the cover of darkness, they silently eliminated the gatekeepers and key Mughal officers, creating an opening for Amar Singh's main army to attack.

With a thunderous war cry, the Rajput cavalry stormed the gates. War elephants, their tusks reinforced with steel, smashed through the outer barricades. Archers rained fire upon the Mughal defenders, setting siege towers ablaze. Swords clashed, and the air was filled with the sound of battle cries and dying screams.

Amar Singh himself led the charge, cutting through enemy soldiers with unmatched ferocity. His presence on the battlefield was like that of a raging storm—unstoppable and devastating. Even the Mughal commanders, hardened by years of warfare, felt fear creep into their hearts as they faced the warrior king of Mewar.

Within hours, the fort was in Rajput hands. The Mughals who remained were either cut down or fled into the forests, leaving behind a fortress that once again bore the flag of Mewar. The victory at Kumbhalgarh sent a clear message to Jahangir—Mewar was no longer in retreat. It was reclaiming its rightful land.

Jahangir's Response – Summoning the Butcher

The news of Kumbhalgarh's fall shook the Mughal court in Delhi. Jahangir, who had once believed Rajput resistance was crushed, now found himself facing an enemy that refused to die. Furious at the losses, he summoned Abdullah Khan, one of the most brutal generals in the Mughal army.

"Crush Amar Singh," Jahangir ordered, his voice cold as steel. "I want his head on a spike before the month is over."

Abdullah Khan, a man known for his merciless tactics and sheer brutality, accepted the command with a dark smile. Unlike other Mughal generals, he didn't believe in drawn-out sieges or political maneuvering—he believed in massacres. Wherever he went, villages burned, and rivers ran red with blood.

Gathering an army of 50,000 men, Abdullah Khan marched towards Mewar, determined to wipe Amar Singh and his people off the face of the earth.

Preparing for the Next Battle

Amar Singh knew an attack was coming. The Mughals would not sit idle after losing Kumbhalgarh. Scouts had already reported large enemy movements towards Mewar, and the time to prepare was now.

Instead of waiting to be attacked, Amar Singh devised another plan—a trap. He chose the battlefield carefully, selecting a narrow valley surrounded by rocky cliffs where the Mughal forces would have no room to maneuver. Rajput warriors set up ambush points along the valley, hiding archers behind boulders and preparing rolling fire traps—barrels filled with burning oil that could be released upon the enemy at the right moment.

Meanwhile, Amar Singh sent envoys to neighboring Rajput clans, urging them to join the battle. The time for divisions was over—this was a fight for all of Rajputana, not just Mewar. Many answered the call, bringing reinforcements of cavalry and foot soldiers.

The Rajputs were outnumbered, but they had the terrain, the strategy, and the will to fight.

As the final night before battle arrived, Amar Singh stood on the cliffs overlooking the valley. His heart was steady. His hands gripped his sword, the same weapon his father had once wielded. He closed his eyes and whispered a silent vow.

"This is our land. We will never bow. Rajputana will be free."

As the first rays of dawn touched the horizon, the Rajput warriors took their positions. The final confrontation was about to begin.

The War for Mewar Continues…

The reclamation of Kumbhalgarh had been a resounding success, but the battle for Rajputana was far from over. With Abdullah Khan's army marching towards Mewar, Amar Singh faced his greatest test yet. The fate of his people, his kingdom, and his legacy hung in the balance.

Would the Rajputs emerge victorious, or would Mewar once again fall under the Mughal yoke?

One thing was certain—this war would be written in fire and blood.


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