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Chapter 113: Reclaiming The Capital City, Cuttack
Back on solid ground, Narasimha Nayak felt like he had regained his footing, back in his element. He promptly directed the disassembly of the large cannon from the warship, and the engineers got to work. Following that, he swiftly commanded the townspeople to procure a fully grown male elephant. This task wasn't particularly difficult, given their proximity to the Eastern Ghats, one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in Bharat. Despite a future decrease in the elephant population, the specific area still had a substantial number of them in the present roaming freely. Fortunately, it was a easy task, with a nearby forest village having a family responsible for caring for an elephant.
By the time the elephant arrived, the cannon was also disassembled. The engineering corps then managed to build a temporary carriage with the parts of the Mughal frigates that they had salvaged when those ships were destroyed.
After having a hearty lunch, the army got on the move straight to the capital of Odisha, Cuttack. This Peninsula City is situated on the banks of the Mahanadi River. Cuttack is one of the oldest cities in ancient Bharat, carrying a rich culture accumulated over centuries. Initially known as Kataka, it served as the capital of the Keshari dynasty in ancient times. Over the years, it witnessed the rule of different dynasties, including the Ganga Dynasty, the Gajapati dynasty, and, in the present time, the Mughals. However, it continued to thrive as a significant trading and cultural hub under various rulers and dynasties, thanks to its excellent geographical location allowing it to be the trade hub of Odisha.
In Earth's previous timeline, This illustrious city bore witness to numerous challenges in its previous existence, as the Mughals wielded their influence over the region, stretching back to the early 16th century. This influence left an indelible mark on the city's socio-cultural and economic fabric. The imposition of Mughal governance systems and alterations in administrative structures cast a shadow over the city during that era. Cuttack, like many other places in Bharat, underwent a process of cultural assimilation under Mughal rule. This assimilation is evident in both cultural and architectural aspects. Ancient temples were dismantled as part of a concerted effort to undermine Bharat's civilization, making way for the construction of Mughal Islamic architecture. These structures, characterized by intricate designs and the use of red sandstone and marble, still stand as a testament to that dark historical period, visible in various buildings even in the 21st century.
Hopefully, this tragedy will be prevented, at least in this current timeline. Soon, Narasimha arrived at the peninsula of Cuttack. The moment Narasimha saw the terrain of Cuttack, he knew that it was going to be tricky, as Cuttack is a city that is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Fortunately, he had brought the large cannon with him.
Taking advantage of the longer range of the giant cannon, it was placed on the banks of Gopalpur, which is located on the southern side of Cuttack. While inspecting the defence of Cuttack, it was learned that except for the direct land connection in the east of Cuttack, the rest of the areas were ill-defended, due to the city being in such a good geographical location, surrounded by water in all three directions.
But the Mughals would have never expected that such a cannon would have existed. However, there is no chance for regrets. "Boom!" The firing started, and the blast continued to put a dent in the wall of the Cuttack fort.
The guards who were stationed on the wall quickly sent the distress signal. Hearing the distress signal from the guards on the south side; the general of the Mughal army stationed in Cuttack, quickly assembled his troops and gave orders. The cannons of the Mughals were swiftly brought against the Vijayanagara army, but unfortunately, neither the range nor power was enough to reach the Vijayanagar army.
General Narasimha Nayak adopted a strategic approach, choosing to extend the bombardment of the Cuttack fort walls rather than immediately advancing. This calculated tactic aimed to avoid exposing his troops prematurely to Mughal cannon fire. After an hour of relentless bombardment, the fort's walls lay in ruins, lacking even a stable platform. Recognizing the dire situation, the Mughal general altered his strategy, navigating through the Chudang Garh forest to flank the Vijayanagar army. Aware of his numerical advantage, he noted the four brigades of Vijayanagara soldiers compared to his five brigades, preparing to leverage this imbalance.
The general's carefully laid-out plan hit an unforeseen snag when, just as victory seemed within reach, it all failed thanks to a traitor within Cuttack. A former subordinate of Roshan, now residing in the city, stumbled upon Mughal strategy and discreetly passed on the information to the Vijayanagara army. Narasimha, upon receiving news of the spy, wasted no time. He swiftly organized the heavy infantry battalion, launching an assault on the fort while the Mughals were preoccupied with their attempts to outflank them.
The daring gamble paid off, and the Vijayanagara forces successfully infiltrated the fort, catching the Mughal soldiers inside off guard. As the Mughal general attempted to circle back and flank the Vijayanagara army, he found, to his disbelief, his enemies already inside the fort wreaking havoc.
Narasimha swiftly capitalized on the situation, reorienting the giant cannon towards their previous location on the banks of Gopalpur to prevent the Mughals from charging. Not that Narasimha is afraid of a frontal battle, but he wants to avoid losses whenever possible. With the time bought, utilizing smaller cannons and guns, he systematically eliminated the remaining Mughal soldiers within the Cuttack fort. The Mughal general, powerless to intervene, could only listen as his soldiers were eliminated in successive waves. After securing the fort, Narasimha redirected his focus to the Mughal forces outside.
However, he faced a similar dilemma as the Mughals. While the giant cannon could still reach targets on the opposite bank, it proved less effective against scattered enemy troops. The giant cannon's optimal use lay in targeting rigid infrastructure rather than dispersed military units.
But soon, he got an idea inspired by Gangadhar's naval tactics. He had his men densely dig a hole in the path of land where Cuttack is connected to the rest of the mainland. Inside that, gunpowder was packed very tightly, and a gunpowder-coated inflammable rope was pulled a few hundred meters away, forming a large fuse.
Narasimha wanted his army to act as bait and lead the whole army towards the western end of the island, making the Mughals believe that they were going to leave the island and move on to the next target. He even ordered the captured Mughal spies to convey the information he wanted to the Mughals.
As anticipated, the Mughals fell into the trap, convinced by the misinformation. Their own concealed intelligence confirmed the apparent withdrawal of the Vijayanagara soldiers from the city. Contemplating another attempt to flank the Vijayanagara army, the Mughals again circled through the dense forest, making their way towards the entrance of Cuttack.
Their entry into the region connecting the peninsula to the mainland brought about an unexpected and ominous surprise. A serpent-like sound echoed, and an unsettling sensation ran down the spine of the Mughal general as a foreboding feeling gripped him. In the midst of his apprehension, a rapid, snake-like trail of fire approached, leaving him with no chance to react. Panic set in as the entire area became engulfed in vivid red flames.
The Mughal soldiers stood paralyzed, witnessing their leader succumb to the flames before their eyes. Escape became an impossibility as the bright red inferno consumed the surroundings. The unfolding horror intensified with the commencement of "Boom, boom, boom" from gunners and artillerymen. Despite the majority of the Vijayanagara army having departed the central area of Cuttack, the artillerymen, The musketeers and the gunmen remained on the eastern front. The dense group of Mughal soldiers faced a relentless barrage of firepower, transforming the battlefield into a nightmarish scene of burning corpses and shattered bodies. In a swift two-day campaign, the Cuttack fort fell to Vijayanagara forces.