Patwardhan Family Home
Raj Patwardhan, the current patriarch of the Patwardhan family, found himself in an unpleasant predicament. The Patwardhan family had risen to power during the Second War, which pitted the Vijayanagara Empire against an alliance of the Hoysala Kingdom and the Bahmani Sultanate.
Raj sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling. "What should I do to get out of this mess?" he muttered, despair evident in his voice.
The former patriarch, Hari Patwardhan, had skillfully navigated the rifts among the nobles as the Second War dragged on with no end in sight. His strategic decisions allowed the Patwardhan family to establish themselves as members of the Imperial faction. This allegiance not only saved them from the purge during the Civil War but also secured a ministerial seat on the council due to their contributions during the Second and Third Wars.
After Hari Patwardhan passed away, his only son, Raj Patwardhan, inherited his position and the ministerial seat. Unlike his father, who had been a staunch supporter of the Imperial faction, Raj had remained neutral.
The Emperor, during the civil war, had to purge the rebellious nobles. This internal conflict, severely depleted their troops. Amidst this civil war, the third war, which involved the alliance of Hoysala and Bahmani, happened. The Empire faced a significant lack of military resources, which forced the Emperor to strike a deal with the Kingdom of Cochin. This kingdom was already in decline, having lost its king and heir to an illness.
To bolster the Empire's strength, the Emperor negotiated with the last surviving royal family member of the Kingdom of Kochi and its nobles for a merger. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Mahishapura (Mysuru), formally acknowledging the merger and integrating the kingdom of Kochi into the rising Vijayanagara Empire.
The Treaty ensured that the Emperor took in the last surviving member of the Kingdom of Cochin as his concubine, Thus leading to the Birth of the second prince.
This merger created different factions in the Empire after the War.
After the purge of the Nobles during the Civil War, The land held by the nobles was taken in by the Royal Family and some of the Land was sold to the Nobles in the Empire and the Kingdom of Cochin.
After the birth of the second prince, the Nobles from the Kingdom of Cochin pledged their support for the second prince for the throne. Meanwhile looking at this situation the Empress rallied support from the Imperial Faction for her son Chandra Deva Raya.
The Imperial Faction following this split into two factions one that supported the First in Line to the throne and the eldest son of Emperor Chandra Deva Raya and the Neutral Faction that didn't support any of the princes as it didn't align with their interests.
'Father, Please Forgive this incompetent son of yours' sighed Raj Patwardhan as he thought of methods to salvage this situation and try to gain back some power he had lost.
Raj Patwardhan hadn't made any significant contributions as a minister as well which made him lose his position in the council.
The Patwardhan Family ruled a region in Maharashtra, the influence of the Patwardhan family has been on the decline for the past few years due to the external pressure of the nobles. The family was able to maintain power and influence just because of their highly competent former patriarch.
He was now regretting the decision to stay neutral rather than just move to the Imperial Faction when he had a chance it wouldn't have led to such a decline in wealth and influence of the family.
Raj Patwardhan's current position was under threat due to mounting pressure from both factions to join them.
"Haa... At least my son is more talented than I am. I have to persevere until he comes of age and can take over the family," Raj muttered to himself.
Raj's son, Akash, was a prodigy. Always a step ahead in his studies and displaying an extraordinary drive to work hard, he was preparing to inherit his father's position. In Raj's eyes, Akash's growth was remarkable, far surpassing his own at that age.
However, Raj knew the cruel world of politics and the complexities of the palace. He was determined to shield his son from these harsh realities until Akash was fully prepared. Raj resolved to bide his time, waiting for the moment when Akash could step into the fray and restore the Patwardhan family's former glory.
Raj began scribbling plans on some paper, thinking of different ways to preserve his noble title. After a while, he looked down in disappointment and sighed, "Ah... these plans are no good... What should I do?"
"Do I have to rejoin the Imperial Faction? That might help me retain my position for some time," Raj muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes in frustration at the situation he had put himself in.
He noticed a paper his assistant had left, detailing recent events at the palace.
