The History of the World V . . . .

[OzzyKP]

oops, the save:

[KunojiLym]

"My Lord."

Tsar Peter II looked up from the piles of paperwork on his desk. "Come in, Shuisky."

The Prime Minister bustled through the heavy wooden doors, and stood before the Tsar. Peter, on his part, leaned back in his chair, an expectant look in his eyes.

"The Pope wishes to know if you would be gracing the opening ceremony of the new cathedral, my Lord."

"That's a trivial matter, isn't it? I don't see why I should attend. Besides, I have more important matters of state to attend to."

Shuisky smiled a little. "With due respect, my lord, such an action can be seen as a slight to the Christian faith. Your mother was a Christian too; there is bound to be discontent in the Empire if you do not give the Christians face."

"The Hindus won't be happy either," remarked Peter, as he laid down his pen. "But you have a point. The faith is in disarry as of late." He stood up. "Alright, I'll attend the ceremony. Did they name the cathedral, by the way?"

"Yes, my lord. They call it the Hagia Sophia."

[KunojiLym]

"Do you, Ivan Romanov, Tsar of the Russian Empire, take Geria to be your wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part? And hereto pledge your faithfulness?"

"I do."

"And do you, Geria, Princess of the Chinese Empire, take Ivan Romanov to be your wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do you part? And hereto pledge your faithfulness?"

"I do."

"By the witness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pronounce you husband and wife. May God bless you both!"

---

It was but a short ride from the Hagia Sophia, where the wedding ceremony had been held, to the Imperial Palace, where the reception awaited. The Chinese and Indians had sent representatives to attend, and even the Spanish were in evidence. Peter smiled and chatted with his guests, but still, he was relieved when Shuisky called him to a side.

"My Lord, this is what we have pieced together about the southern situation. To summarize, it seems evident that America's army consisted chiefly of French and German mercenaries. Here, there are travellers' accounts that collerate the movement of troops before and after America obtained Boston from India."

"What goes round comes round, doesn't it?" Peter remarked, as he leafed through the papers that the Prime Minister had handed him. "Still, this is most worrying. And I'm not sure I like the situation in India all that much either."

"You mean, the Indian general who came to power? I submit, my lord, that it was an inevitable outgrowth of American bullying. The Indiam are an ancient and proud people, there is no way they would had stood for such humiliation."

"You are right, of course." Peter set the papers down, and stroked his beard. "It is a pity... Asoka was a good king. But never mind that. Keep me informed of southern movements. If the Americans and their allies can humiliate India, God knows what they can do to Russia."

Shuisky raised an eyebrow. "It is not like you to be cautious, my lord. No offense."

Peter smiled. "Patience is a virtue, Shuisky. The Jews lack that, and that shall be their undoing. Really, they would do well to learn from the Northern Alliance. Don't you agree?"

"Most certainly, my lord."

[LzPrst]

Stunned by America's undiplomatic threatening of India to achieve their goals, justified though they are, Rabbi Jakob silently wonders if selling German arms to America has resulted in the creation of a Golem. A monster.

A few weeks later a messenger arrives reporting America declaring war upon India in demand of the return of Boston. Oy veh! Spain is fast to show their nature and calls for peace. Rabbi Jakob representing Germany in diplomatic affairs puclicly supports the demand that a peaceful negotiation be concluded.

A few weeks later America and India agree to the peaceful handover of Boston to its original owners. Some threats were made, some hostilities occurred, but nothing that couldnt be smoothed over in time. A most positive development in the interest of peace and balance.


Not before a year has passed a messenger arrives from India. Rabbi Jakob goes to visit ambassador Chanayaka with grave news. The mysterious death of King Ashoka and the assumption of power of some military leader is clearly a thinly veiled coup and a move for remilitarization of India and the reconquest of Boston, possibly even more of America.

Chanayaka's response to the death of his King was non-existent or hidden with extreme skill. Of course the man is a diplomat of superior skill, emotions do not run close to the surface, but the lack of even a hint of surprise does in fact puzzle the Rabbi. Perhaps Chanayaka knew that this would happen, or worse, perhaps he was involved in it. His former advocation against Ashoka's peaceful ways were well known as the reason for his presence in Berlin. No matter, what would occur next was of extreme importance to the stability of all the eastern kingdoms of the world.

-What will you do Chanayaka? Will you travel home and attempt to return power to the royal family? Asks the Rabbi carefully.

