Reborn In 17th century India with Black Technology

189  Nobility, Inheritance, Election Part :3 (200 Word Monologue At The End)

Dakshina Bharatiya Empire, Vijayanagara State, Hampi, Palace Grounds.

Next, it was Ravichandra Rao who got on the stage. Immediately, everyone silenced down for the old prime minister to speak.

"The second entity of the constitution is the imperial committee, where His Majesty the emperor controls the military of the Empire, the internal intelligence, taxation, executive judicial division, The Academy of Sciences, and the Swachh Bharat society."

"..."

"....."

"....."

He then went on to explain what each department is responsible for and also His Majesty's share of 15.1% of the fiscal revenue of the Empire.

Hearing this, everyone quieted down as they looked at the power His Majesty possesses. It is not weaker than the government; on certain occasions, His Majesty's power remained unchanged, as he could dissolve the parliament whenever necessary.

It was then that the smart people, who were actually the majority among the crowd as the crowd was filled with elites, discovered that His Majesty the Emperor was actually the supreme ruler of the Empire, and the prime minister was just a puppet under him. Considering that His Majesty could influence the parliament with the various departments he controls, including the complete control of the military, the so-called constitution is not much of a hindrance to him. The only department that could remotely harm His Majesty is the Swatchh Bharat Society. However, it begs the question: why would the royal family need to embezzle state money when they are already the richest in the empire? So, in actuality, the chains Vijay made are invisible to him.

The less intelligent among the crowd thought it was unnecessary, as His Majesty was eating the food by the hand that went around his neck.

Finally, after Ravichandra Rao finished the speech and cleared the doubts, it was the monk Kishore Balabhadra who made a first time appearance in public. He stood on the stage as he was stared at by hundreds of curious and inquiring gazes. If it was anyone else in his position, they would already run away or pee their pants, but Kishor was different. He was not scared of these elites as he had nothing to fear even under the gaze of the emperor. So, he bowed his head as a greeting and went on to explain his duties as the observer of the Empire, the leader of the third entity in the constitution of Bharat.

"....."

After his explanation, the audience of elites finally became acquainted with the monk again as they discovered the extent of power he held during elections and examinations. What intrigued them even more was the power of nobility selection he possessed, which the monk said, would be revealed shortly.

Finally, Vijay took the stage again as he started with a sentence that sent shockwaves down the nobles.

"From this day onwards, the old noble titles will no longer be accepted. All the nobles in the Empire will no longer get the privileges they are accustomed to."

"It's over, it's over," said an elderly noble as he fainted.

"Whattttt "

"Nooooo!"

The scene across the crowd mirrored a mixture of emotions, with some nobles fainting and others struggling to suppress their feelings. Some wanted to get up, yell, or storm out of the event to express their dissatisfaction, but they refrained, well aware that challenging His Majesty the Emperor would be futile. They finally comprehended His Majesty's plan – he aimed to replace them and enlist commoners to aid in ruling the empire. Initially, they felt fortunate for not joining the rebellion and colluding with His Majesty's cousin. However, now they were filled with regret, pondering if joining could have preserved their power. Such thoughts permeated their minds.

Ignoring them, Vijay continued, "The new nobility of the Empire will no longer be based on lineage. Instead, it is a position earned by the person themselves. Nobility comes in different forms: court nobles given to politicians after winning the election, civilian nobles given to common people contributing to the well-being of the Empire, military nobles selected among soldiers and citizens after reaching a certain merit and showing great bravery and valour for the cause of the Empire. Lastly, the Merchant nobles were granted noble titles for pioneering new industries that boosted the economy of the Empire."

The nobility is divided into five classes, and they are granted to anyone eligible by the observer except for the Military nobility. Military nobility operates differently, with the Nobility Bureau in the military calculating the merits of soldiers and assigning the noble title with the permission of various departments. To ensure fairness in the distribution of titles, the requirements for obtaining a title are openly published, allowing anyone meeting the criteria to be considered.

The fifth rank of nobility is held only by myself, the Emperor and the fourth rank is occupied by the Prime Minister of the Empire and various kings selected for each state. The selected kings will have a similar reduced version of powers to the Emperor but at the state level. Nobility titles will be taken away after the death of the holder. The only exception is the Devaraya royal family, who will have a permanent position as the king of the Empire in various states rotating every emperor's term.

The benefits of nobility could vary from one type to another, but common among the benefits is tax relief.

Finally, the position of the Emperor," Vijay stopped, looked at the crowd, took a breath, and said loudly, "WILL NOT BE HEREDITARY."

This last remark made Kavya, who was sitting relaxed, stand up as she could not believe what Vijay said. Was he disappointed with her not being able to bear a child? If so, why not just marry a new wife? Does he like her so much that he is willing to let the great Deva Raya royal family end with him? She could not help but sob silently, as she did not know whether to feel happy or sad.

This reaction was not only by Kavya, as even the ministers stood up in shock, as they were also not informed. This included the Shetty family, as Vijay's grandfather and uncle glared at Vijay for making such a decision. It was a decision of a madman.