"The youngest prince, Harsha, has done some things?" Raj mused aloud, his mind drifting back to his first meeting with the prince three years ago.
The youngest prince had been a pitiable figure then, gloomy and with bloodshot eyes as if trapped in a perpetual nightmare. Raj remembered feeling a deep sense of pity for the boy who had lost his mother at a young age and was abandoned by both sides of his family.
During that encounter, Harsha had been wandering aimlessly in the palace gardens, without a servant, searching for something, yet appearing utterly purposeless. Raj, along with the other bystanders, had ignored the child, treating him as if he didn't exist.
He felt a pang of guilt for his inaction, but his own life had been filled with turbulence at the time. Sometimes, he wished he had taken the prince under his wing, to save him from the isolation of palace life, as a father might.
"What use is feeling guilty now? But let's see what he has achieved," Raj muttered to himself.
He picked up the documents his assistant had gathered, expecting to find minor accomplishments. As he read through the information, he was taken aback. The documents detailed significant deals signed with the Dutch and Portuguese, as well as the youngest prince's ambitious road development projects and their overseers.
"These achievements are massive and in such a short time?" Raj exclaimed, astonished.
"Even invited by the Patriarch of the Nayakas," Raj mused. "That's a big achievement in itself, considering none of the other princes have ever been invited by that stubborn old man."
The current Patriarch of the Nayakas was a formidable figure in the Empire. Though officially neutral, his influence was significant. The old man was strong, with military prowess second only to the Emperor, making him a major force in the Empire.
"Why would he invite Harsha?" Raj wondered aloud. "There must be more to this young prince than meets the eye."
"Anyway, I should seek the help of the elders to get myself some help on this issue of preserving our noble family," Raj sighs again
Contents of the Treaty
[Treaty of Mahishapura]
Preamble:
In recognition of the historical ties and mutual interests between the Kingdom of Cochin and the Vijayanagar Empire, and desiring to strengthen unity and cooperation for the betterment of our lands and people, the undersigned parties hereby enter into this Treaty of Merger.
Article I: Parties Involved
1. The Kingdom of Cochin, represented by Rani Jyothi Lakshmi Varma
2. The Vijayanagar Empire, represented by Emperor Krishna Deva Raya
Article II: Purpose and Objectives
1. The purpose of this treaty is to formally merge the Kingdom of Cochin into the Vijayanagar Empire.
2. The objectives of this merger include:
- Consolidating territorial boundaries and administrative control.
- Promoting economic, cultural, and political integration.
- Ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity for the inhabitants of the merged territories.
Article III: Terms and Conditions
1. The Kingdom of Cochin agrees to cede sovereignty over its territory to the Vijayanagar Empire.
2. In consideration of the merger, Emperor Krishna Deva Raya shall marry Rani Jyothi Lakshmi Varma, the last surviving royal member of the Kingdom of Cochin.
3. Two permanent council positions from the ceded territories shall be allocated within the administrative structure of the Vijayanagar Empire.
4. Both parties shall cooperate in matters of defense, trade, and infrastructure development for the benefit of the merged territories.
5. The Kingdom of Cochin shall retain cultural autonomy and freedom of religious practice under the umbrella of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Article IV: Implementation and Enforcement
1. The merger shall be implemented through a gradual transition process overseen by joint committees from both parties.
2. Monitoring of compliance and enforcement of this treaty shall be the responsibility of designated officials appointed by the Vijayanagar Empire.
Article V: Final Provisions
1. This treaty is signed in duplicate, each copy being equally authentic.
2. Done at Mahishapura, on [5 Ashadha 1602][13 June 1545], in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu, by the representatives of the Kingdom of Cochin and the Vijayanagar Empire.
[Signatures]
Krishna Deva Raya, Emperor of Vijayanagar
Jyothi Lakshmi Varma, Princess of the Kingdom of Cochin
Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Like it ? Add to library!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Reddy Noble Family Main House
"Haa!!! Those bastards from Cochin are always up to something annoying," Raghav Reddy, the current Patriarch of the Reddy Noble Family, grumbled, pacing the room with a scowl on his face.