"It is pronounced Chana-KY-A," comes the dry retort for the hundreth time. The disparity between Germanic and Indian is considerable yet those learned have no difficulty mastering the subleties of the other language. Chanakya suspects that Rabbi Jakob intentionally mispronounces his name as he speaks Indian fluently otherwise.
"I will make a decision soon. I thank you for your hospitality and kindness, but I must consider what is to be done most carefully.

Rabbi Jakob leaves Chanakya's quarters thinking about the situation. -Oh well, time will uncover what will come, though he is again puzzled, it looked as if Chanakya was actually annoyed this time. It must be age and stress concludes the Rabbi as he returns to his own quarters in the Berlin palace.

[OzzyKP]

Map 1255 AD:

[The Capo]

The Spanish Succession (Part II)



Despite her greatest attempts to hide it, Isabella had grown quite ill, and had taken to a deathbed. She quickly converted to Christianity, a religion she had secretly become enamored with since her trip with King Sancho to Toledo during the Great World War. Promptly she was baptized and absolved of her sins before dying. Her father Isidor, who she hated, sat loyally by his daughter's side to her last breath. Spain was now, in many people's minds, in shambles. General Mendoza had died in the same year, and Bartolo Calderon de Cordoba (former Foreign Minister under El Cid) also passed away. The new leadership of Spain was unfit to rule in many ways, particularly due to lack of experience...

The Rise of the Hapsburgs...

Ferdinand was quickly placed upon the throne as the Queen had ordered. Despite his improvement in international relations, and matters of court Ferdinand could not stand being King. He longed for the theatre, and secretly enjoyed the company of other men over women. This obviously could not stand for too long in Spain. Already his brother-in-law Gaspar Guzman de Olivares had established a strong empire in the east, the cities of Santo Rodrigo (Huamanga), Toledo, Santiago, and Salamanca went over to him and pleged their armies to the House of Hapsburg (ironically, Ferdinand was a Hapsburg). This army was very influential in spreading Christianity from Toledo to most of the Spanish empire, including its capital Madrid.

Isabella's death marked the end of an era in many Spaniards' minds. They knew that Ferdinand was young, and inexperienced. He was a spoiled brat of the royal court and there wasn't much else he could do other than act, and maybe dance a little. Many jokes spread throughout the land of the effete (sp?) King of Spain. In fact many overtures were made against Ferdinand to Gaspar Guzman de Olivares, who they asked to take the capital and assume the throne of Spain. This combined with the latest troubles in the south between the Indians and the Americans created a feeling of tension and worry throughout the Kingdom.

Isabella II, for her part, stopped Gaspar Guzman de Olivares from any sort of coup-de-etat. She knew if he made any moves against Ferdinand it would only bring about a response from her brother Carlos, which would usher in a second Spanish civil war. From her history lessons she knew of her family's role in the first one, and didn't want to recreate that situation. It took a lot of work on her part to stop the ambition of Gaspar, but she was a wise woman, and knew how to control a man. Regardless of an official failure to act by the House of Hapsburg Spain was in a terrible situation; the talks with the Germans that were supposed to occur under Isabella broke down and the Spanish court had no idea what to make of it, the French had accused Spain of siding with the Indians during the Boston incident, the economy had grown even more pathetic, and the Spanish army became smaller than before. Something had to be done and Ferdinand had hardly any skill. Salvador Duarte, his foreign advisor, gained even more influence as Ferdinand trusted many decisions, both foreign and domenstic, to him.

Finally Ferdinand and Isabella II's brother Carlos V was elevated to General First Class of the Royal Spanish Army. He was given military conrol over their Conquistador (or Conqueror) unit and given military oversight over any affairs of these mounted warriors. Many suggest that if not for this fact, Gaspar Guzman would have marched on Madrid against Ferdinand, but that is all speculation. Carlos had prided himself on his Hapsburg roots, even though he married Maria of the House of Bourbon. He made it a point not to go to Madrid, in fear that it would stir up dissent; the man was the leader of the military, if he came to Madrid while the tension between Ferdinand and Gaspar was occuring it would paint a bad picture for the people. So he took his army from Toledo and began to explore the continent. In his absence the people clamored for a change in leadership, as King Ferdinand destroyed numerous Buddhist sites, and established Christian churches in their stead. Gaspar Guzman de Olivares, a devout Christian, surprised everyone by condemning the actions of the King and referring to him as a mere Vandal! He assembled a Christian army, dedicated to defending these ancient Buddhist sites.

In the year 1255 ad, Gaspar Guzman de Olivares marched an army to Madrid, where he would engage Generals Hernan Cortez and Francisco Pizarro...

