Chapter 15: The Breakthrough and the Victory
Raghunath, the emperor of Maratha and India, had divided his army into three parts, and had assigned them different tasks and targets. The first part, led by his trusted general, Malhar Rao Holkar, was to march towards Delhi, and to recapture the city and the surrounding regions. The second part, led by his loyal ally, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, the leader of the Sikhs, was to march towards Punjab, and to recapture the region and the Indus river. The third part, led by himself, was to march towards the Deccan, and to recapture the region and the Narmada river.
The third part of his army faced a moderate resistance from the Nizams, who had rebelled against him and had declared their independence. The Nizams had fortified the region of the Deccan, and had gathered a large army of Muslims and Hindus. They had also received the support of some of the Maratha chiefs, who had been loyal to the Peshwa, and had tried to overthrow him.
Raghunath attacked the region with his artillery and cavalry, and tried to break the Nizams' defenses and capture their cities. He also tried to cut off their water and food supplies, and to starve them. He also tried to use his spies and agents to spread propaganda and dissension among the enemy ranks, and to bribe and defect some of the Nizam and Maratha chiefs and generals.
However, the Nizams managed to resist Raghunath's attacks, and to maintain their defenses. They used their heavy cavalry, musketry, and rockets to counterattack, and to inflict heavy casualties on Raghunath's army. They also used their allies and supporters to attack Raghunath's flanks and rear, and to harass and disrupt his supply lines. They also used their personal courage and charisma to rally their troops, and to inspire them to fight with the same zeal and determination as Raghunath's men.
The battle for the Deccan turned into a stalemate, as neither side could gain an advantage or a decisive victory. Raghunath could not break through the Nizams' defenses, and the Nizams could not drive away Raghunath's army. The siege of the Deccan lasted for several months, and both sides suffered from exhaustion, hunger, and disease.
Meanwhile, the first part of Raghunath's army made a breakthrough in the siege of Delhi, and captured the city and the surrounding regions. Holkar had devised a clever plan to trick and trap the Mughal emperor, Ram Singh, who had betrayed him and had joined the rebellion. Holkar had sent a fake message to Ram Singh, pretending to be a disgruntled Maratha officer, who wanted to defect to the Mughals. Holkar had offered to open the gates of the city for Ram Singh, and to hand over the Peacock Throne, the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and the Taj Mahal, which Raghunath had brought from Gandhar.
Ram Singh, who was greedy and gullible, fell for the trap, and agreed to meet Holkar at the gates of the city. He left his palace with a small escort, and headed towards the gates. He was unaware that Holkar had hidden his army behind the walls, and had prepared an ambush for him.
As soon as Ram Singh reached the gates, Holkar and his men attacked him and his escort, and killed or captured them. Holkar then entered the city, and took control of it. He also captured the Mughal army and the British forces, who were caught off guard and unprepared. He also captured the Mughal treasury and the city's riches, and freed the Hindu and Sikh prisoners and slaves. He also destroyed the mosques and shrines, and rebuilt the temples and idols. He also restored the Hindu and Sikh faith and culture, and declared his loyalty and obedience to Raghunath.
Holkar had won the battle, and had captured Delhi. He had avenged the betrayal of Ram Singh, and had secured the city and the surrounding regions. He had also expanded Raghunath's empire, and had established his authority over the whole of North India.
This was the next chapter of your webnovel, as he dealt with the rebellion.