Govind Rao, a young man engrossed in a book, and the patriarch of the Rao Noble family chuckled. "Isn't it funny how hard they're trying to gain an upper hand they never had in the battle for the throne?" he said, glancing up with a smirk.
Raghav stopped pacing and turned to him. "Govinda, never underestimate the Cochin Nobles," he warned. "There's that snake in their midst."
Balaji Mudaliar, a man in his late forties sipping tea, leaned back in his chair. "There is also that demonic woman. She is a real nuisance," he spat. "She's been trying to interfere for a long time, and she does have the authority to back herself up."
Anand Jadhav, the current Patriarch of the Jadhav Noble Family, sighed and rubbed his temples. "Of course," he warned. "We can't just go deal with her. That woman is strong, don't underestimate her because she is a woman,"
"All of you, shut up!" Gopala Shastri, a pot-bellied man in his early fifties, interrupted. He looked around the room, his expression stern. "Let's not talk about useless things. We have more important matters to handle. The prince will be here soon."
"Eh... Old man, don't be so stiff. Hahaha, relax!" Govinda Rao laughed out loud, stretching his arms above his head.
The room's tension was interrupted by a new voice. "Haa... All of you have gathered pretty early today, huh?" A figure emerged quietly, taking the host's seat at the table. It was the First Prince of the empire, Chandra Deva Raya.
The First Prince had, as usual, brought both his trusted retainers to the meeting. Ram, standing tall on his left side, carried a talwar and wore armor, his presence imposing. On the other side, Neelakanta, shorter than Ram but elegantly dressed, held a book ready to note down important points during the meeting.
"So, let's start the meeting. Any unusual movements from the second prince?" Chandra Deva Raya asked, his eyes scanning the nobles seated at the table.
Anand Jadhav, with a frustrated expression, spoke up. "Yes, Your Highness. Considering the new open seat in the council, they are trying to make the Nairs of Travancore head Ashokan Nair, the new member of the council."
Gopala Shastri leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "Your Highness, I suggest we push Govinda Rao here as a candidate for the new position."
Govinda Rao raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Eh... The old man is being nice to me for once! I am so happy," he exclaimed sarcastically, shifting his gaze to Gopala with mock appreciation.
Gopala rolled his eyes. "Don't get used to it," he muttered under his breath.
Chandra Deva Raya looked at both of them indifferently, shaking his head. "Alright, enough banter. Let's focus. Govinda, do you think you can handle the council seat if we push for it?"
Govinda straightened up, his expression turning serious. "Of course, Your Highness. I am ready for the challenge."
"Good," the Prince nodded. "We need someone of your caliber in that position. Let's make it happen."
"Me and Mudaliar here have been pressuring the Patwardhans to join the Imperial Faction as you instructed, but they seem to be holding out despite the second prince also pressuring them at the same time," Raghav Reddy mentioned, frustration evident in his voice.
"Of course, they're holding out well. The elders of the Patwardhans have recently gotten involved and are helping the current patriarch. But even if we can't sway him to our side, we've managed to topple him from the council since he hasn't made any significant contributions anyway," stated Balaji Mudaliar, sipping his tea.
Govinda Rao chuckled. "Well, unless he makes a comeback with some groundbreaking contribution, the Patwardhans won't be able to crawl out of this hole."
"What about the youngest prince? Should we be doing something about him?" Raghav Reddy asked, leaning forward.
"Harsha?" The Prince mused. "Hmm. He has made a name for himself lately with the trade deals and the new road development projects." Chandra Deva Raya reached for a report that Neelakanta handed him.
Raghav Reddy folded his arms, frowning. "Yes, but isn't that a potential threat? Shouldn't we be cautious?"
"Your Highness, don't you find it suspicious? He used to avoid everyone in the palace, and now, after his injury, he's changed, I have heard reports of his great martial prowess," Govinda said, raising his concern about the youngest prince.