[The Capo]

His Royal Highness Ferdinand, King of Aragon, King of Castille, King of Leon, and King of Spain.

TO: The Incan Empire, England, China, Russia, India, Germany, America and France.
FROM: Salvador Duarte de Sevilla, Spanish Foreign Minister.

As you may or may not be aware, our Glorious Queen Isabella de Castilla has fallen ill and has passed away. She has left the throne to her eldest son Ferdinand.

We appreciate the sentiments of condolence we recieved from England, America and Germany, and hope that her death can serve as a symbol of life's fragility, that we may use this to end the tension and aggression witnessed in the assault on Boston. There have been rumors of war and I assure you King Ferdinand is dedicated to peace.

Troubling, however, is the fact that Germany seems to have provided America with the forces it used to threaten the Indians. While on its face this is not a bad thing, it is marred by the German contention that they joined Spain in asking for the Indians and Americans to put down their weapons and come to the bargaining table. If Germany did provide the Americans with troops, why then did they falsely ask for peace negotiations? Why were the troops returned to Germany?

There are many questions that have gone un-answered, and I was merely hoping to shed some light on these issues.

Thank you for your time,

Salvador Duarte de Sevilla.

[LzPrst]

The Council of Rulers of Berlin

To: Ferdinand of Spain.
By: Upholder of Wisdom, Rabbi Jakob of Berlin.
CC: All other foreign ministries.

As was well known prior to the American saber rattling, Berlin had amassed a large army for the unification of Germany. Following the peaceful unification the massive force was partially spread out among Germany's far flung colonies for garrison duty.

However, the greatest bulk of the Army was still stationed in Germania Major, the mainland holdings of Germany. This army's size was a great concern to its masters as the organizational effort required to keep it fed and equipped escalated. As a result a deal was brokered with America where Germany sold some military equipment to the Americans to relieve pressure on the administration and allow some of the people to return to their fields and also provide Germany's treasury with needed gold. The reason for America purchasing these weapons were considered none of Germany's concern as we were given assurances that they would not be used against ourselves.

Following the American saber rattling Germany decided to allow America to hire some German mercenaries. There are three reasons for this decision. First and foremost, it was in our interests to profit from our military. And secondly, if America had a large force in their possession we believed, correctly, that it would be more likely that India would give in to America's demands without a need for violence. Some hostilities occurred, but following the shortest bout of conflict in world history a peaceful settlement was arranged, partially due to the boosted ranks of the American forces. And finally, they asked first. If India had requested to hire German mercenaries we would have gladly supplied them. Knowing the extent of America's military, the risk to our troops would have been higher, and thus of course would have required a proportionally higher price, but we had many troops left if India had wished to hire them.

The mercenaries hired by America were paid for in gold and resources and so was the weapons sold previously to the outbreak of the conflict. We do not desire War, but we are not responsible for what people do with our maces and catapults. The mercenaries were merely doing their jobs and lining Germany's coffers. What America choose to do with them is to us rather irrelevant.

We of course considered the possibility of America attempting to retake Boston, but we did not actively plan for it. We did, and do, however feel that their claim was a justified one which is why we encouraged India to agree to a peaceful solution.

If anyone considers this immoral then they should take note that a state cannot always follow the moral guidelines of individuals or they would soon cease to be viable states or possibly be destroyed by less moral states. Therefore it is in the people of the states interests that its rulers do what they deem necessary to ensure the strength and wellbeing of the nationstate.

[LzPrst]

Official letter to the Indian usurper.
From: Wilhelm Lord Protector of Berlin.

Your recent coup of India is a most viscious and deceitful one. Your assassination of King Ashoka is a blight upon India's history. Ashoka was a wise and good King, though he may have been loth to use violence the return of Boston was a wise and conciliatory decision greatly reducing tension between India and the former southern alliance. Your blatant grab for power disgusts all civilized peoples of the world. Your rule is not just and the royal family of India should be restored to power immediately. If you do not accept this demand Germany will terminate all diplomatic contact with your regime of terror until such a time when the proper rulers of India are restored to their rightful place. We also request that all other nations of the world refuse any dealings with your murderous regime. If any Indian forces or ships enter German lands we will open fire without warning.

Foreign minister Chanakya supports this demand, in fact, he requested it. Resign now and your superiors may show you the mercy the man you so brutally had murdered was known for.

[OzzyKP]

The Age of Ashoka Draws to a Close

Late into the rule of Emperor Ashoka, India again faced a great upheaval. After years of peace and prosperity under Ashoka, all he worked for came crashing down under a flurry of German troops.

