Chapter 77: Call of the North
1834 – Hyderabad, Sindh
Two years had passed since the fall of Hyderabad.
After six months of intensive consolidation in 1832, most of the main Khalsa army had returned to Punjab and other parts of the empire. Only essential garrisons and Nau Nihal Singh's Mobile Division remained in Sindh to maintain order and complete the integration of the province.
The land had stabilized well. Trade along the Indus flourished once more. Local chiefs largely accepted Khalsa suzerainty. The Raaz network kept a quiet but vigilant watch over any lingering discontent or foreign interference.
Nau Nihal Singh stood on the palace balcony overlooking the river, the morning sun warm on his face. The years of governance had added a new gravity to him.
Jawahar approached with a sealed scroll from Lahore. "Fresh orders from Maharaja Ranjit Singh."
Nau Nihal broke the seal and read in silence. His expression sharpened.
"The Lion of Punjab calls us north," he said. "Hari Singh Nalwa has been pressing hard against the Afghan frontier near Peshawar. The Maharaja wants experienced mobile forces to reinforce him and secure the region. Our division is among those selected."
Gurbaaz, who had joined them, nodded. "Sindh is stable enough now. The garrisons we leave behind, combined with the Raaz network, can hold the province. Most of the army has already returned home after the consolidation period."
Nau Nihal rolled the scroll. "Then we prepare. Six months of building here has given us a strong base. Now we take the fight to the mountains."
A formal assembly was held the next day.
Sher Singh addressed the remaining senior commanders.
"The Peshawar campaign calls," he announced. "Nau Nihal Singh's Mobile Division will march north with all speed to support Hari Singh Nalwa. Sindh is now secure under Khalsa rule. The time has come to strengthen our northern frontier."
Nau Nihal stepped forward. "We will leave sufficient forces here to maintain order. The rest of my division will march within ten days."
That night, on the palace rooftop, Nau Nihal met with Jawahar and Gurbaaz under the stars.
"Two years," Jawahar said. "We took Sindh, stabilized it, and now we march again."
Nau Nihal looked north. "The Afghans will be a different enemy — proud, fierce, and accustomed to mountain warfare. Peshawar will not fall easily."
Gurbaaz spoke quietly. "I will send advance agents immediately to coordinate with Nalwa's forces and establish the Raaz network along the route."
Nau Nihal rested his hand on his sword hilt.
"We adapt once more," he said. "Just as we did against the Talpurs. Speed. Intelligence. Precision. The Khalsa does not fear stronger enemies — we overcome them."
Jawahar grinned. "Then let's go remind the Afghans why they should fear the Shadow Blade."
Ten days later, Nau Nihal Singh's Mobile Division — strengthened and battle-ready — began its march northward toward the Peshawar frontier.
Behind them, Sindh stood secure under the banners of the Khalsa.
Ahead lay the mountains, the Afghans, and a new chapter of war.
(Word count: 1,085)
This closes the Sindh arc cleanly with the requested time skip (1832 → 1834) and transition to the Peshawar/Afghan campaign.