Chapter 107: Preparation For The Battle Part:2
With the initiation of the military economy system in Vijayanagara, panic once again gripped the empire. The aftermath of the previous Dutch War, while yielding gains for the Vijayanagar Empire, had consumed a significant portion of its resources. Now, with the military economy reinstated, supplies were in short order.
In various barracks of the Vijayanagara Empire, rows of carriages and marching armies headed towards the northern border. The procurement of war supplies, including medicinal materials, clothing, and ammunition, occurred at an exorbitant rate. The addition of Sri Lanka slightly alleviated the food shortage, bringing it to a more manageable level.
Two days had passed since Vijay ordered the collection of intelligence on the Mughal Empire and the formulation of a feasible attack strategy to Marshal Yogananda.
Vijay anxiously awaited news from Yogananda and, fortunately, didn't have to wait long. A servant informed him that Marshal Yogananda had arrived. Upon this news, Vijay knew that Yogananda had completed the assigned tasks.
Lokananda, getting Vijay's approval, continued. "Your Highness, with the intelligence we have received, we have decided to attack four key strongholds in the south of the Mughal Empire, namely The Port of Mumbai, The Port of Paradip, Ratanpur Fort, and Panhala Fort. Your Highness, from the information we have, it is concluded that both Mumbai Port and Paradip Port are natural harbour ports capable of docking our ships. As for Panhala Fort and Ratanpur Fort, they are located in Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. If we occupy these two ports, they could be a spearhead for our further operations, and our logistics will be easier.
With the information we have received, the Mughals have mobilized 150,000 soldiers in the south of their empire, with 10 brigades stationed in Mumbai, as they attach great importance to this place. Five brigades are placed in Paradip Port, six brigades in Panhala Fort in Maharashtra, and five brigades in Ratanpur Fort in Chhattisgarh. The remaining four brigades are scattered in various places along the southern border."
"In our calculations, we have a huge advantage in artillery and weaponry, so it is beneficial to us for a quick war, as Your Highness suggested. Due to Mumbai being a crucial part of our plan, and with it being reclaimed, it will greatly damage the Mughals. Therefore, it is planned that ten brigades will be dispatched, armed with the Man of War battleship with its upgraded cannons of 12 kg calibre, along with a single cannon of 20 kg calibre."
"Four brigades will be dispatched for Paradip Port with our superior artillery and better weapons. It should be no problem to handle this small port. The remaining six brigades are assigned to storm both Panhala and Ratanpur Forts. Although we will be outmatched by a large margin, Six large cannons each will be deployed with each of the battle groups."
"This amount of firepower should be adequate to blast open the city walls within a few hours. The strategy is to quickly capture the Mumbai port as soon as possible, and then move on to Paradip port. The inland forts like Ratanpur Fort will need to endure a protracted battle of attrition until they receive backup from the coastal regions. The same goes for Panhala Fort. As for the commanding generals of these four military groups, Ramaya is assigned to be the spearhead to Mumbai port, Narasimha Nayak is assigned to be the spearhead to Paradip port, Yogendra Singh is to be the spearhead to Ratanpur Fort, and Kiran Poojary is to be the spearhead to Panhala Fort."
With that, the Marshall stopped speaking as he looked towards Vijay for approval. Vijay, having heard how the battle plan would unfold, nodded his head in approval. Signing the documents, Vijayanagara's war on the Mughal Empire which would start the unification of Akhand Bharat officially began.