Great works were built and great deeds done for the advancement of Indian knowledge and culture. Confucianism spread throughout the Empire, and many temples and monestaries were built to further Confucian study. Ashoka was a tolerant leader however, and also oversaw the construction of the great Tirupati Venkateswara temple in Bombay. A Hindu shrine, Tirupati was a beautiful structure known for its impressive architecture and great frescos.

Ashoka ushered in an age of culture and intellectual advancement. Intellectuals from China sparked a new focus on reason and rationalism above all else. Liberal thought and theory spread around the Indian world. Notions of freedom & equality flourished, and took hold in India. Art, music, literature all exploded in this period as Ashoka relaxed controls over speech in India.

Indian intellectuals from Delhi, Bombay and Madras all openly speculated a new age was upon them. An age of reason, an age of peace, prosperity and beauty that would last a thousand years. A golden age seemed near.

However the riches of reason that delighted the intellectuals of India so, held no sway in the barbaric nations to the south. Art, science, reason, freedom - all meaningless concepts to the barbarians. Ashoka and the Indian elite were shocked and caught off guard as a massive German army under American leadership marched on Boston and demanded it be turned over to American rule. The bombardment soon began and Germans soon started killing the Indian militia. Ashoka had no choice but to capitulate, and give in everything that was won in Great War.

The loss of Boston, and the humiliation of the Lightening War, had a profound effect on India. The idealism of Ashoka's reign was shook to its core. Pacifism, one of the hallmarks of Ashoka's reign was discredited on that dark day in Boston. Even ardent pacifists who supported Ashoka for decades began to question themselves. Popular sentiment began to turn against Ashoka & the pacifism intellectual class. Great debates were held in the Delhi Academy on the subject.

The Great Debate

The greatest of these debates was between two great thinkers & writers who held sway in India at that time, Madhavacharya, a professor of moral philosophy & social justice at the Delhi Academy, and a Confucianist, and Dignāga, a Hindu priest and writer from Bombay who taught at the Tirupati shrine.

They met to speak at the largest auditoriums at the Academy, but interest was so great, the academy hastily set up an outdoor theater to host all the onlookers.

Dignāga went on the offensive immediately, "Look at where the philosophy of appeasement and pacifism have gotten us? Boston stripped away from India through force of arms, that's what. As Ashoka cowers in his palace reading poetry, our brave Indians die and are subjugated by America."

Madhavacharya - "You forget that Boston was built by America, and was unjustly taken by India in the first place. They have every right to ask for it back."

Dignāga - "Unjustly taken? Like how Madras was very nearly unjustly taken? Like how the lands outside of Delhi were sacked and burned? Should we have hid in the palace while they burned our villages and took Madras? No, the Americans invaded us in the Great War, and many times threatened to capture the holy city of Madras and indeed to continue to march through all of India. Would pacifism have stopped them?"

Madhavacharya - "If we hadn't provoked them, then perhaps the war would never have occured."

Dignāga - "Provoke them? No, the Americans provoked and pushed us. King Bimbisara made a simple request, and the Americans refused to respect our borders. Are you saying then that India shouldn't have soverignty over its own borders?"

Madhavacharya - "I believe borders are arbitrary divisions of man. If I wanted to live in Madras and vacation in New York, why shouldn't I? If I wanted to teach philosophy in Berlin, why shouldn't I? If an Incan child wanted a better life in Lahore, then why should we stop him? Borders are simply a means of controlling people - to their detriment."

Dignāga - "Ok, what then about Mongol slave traders wishing to capture Indian slaves? What about Zionists from America seeking to overthrow our King? What about theives and murderers and rapists, should they be allowed to pass over our borders unchecked, unmonitored & unabated? Doesn't India have a right to protect itself from those who wish to do us harm?"

Madhavacharya - "There was no proof those Jewish missionaries meant to do us harm."

Dignāga - "Don't avoid the question. Does India or does not India have the right to protect itself from those who wish to do us harm?"

Madhavacharya - "You can't nullify the facts simply to suit your strawman argument. America doesn't intend to conquer India, they merely wanted their city of Boston returned to them - an understandable request. Ashoka wisely honored their request, and now we live in peace once again."

Dignāga - "And what if tomorrow that large German army shows up outside of Madras? Or Calcutta? Or Delhi? You cannot appease bullies. The more you give in, the more they will demand, until you have nothing left. The Germans and their American puppets will continue to demand cities until they own all of India!"

