Chapter 112: The Day of Weapon Exhibition Part -1
Rewari Kingdom , Cannon factory , morning of 6th March 1557.
Finally, the day of the most awaited weapon exhibition arrived. The delegates reached the cannon factory testing ground and were stationed in their scheduled tents with all the comforts that could be provided. Their escort armies were stationed outside the designated testing area, while the royal guards of Rewari managed the local security.
Amidst the bustling landscape inside the grand tent, Aditya was the center of attention. He wore custom-designed attire of silk kurta decorated with Persian-inspired embroidery paired with well-adorned trousers. The jeweled turban for head and intricately embroidered mojri for footwear, complemented his look, earning him admiration and appreciation.
Upon arrival, every delegate sought to greet him with their finest gifts, aiming to persuade him into preferential deals. Unique gems, perfumes, weapons like swords or daggers adorned with exquisite art, and religious items such as intricately carved idols and sacred texts were among the most common offerings.
Among the numerous gifts, three were the most notable to him. The Portuguese maps, detailing the South Indian coastline and the extent of their respective regional influence, were invaluable for his planned expedition against the Dutch. He was surprised by how detailed and well-informed they were.
The idol of Lord Jagannath made of pure sandalwood from the Gajapati kingdom, along with an open invitation from their ruler to visit their lands, promised future alliances and opportunities.
Lastly, twenty well-trained support elephants from Rewari, offered as a gesture for saving their kingdom, would greatly aid his logistics efforts.
Despite all the gifts and greetings, Aditya was in a sour mood. He struggled to manage, having hardly slept the previous night due to his discussions with Mathew, which left him mentally and physically tired. However, the presence of his butler, Hari Singh, ensured that everything was managed seamlessly, allowing him to maintain his composure.
As the formal proceedings concluded, the delegates and their entourages moved to the testing ground, with Aditya once again at the center. The ground itself was an impressive expanse, meticulously prepared for the event. Markings for dummy targets were clearly visible, each one set at varying distances to demonstrate the range and accuracy of the new weapons.
Along one side of the ground, well-arranged carts stood in orderly rows, each one laden with weapons wrapped in white cloth. The anticipation was palpable; everyone knew what lay beneath the wraps, but seeing the weapons in action was a different thrill altogether.