Chapter 114: Reclaiming Puri
Narasimha Nayak deployed a brigade to secure Cuttack and then redirected his forces towards Bhubaneswar, an ancient city in Odisha.
Bhubaneswar, situated very close to its capital Cuttack, boasts a rich heritage and is renowned for preserving some of the most significant ancient Hindu temples in the northern part of Bharat. Gaining the moniker "Temple City of India," Bhubaneswar is adorned with a multitude of ancient temples, dating back around 2000 years, making it a prominent centre for Hindu pilgrimage. Among these temples, the Lingaraj temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands out with its magnificent architectural brilliance that continues to captivate even modern observers.
Throughout the medieval period, Bhubaneswar flourished under the rule of various dynasties, notably the Gangas and the Gajapatis. Temples like Mukteswar and Rajarani, adorned with intricate carvings and sculptural masterpieces, stand as testaments to the artistic brilliance of that era. The city retained its significance as a hub for culture, religion, and trade during these historical times.
Although it was raided many times by Islamic invaders, they were not able to destroy the city's culture and foundation, as it only made the city more resilient. Even in Vijay's past timeline, Bhubaneswar became the capital of Odisha in 1948, replacing Cuttack. The decision was made because of a strategic vision to foster balanced regional development and administrative efficiency. Bhubaneswar's central location, coupled with its historical significance and cultural heritage, played a crucial role in this decision.
As soon as Narasimha set foot in the city, he was immediately captivated by the enchanting sight of this ancient metropolis bathed in the warm glow of the evening sun. The golden rays illuminated its myriad architectural wonders, turning the entire city into an endless masterpiece of art. Despite encountering some resistance from Mughal soldiers patrolling the area, their efforts proved futile against the overwhelming might of the Vijayanagara army.
Narasimha decided to rest in this city for a while before he would set off on the expedition again. He visited various temples and architectural marvels to calm his mind down. Seeing Lord Shiva in the temple made his temperament more tranquil. The priests were overjoyed by the arrival of the Vijayanagara army, as it had been many decades since this ancient city had been a part of a Hindu Kingdom.
There was a huge festive atmosphere that evening. Narasimha took this time to reanalyze the strategy for his next endeavours. Soon, he received good news that Vijay was successfully able to occupy the southern side of Mumbai Island and is currently busy in naval warfare, and by the information received, it is looking good.
"Well then, let's get a move on now, shall we?" he said to his deputy as he assembled the army again and continued his march. Two battalions were left in Bhubaneswar for security purposes.
His next destination was the sacred city of Puri.
Puri, nestled on the eastern coast of Bharat along the shores of the Bay of Bengal and near the Chilika Lake, holds a venerable and ancient history. This region has been a focal point of religious and cultural significance for centuries. The Jagannath Temple, a sacred Hindu shrine with roots dating back to ancient times, was built by King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Ganga dynasty in the 12th century.
Even during the medieval period, Puri flourished as a pilgrimage site. The Gajapati rulers of Odisha played a significant role in the development and patronage of the Jagannath Temple. The temple complex expanded, encompassing various shrines, and Puri emerged as a hub for religious and cultural activities.
Puri holds immense significance in Hinduism as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, representing one of the four sacred abodes of the deity Vishnu. The Jagannath Temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Vishnu. The annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, attracts millions of devotees from across the world who gather to witness and participate in the grand procession of the deities; it is even said that this gathering could be noticed from space.
The popularity of the Jagannath Temple transcends geographical boundaries. The temple's architecture, rituals, and the unique deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra contribute to its allure. Pilgrims consider a visit to Puri and a darshan of Lord Jagannath as highly auspicious.
Unfortunately, it was not all good news. During the Mughal era, the region faced challenges, including instances of religious conflict. While there are historical accounts of Mughal rulers engaging in military campaigns in different parts of Bharat, the temple had been raided at least 15 times, and more that has not been documented in the long river of history.
One of the notable invasions occurred in 1568 when the Afghan general Kalapahad, under the Mughal Emperor Akbar, attacked Puri. The temple faced extensive damage during this invasion, with reports of destruction and desecration. The main deity's idol was hidden to safeguard it from being vandalized.
