Chapter 159: Raid of Dutch Supplies part - 2
Dutch occupied Indian territory, outskirts of shimoga city, few days back on 16th March 1557
It is afternoon. The area is a jungle with a clear path and a clearing surrounded by thick lines of trees amid the slopes. Soldiers in green leather armor and black dhotis, for camouflage can be seen cutting and chopping wooden logs to sharpen them nearby.
Captain Vishwasrao Shindhe, a 23-year-old Maratha, oversees the preparation of traps with his hand resting on his waist. He is clad in a snug leather vest reinforced with plate armor protecting his chest, and a turban crowns his head. At his waist, he carries a talwar, and a katar is tucked into the robe wrapped around his waist. He wears a dhoti and mojari for footwear, and a round shield is strapped to his back.
Standing at 5’8", an average height for a soldier, he possesses a strong, agile physique and a commanding presence as he surveys the preparations.
"Sardar," the soldier panted, "reinforcements are on their way, escorted by Captain Simha."
Vishwasrao nodded, a contemplative "Hmm..." escaping his lips. He claps his hands to get everyone’s attention and commands, "Mavalis (soldiers), gather around. Your commander is coming."
The soldiers immediately ceased their work, forming a disciplined line in front of their captain.
Turning to his subordinate, he commands, "Inform Sardar Patil and tell him to gather his men at the clearing."
The soldier salutes with a bow and hurriedly leaves.
Somewhere deep inside the jungle, on a branch of a tree 15 feet above the ground, Captain Jijarao Patil, a slender man standing 6’2" tall and around the age of 30, is tying the knot of a rope that is connected to another branch from a distant tree. It is part of a trap they are setting for the Dutch. He wears similar armor, except for a longbow and thick quiver, full of arrows.
Suddenly, he hears a voice, "Sardar, the Telugu commander has arrived."
He tested the knot one last time before shouting down to his men, "Everyone, get out and gather around!" Without hesitation, he leaped from the branch, landing with a solid thud on the forest floor.