________________________________________________________________________________
- Samrat Bhavan, Delhi -
- September 1, 1936 -
As the banquet came to an end, the grandeur of the evening gradually gave way to quiet departures. The foreign guests, after exchanging final pleasantries, were escorted to their respective hotels, while Aryan and his close circle returned to the Former Viceroy's House—now renamed Samrat Bhavan. This historic building, once a symbol of colonial rule, had transformed into the heart of Bharat's new governance. A room had already been prepared for Aryan, fitting for his role as Samrat, a testament to the shifting tides of power.
The following morning, the sky was tinged with the soft hues of dawn as the day's first light illuminated the halls of Samrat Bhavan. Today was of great importance—Aryan was set to meet with Bose, Sardar Patel, and his parents, Surya and Anjali Rajvanshi. The agenda was clear: the unification of Bharat. The previous day's crowning ceremony had seen most of the princely states swear allegiance to Aryan, yet a few remained elusive. Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagarh had neither attended nor made any declaration of their stance. Kalat, or Balochistan, presented a different scenario—its people largely supported Aryan, but the leadership had specific demands requiring careful consideration. Burma, too, had minor conditions that needed discussion.
Stepping into the official meeting room of Samrat Bhavan, Aryan found his parents already present, along with Bose and Sardar Patel, engaged in discussion. Their words ceased as they turned their attention to him. His attire had changed from the previous day's ceremonial clothes—he now wore a regal yet practical ensemble. His slime suit, once used for battle, had been restructured into an elegant, modernized kurta of shirt length, featuring mandarin collars and intricate golden designs against a white base. Draped over his left shoulder was a richly embroidered cloth in a deep, majestic blue. Black, finely tailored pants complemented the outfit, with subtle yet sophisticated patterns adorning the thighs. Completing the look, polished black dress shoes added to his commanding presence. His wrists bore divine-looking bracelets, each holding sixteen empty gem slots, though their absence did not diminish their beauty.
As he took his seat, his mother's eyes twinkled with amusement. "You look quite dashing, Aryan," Anjali teased with a playful smile. "Though I suppose I should take some credit for that, given where you get your good looks from."
Aryan chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll not argue with that, Maa."
With pleasantries exchanged, the room turned solemn, and Aryan began the meeting in earnest. He placed two folders on the table, sliding it toward the others. "This is a list of corrupt leaders within Congress my network of intelligence had collected in secret—most of them Nehru's supporters," he stated. "Many of them have ties to the British and other forces that do not have Bharat's best interests at heart. The other folder meanwhile, contains more detailed evidence of their dealings."
Each of them took turns going through the documents. The atmosphere grew heavy as their expressions darkened. The revelations within the pages painted a picture of betrayal and hidden agendas. Sardar Patel remained composed but his eyes betrayed his anger. Surya Rajvanshi clenched his fists, his years as a revolutionary making him all too familiar with such political rot. Anjali's lips pressed into a thin line, her disappointment evident.
It was Bose who reacted most visibly. His grip on the papers tightened as he read, and when he finally looked up, his voice was edged with restrained fury. "I had always suspected Nehru's circle harbored individuals who would sell Bharat's future for their own gains, but this…" He exhaled sharply. "If this had come to light earlier, I would have never entertained the idea of working within the Congress structure. I had considered forming my own force before you freed me, Aryan, but you changed the course of the struggle. Now, we must ensure these traitors do not have the chance to derail what we have built."
Aryan met his gaze firmly. "That's why we're here today. We cannot let them undermine Bharat's future. We need to decide how to deal with them—whether through exposure, political maneuvering, or direct action. But one thing is clear: they cannot be allowed to remain in power."
The room fell into contemplation, each individual processing the weight of the decisions ahead. The fate of Bharat rested not just in unity but in ensuring those who sought to weaken it were dealt with swiftly and decisively.
----------
The room remained heavy with silence as everyone processed the contents of the document Aryan had just presented. Bose's hands tightened around the folder, his expression darkening as he absorbed the depth of corruption outlined within. Sardar Patel sat in contemplation, his sharp mind already calculating the implications.
Breaking the silence, Aryan turned his gaze toward Sardar Patel. His voice was steady, carrying the weight of the decision he had made. "Sardar, you should take leadership of Congress into your own hands. I will take care of these individuals. Gandhiji has always favored Nehru over you, but I believe Congress would be far better under your leadership. Bharat needs someone pragmatic and strong-willed to guide it forward, not someone who will bend to foreign interests."
Patel looked up, his expression unreadable for a moment before he gave a slight nod. "It won't be easy, Aryan. Gandhi's influence runs deep, and Nehru has his own support base. But I agree with you—Congress cannot move forward under leadership that compromises our sovereignty. If you are with me, I will take this responsibility."
Aryan leaned back slightly, satisfied. "You have my full support, regardless of what Gandhi thinks. But we must also think beyond Congress. I plan to shape Bharat's future political landscape to ensure stability. In the long run, we will have only two core blocs. One will have BSS as its foundation, ensuring strength and unity. The other will have a reformed Congress under your leadership as the foundation, free from British sympathizers."