Chandra thought about the possibility of the youngest prince becoming a threat to his ambition for the throne. "It is suspicious, but he's always been unpredictable. We can deal with him if necessary, but right now, his influence is negligible."
Chandra continued, "We can eliminate him if I think he will become a threat to me,"
Govinda pondered the situation, thinking, 'Are we underestimating the young prince? That report on the battle at Gulbarga was extraordinary. What if he's changed and is already preparing by biding his time? ' Then he recalled their first meeting two years ago and how unimpressive the young prince had seemed to him.
"Anyway, let's move on to our plan. We need to secure the throne before Cochin makes a move. We can't let them gain more power," Chandra said, shifting the focus.
"And has Cochin tried to block any trade routes yet?" Chandra asked, his curiosity piqued.
"In Mangalore, there's a chance of a blockade. Our informer reports that the Nairs have begun some unusual activities there," Govinda Rao explained.
"Mangalore? Does it fall under their control?" Chandra asked, furrowing his brow.
"Your Highness, the Nairs bought the land from a merchant. Now they control the route connecting to Mangalore," Balaji Mudaliar answered.
"Hmm... Prepare to tariff their goods and block them from moving through our territories. We'll act once they start any blockades or economic warfare. Understood?" Chandra commanded after a moment's thought.
Although he didn't want to ignite a civil war, it was becoming evident that a conflict might be brewing between the Imperial Faction and Cochin.
'Would Father intervene if there was a civil war? He wouldn't be happy to see civilians die, so there's a chance he might step in...' he thought
"Your Highness, there is a new merchant in the capital expanding rapidly to all cities," Anand Jadhav said, concern in his voice. "It's an independent group led by someone called Nakul. They've recently secured a road construction contract and have dipped their hands into textiles, ceramics, and metals."
"You mean the merchant group led by that young man who rose quickly?" Chandra asked, leaning forward.
"They started with nothing and grew fast. I've tried to monitor their movements, but they have a very well-oiled system. There's hardly any relevant information about their trade secrets. Even their caravans are well-protected," added Raghav Reddy fiddling with his notebook.
"Do you think we should try to get them on our side? They possess enough wealth to rival that stingy old man Prabhakar from Goa," questioned Gopala Shastri.
"They're a powerful force," Govinda Rao replied with a scowl and stretching his limbs. "The fact that they remain independent in this tense atmosphere suggests they're fence-sitting, waiting for the battle to play out so they can swoop in and declare support for the winner."
Chandra considered the possibility of gaining a potential ally and said, "Gopala, I'll leave the negotiations to you. Try to get them on our side. We can't afford to let Cochin snatch another powerful merchant from under our noses."
"Understood, Your Highness," Gopala said with a slight bow of respect.
"Also, Your Highness, Harsha has been invited by the patriarch of the Nayakas. This is a big deal. That old man is quite a force," Balaji added.
"Oh... Hmm... That old man is so whimsical. I wonder why he invited Harsha," Chandra gestured to Ram to lean down and whispered to him "Try to find out the reason behind the invitation. Is it just because of the road project, or is there more to it?"
"Anything else to report? If not, I guess the meeting is over," Chandra said, looking around to see if anyone had more to report before he left for the royal palace.
Later, as Chandra sat in the carriage, enjoying the scenery, Neelakanta, who was sitting beside him and reviewing reports, spoke up. "Your Highness, we might have a problem."
"What problem now?" Chandra asked.
Neelakanta handed a file to the prince containing documents gathered by the First Prince's spies. Chandra skimmed through the report, his face souring at the contents.
"Is this true? This is another trouble brewing," he muttered.
"The report has been verified. It's the truth, Your Highness," Neelakanta replied.
Chandra called Ram, who was riding a horse beside the carriage as his bodyguard, and said, "Ram, take care of this mission. It is very important."
"Understood, Your Highness," Ram replied confidently.
Creation is hard, cheer me up!
I tagged this book, come and support me with a thumbs up!
Have some idea about my story? Comment it and let me know.
Like it ? Add to library!