Chapter 94: Preparation for the Seige
In the past few days, Rewari was bustling like never before. The capital, Bawal, had become a hive of activity as traders and merchants thronged its streets, lured by the news of a grand gathering. Delegations as well as merchants from member kingdoms of the Samrajya and foreign nations had descended upon the city, each seeking to forge alliances and secure deals.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement and opportunity, yet it posed a logistical nightmare for the local authorities. They had to maintain the security of the fort and ensure the hospitality of the distinguished guests.
Overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the task, the local authorities turned to Rewari’s allies for assistance. Amber took on the critical role of defending the inner fort, while Jaunpur, alongside local officials, managed the security of the more remote regions. This division of labor seemed to promise a smooth operation, but beneath the surface, a sinister plot was brewing.
Rahimullah Khan, the regent of Jaunpur and the de facto commander of its forces, had far different plans. In secret, he had allied with the Mughals and Rao Kishan Pal, the king’s ambitious cousin, aiming to overthrow the current regime and declare Rewari an independent kingdom.
Ajmer’s king also pledged support, enticed by the promise of marriage to Rewari’s renowned princess.
To bolster their conspiracy, Rahimullah Khan and his co-conspirators garnered the support of disgruntled local nobles and zamindars, who were deeply unhappy with the Samrajya’s reforms.
They spread rumors among the farmers, claiming that loans from the Samrajya came with crippling interest rates, and failure to repay would result in losing their lands and homes. These lies sowed the seeds of unrest and rebellion.
The conspirators moved swiftly and stealthily. Local authorities were either bribed or silenced, replaced with loyalists to the Jaunpur cause. Control over security patrols and local defenses allowed them to intercept and neutralize any alerts sent to the capital.
Slowly but surely, Rewari was isolated. New arrivals of delegations and merchants were turned away under the pretext of security concerns, further tightening the blockade around Bawal.
Within the fortified walls of Bawal, a false sense of security prevailed. The communication network was severed, and supply lines were cut, leaving the fort increasingly vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Mughal and Jaunpur spies had meticulously mapped out the fort’s defenses, pinpointing locations of food stores, armories, and the all-important gunpowder storage rooms.
The stage was set for the siege, but one crucial obstacle remained: Jaunpur’s forces needed to be withdrawn from the fort without raising suspicion. Fortune smiled upon them when Punjab withdrew half its forces for its own security concerns.