At the mention of Nehru and Gandhi, Aryan's expression hardened. "I do not trust Nehru or Gandhi. It is not that they are traitors—no, they are patriots in their own way. But their policies, whether intentional or not, will always favor foreign powers over Bharat's interests. Under you, Congress can truly be a party for the people."
Sardar Patel absorbed his words, considering the weight of what Aryan was asking of him. Meanwhile, Bose, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "And what of Jinnah and the Muslim League?"
Aryan exhaled sharply. "Jinnah has made his intentions clear by refusing to attend my coronation despite being invited with the utmost respect. That was his choice, and I will treat it as a declaration of his defiance. The Muslim League cannot be part of Bharat's political foundation when its leader has shown no interest in unification."
Bose nodded grimly. "Then we must prepare for resistance from him."
Aryan's gaze darkened slightly, but he did not respond immediately. Instead, he continued, "I have already taken steps to ensure that we remain ahead of any opposition. My people have long since infiltrated the Congress, the Muslim League, and the Hindu Mahasabha. Information flows freely to me, and when the time is right, I will extract my supporters and bring them into the fold of these two blocs. Only my parents, Shakti, and Karna have known of this until now. For now, I ask for your trust."
Both men looked at him with newfound understanding. Patel, despite his naturally cautious nature, knew Aryan well enough by now, as well as appreciated the trust he had shown in him right now, and so he decided to believe in his plans, going forward. Bose, though always one to act independently, saw the wisdom in Aryan's vision.
With that, Aryan turned to Bose. "Subhash, I want you to join the political structure of Bharat under the BSS bloc. Your leadership, your vision for a strong and independent Bharat, aligns with what we aim to achieve. Together, we will build a nation that will never bow to another power again."
Bose's eyes flickered with something close to admiration before he spoke. "If you believe this is the best course for Bharat, then I will stand by your side."
A small but firm smile played on Aryan's lips. The pieces were finally coming together. Bharat's future was in his hands, and he would ensure that it would be a future where his people thrived without fear of foreign influence or internal corruption.
----------
As the meeting continued, the discussion soon shifted to the next critical issue, Aryan leaned forward, his fingers interlocked on the table. "We have secured most of what the British left behind, and soon, whatever remains will also fall into our hands. But unification remains the true test. Out of 565 princely states, the vast majority have pledged allegiance to me. However, the fate of the royal families and their status under my rule as Samrat must be decided."
A brief pause settled In the room before Aryan continued, his voice firm but measured. "Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagarh remain unresponsive. Their silence is an answer in itself, and we must be prepared for resistance. Beyond them, we have the enclaves of European powers—France and Portugal still hold land that belongs to our people. That, too, must be resolved."
The first to respond was Anjali Rajvanshi. Her eyes carried the weight of a seasoned strategist, her mind already calculating the next steps. "Unification is not just about authority; it's about ensuring that Bharat remains strong and undivided for generations to come. The princely states that have pledged loyalty should be integrated seamlessly. Their rulers must either accept positions within the new governance or relinquish their claims entirely. A framework must be established for those who choose to serve the nation in an official capacity."
Sardar Patel nodded, his expression resolute. "Your mother is right. The princes who are willing to cooperate can be given administrative roles, but only under the constitutional framework that prevents any form of secession or misuse of power. Those who resist, like Hyderabad, must be dealt with decisively. The Nizam is unlikely to surrender his ambitions easily."
Subhash Chandra Bose leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. "Hyderabad poses the greatest challenge. The Nizam, I presume, is banking on support from outside forces. If we allow this defiance to fester, it may set a dangerous precedent. We must act swiftly and ensure that no external power can interfere in Bharat's sovereignty."
Aryan turned to his mother, sensing she had more to say. Anjali's gaze sharpened. "Sardar Patel's insights and efforts in integration should be fully supported. However, there must be a clear message: Those who resist unification will not be negotiated with indefinitely. The longer they delay, the less favorable the terms will be. As for the European enclaves, diplomatic pressure should be the first step, but we must be ready to exert force if necessary."
Aryan's blue eyes flickered with determination. "I agree. We will first attempt diplomacy with Hyderabad, Kashmir, and Junagarh, but we must also prepare for military intervention if required. The same applies to the European enclaves. Our patience is not infinite. This is Bharat, not a land to be divided at the whims of outsiders or self-serving rulers."
There was silence in the room as his words settled. Each of them understood the gravity of the situation. Bharat's future was being shaped in that very moment. Aryan knew that what came next would define the legacy of his rule, and he was prepared to see it through to the end.
________________________________________
Hello everyone, so I want to know your opinion regarding whether or not I should move the Capital of Bharat from New Delhi to in maybe more in central regions or not.
Please tell me your opinions on this and if so where should the capital be moved to.
________________________________________
Thanks for reading 🙏 🙏.
If you are liking this story so far please support this novel through the power stones and let me know your thoughts in the comments and please review the book with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ if you deem it worthwhile.