Chapter 149: Siege of Amer Fort Prt-2 (Crumbling of earth)
Kingdom of Amber, Fort of Jaipur, few days back on 12th march 1557.
The morning sun gleamed on the soldiers’ armor as they stood resolute, ready to march and reduce the fort to dust. Arranged in neat rows under their lords’ banners, they waited for orders. Excitement sparkled in their eyes as the fort’s gates crumbled under the barrage of cannon fire.
The flags with different banners fluttered in the wind. At first, the militia, trained in the ways of war, stood in quilted leather jackets with proper shields and gear covering their bodies. Behind them, infantry in heavy chain mail armor formed the second ranks. They were divided into spearmen, swordsmen, and archers at the back, which comprised the larger force.
Behind the infantry, the cavalry in neat divisions stood and formed the flanks.
King Karan Singh scanned the broken gates and commented, "They are not coming out. Seems they want to rat from the beginning."
King Maldev scoffed, "What do you expect from the army of traitors? Just like their king who eloped with my daughter, wont be much different. It’s their glory that they will be wiped clean by us."
Karan Singh, being skeptical, suggested, "Shouldn’t we send a messenger for surrender and ask for your daughter’s return?"
However, Maldev dismissed the norm with a wave of his hand, "No! I want them to suffer to the very end. Except for the civilians, not a single soldier would be spared." Clenching his fist, he murmured, "And that includes their queen, my daughter."
As the bombardment ceased, he sighed as he lost the cannons.
Turning back to his commanders, he bellowed, "Prepare the troops. The gates are down; it’s time to breach their walls and take the fort."
The commanders passed the orders, and the soldiers changed their formation. Similar changes occurred on the southern side under King Prithvi Raj.
Up on the walls, three columns of soldiers stood ready for battle. Two rows of archers in leather jackets poised to rain arrows, while the other two rows of spearmen switched gear with bows to follow their lead and add more weight to the barrage. Each side had a group of 100 units led by a skillful commander of the group.