Sunil Shetty glared at Ravichandra Rao as if asking, 'Why did you not stop him?', seeing that Ravichandra Rao was in a calm mood. Sunil could see that the old minister knew this information beforehand.

It was actually Vijay who made an exception and told the news to the old man, as he was worried that he would get a heart attack and die. Seeing that the crowd stood up in an uproar and made a lot of noise, Vijay became angry, as they did not sit down when he waved his hand.

So he roared.

"ENOUGH," a resounding roar echoed through the hall, silencing the murmurs and hushed conversations. The weight of Vijay's roar hung in the air as all eyes turned to the Emperor.

"The royal lineage, spanning 14 generations from the visionary Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, the founders of our glorious kingdom, to my esteemed great-grandfather Krishnadevaraya, and the legacy continued through my grandfather and my father, Sri Rangaraya. Over the course of nearly four centuries, our family has witnessed the ebb and flow of prosperity, weathering both the benevolent and the malevolent tides of time. The empire has faced challenges and triumphs, moments of ascent, and inevitable declines. Yet, the present era is marked by an unprecedented shift. In a world where one misstep can crumble even mightier empires, where uncertainty looms on the horizon, we stand at a crossroads.

In these intricate and turbulent times, the mantle of leadership must rest upon capable shoulders. The age-old saying that 'Might make right' has persisted, but true prosperity for an empire lies not just in the strength of the mighty but in a path for the weak to rise. Only through a passage for the weak to become strong can the empire thrive. For, if strength emerges from the weak without a clear way forward, the very strength, once nurtured from the feeble environment of lowliness, becomes hard and strong with trials and tribulations, will then bursts through the confines imposed by the 'Strong' Masters, taking the whole system with it."

Vijay's face glowed with seriousness as he spoke.

"I solemnly declare that no descendant of mine shall meet their demise due to incompetence, nor shall they mark the end of the revered lineage that has governed this Empire across 14 generations. The blood and sacrifice poured into the foundation of this empire have left an indelible mark on my mind. As an emperor, I have withstood the weight of my ambition, a heavy burden that accompanies the majesty of this Crown. The crown upon my head, seemingly regal, carries the gravity of my sins and the weight of the Empire.

I refuse to let this sacred legacy, cultivated through centuries of ancestors' efforts, become a mere pawn in the hands of a wayward scion bearing my name. Having committed deeds both dark and consequential, I recognize the magnitude of my actions in the pursuit of maintaining this Empire. The throne, far from a symbol of mere authority, has become a symbol of my bondage, my own bondage to the Empire.

Upon reaching the twilight of my years, I pledge to relinquish the throne, passing the sceptre to one chosen by the very heartbeat of our Empire—the common people. In this Generational transition, the power to elect the emperor shall rest solely in the hands of the masses. Neither the privileged elites nor the influential nobles shall sway this sacred choice. The voice of the common people, resonating through their votes, shall determine the heir to the throne.

"Should my descendant aspire to ascend to the imperial mantle, they shall receive the privilege of a head start, courtesy of their lineage. However, beyond this, they will have to compete with the kings chosen by the emperor. Finally, their destiny lies in the hands of the people. The mantle of emperorship is not a birthright but a testament to the will and trust of the Empire's citizens—a testament that I entrust to the democratic spirit of the common folk to decide their sovereign."

"So, my esteemed citizens, the destiny of our cherished Empire now rests in your capable hands. Select your ministers with discernment, for it is you who will shape the path forward. The election process is set to commence a month from now, following the transition period of a month. To participate in this pivotal event, familiarize yourselves with the constitution through thorough reading and successful completion of the civil exam, scheduled to commence in just three weeks.

As we usher in a new era, the inaugural parliamentary session will convene shortly after the joyous occasion of Ugadi, two months from today. In this Land of possibilities, may your choices be guided by wisdom, fairness, and a collective vision for our prosperous future.

In closing, let us seek the blessings of the Almighty. May God bestow upon you the strength to choose wisely, and may His divine blessings grace our beloved Bharat with prosperity and harmony. Thank you, and may the journey ahead be filled with the light of a promising dawn."

P.S. Is it too overboard? It seems like it. Sorry.

P.S. Some readers have expressed disapproval of the electoral monarchy. However, consider this: Vijay will expedite the timeline and usher in the industrial age more quickly. With his prestige and the training his children would receive from him, they likely maintained the throne until the 19th century solely based on Vijay's influence. After that, it may not differ much from the 21st century in terms of technology, when the absolute rule of the strong is expected to come to an end.

Also, note that only new politicians keep emerging, and no political dynasty is present. This provides multiple decades for the emperor to learn and exercise his power. Vijay's descendants, as the only continuous dynasty, will always have a dedicated royal seat. It will only take a talented individual to ascend the throne or an exceptional person to fully tilt the power of the Empire in their favour, eventually becoming an autocratic monarch.

Another reason Vijay chose not to implement this reform after Akhand Bharat is that it would be more challenging with lakhs of nobles.

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