Another significant episode unfolded in 1631 when the Mughal Subedar of Bengal, Islam Khan, invaded Puri. The temple faced devastation once again, and the main deities had to be concealed to protect them from harm. One more notable incident from a parallel Earth timeline was during the reign of Aurangzeb, known for his policies against non-Muslim religious structures. The Jagannath Temple once again faced threats of destruction during this period. However, the temple was fortunately successfully protected by the local Hindus, and the main deities were again hidden to safeguard them from potential desecration.
Despite these challenges, Puri's significance endured, and the Jagannath Temple remains a symbol of resilience, drawing millions of devotees each year, making it one of the richest temples in modern Bharat with annual revenues of up to 4 million US dollars.
Vijay knew all this information and didn't want the tragedy to repeat. So He repeatedly mentioned to Narasimha the importance of reclaiming the sacred land of Puri.
Narasimha also complied with His Majesty's request. Taking back Puri was not difficult, as he had equipped himself with two brigades of soldiers, along with support from the Western Front at the Chilika Lake, where he had previously stationed his troops.
Without any surprises, Within a day, Puri was retaken. This good news was quickly sent to Vijay through some secret channels.
Within the week, three strongholds were occupied in Odisha, solidifying Vijayanagara's rule in this state.
Back in Mumbai:
A week had passed since the war started, and Odisha had come under Vijayanagar rule. Vijay, once again successfully launching the war against the rest of Mumbai, emerged victorious.
Because of the advantage of popular public support, the whole area of Mumbai Island was mapped out. Using this information, squads of gunmen, with grey uniforms, successively launched targeted attacks on the Mughal camp. They used advanced guerrilla tactics to get the job done. Mughals did not know what to do, as it was the first time they had witnessed any war conducted like this. Some of the higher-level Mughal officials even scolded the Vijayanagar army for being cowards.
But Vijay did not mind those words and continued with the same tactics. Since Vijayanagar started to employ guerrilla tactics, it had been sleepless nights for Mughal higher-level officials. Even the Mughal North Front army commander was helpless, as he had no clue what to do. When he went to pursue the enemy, they would run away, and when he returned to his camps, gunshots would be heard, taking away their soldiers bit by bit.
He couldn't hold on anymore and repeatedly asked for reinforcements. But the imperial capital clearly informed him that it would still take two more days for their army to arrive from the capital.
The Mughal-controlled Mumbai North army commander, upon receiving this disheartening news, sank to the ground in despair. The most pressing challenge he faced was the scarcity of time. Despite the relatively similar sizes of their respective forces, he acknowledged the disadvantage his army held against the Vijayanagara forces, who possessed superior knowledge of the terrain. Even though they ruled this place, they were not clear about its terrain because who would be willing to map the land where those untouchables stay. Now, he deeply regrets it. Coupled with the mysterious weapon capable of unleashing fire, it instilled a profound sense of dread in him. Time, or the lack thereof, emerged as a formidable adversary.
His mentality slowly collapsed as he saw his army getting reduced bit by bit. He now understood the meaning of the words "death by a thousand cuts"; he was clearly experiencing the same thing. Living every moment in fear, he desperately wanted to run away, but that would brand him a deserter, and the punishment for desertion was death for himself and the shame of turning his family into slaves. So, he endured, persisting in constant fear, relying on luck. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. His fears came true the next day when the Vijayanagara army launched a surprise attack on the Mughals' camp, completely shattering his mental defences and the will to fight.
Despite heavy casualties, the Vijayanagar army was fully able to occupy the northern part of Mumbai Island as well.
Vijay, finally freed from the ongoing operations, left the weed-cleaning duties to Ramaiya. However, the news he received from Narasimha filled him with immense joy. It was the victories in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Paradip, and, most importantly, Puri. He felt a deep sense of relief, knowing that he had at least prevented the tragedy from befalling these ancient cities. Though pleased, he couldn't shake off his concern for the central region, awaiting progress reports on the ongoing campaign. In haste, he pulled out a piece of paper and penned down further instructions.
The general was not idle either, as Mumbai was turbulent. With Ramaiah, the gardener, setting out to leave no weed in his wake, Mughal officers were being poked into holes left, right, and centre. Following this, Vijay ordered a concrete wall to be built in the east of the island to establish a stronghold and pave the way for the conquest of the rest of Maharashtra.
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