Madhavacharya - "No matter who is my king, I still own myself. Whether I pay taxes to Ashoka or Robert or Adolphe, does it really matter? Should we risk our lives for the glory of a tyrant, an emperor?"

Dignāga - "A tyrant? Haha, if you think Ashoka is a tyrant, then just wait until you live as an American subject - or worse a German. Your moral relitivism makes me sick. American and Indian culture ARE NOT EQUAL. Simply stating it does not make it so. How do you think Boston would have fared under American rule? Their cities are small and weak, their culture non-existant. Boston would have languished as a small, neglected outpost of America. With no infrastructure, no culture, no wealth, no people - just like we found it. Our "tyrant" did more good for that city than the Americans could do in 20 lifetimes. Go ahead and ask the people of Boston who they'd rather live under. I guarantee they'd say India. Except of course, they couldn't, because that foul man Robert wouldn't let them. Hell, the barbaric Jewish nations wouldn't even let such a debate as this take place. They don't tolerate dissent, they don't tolerate free speech as we do. If you value your freedom, if you value your culture and prosperity, then you have to be prepared to defend it. Yes, defend it with force if needed. Furthermore, if India is so prosperous and free, why should we selfishly deny this freedom to the people of America? Or Germany? Or France? Is it not cruel to allow them to suffer under the harsh rule of these barbaric states? I envision a greater vision for India. A vision of India as savour of the world, bringing them into the light of freedom and justice and equality. Just as giving birth requires some pain, so will giving birth to a new era for man. It may hurt for a bit, but in the long run it will be worthwhile. Your pacifism is a dead philosophy, Madhavacharya. It leads only to bullies taking advantage of the weak. We cannot allow India to be destroyed and subjugated by bullies any longer. Only through a strong India, a Hindu India will we be safe. Only then."

Dignāga sat down exhausted. Madhavacharya began to retort, but it was too late. He had lost the crowd. They cheered for Dignāga - the debate was over. In many ways, so was pacifism.

[LzPrst]

To Dignâga the philosopher
From Heinrich von Münchausen, assigned secretary to Chanakya

I have heard of the great debates occurring in contemporary India and I find the discussion a most fascinating one. As you may or may not be aware of I have been Chanakya's personal assistant and go-between in most of his affairs here in Germania Major and studied under him. As a consequence I have learned Indian language and Indian culture. I have read your great epics and I have written several works based upon Indian philosophers' works.

Unfortunately, there are some aspects of Indian culture that has been precluded from my studies. I have read transcripts of your debates and you have several times mentioned the barbarism of my nation, as of that of France and America, based on our lack of freedoms and liberal ideals. However, despite my most laborous efforts and even with influence from Chanakya himself and his contacts, I have in no way been allowed to read the works of your, or should I say China's, liberal philosophers. The reason given is merely that I am a German. I have been told time and again since the ideas of liberalism first spread in your own lands that only Russian, Indian and Chinese citizens may have access to the writings on liberalism. Your scorn of our small and "barbarous" nations and our people, may BE deserving in some areas, but India has done little, let me blunt, India has done nothing to change this situation, to enlighten their "inferior" neighbours. If the discrimination against my own people, and that of the Americans and French, had not been so arrogant and exclusive perhaps your lofty liberal ideals would have inspired America away from a violent solution to the Bostonian problem. I must also add that liberalism is not the first idea of progress that India has kept from the southern nations.

As for the German hordes and "puppeteering" of America, your information is simply incorrect and though I suspect it merely cynical rhetoric I will give you the benefit of doubt that you are merely misinformed.

Germany sold weaponry to America prior the eruption of the conflict. I know since I was part of the legal counsel drafting the agreement. Furthermore, upon eruption of the conflict some German mercenaries reported to America for hire since there was money to be made, the High Council did not encourage it, but nor did they prevent it, it was an opportunity for enterprising men of Germany and we see no wrong in that as we have never embraced pacifism, but believe in the strength of individuals to carve one's own fate. Furthermore, according to our mercenaries, they counted a mere fifth of the total force sent to persuade the return of Boston. Germany had no further involvement in the matter, this I can vouch for since I am familiar with all workings and decisions of the Council from my position in the beureaucracy.

Your former King Ashoka showed great wisdom and skill in his rule, but like other Indian leaders before him only for his own people. The scorn and arrogance of India that you profuse towards your southern neighbours have not helped our countries' relations, nor have they inspired a spirit of openness and cooperation. If India considers the nations of the south as barbaric, then India is in part responsible as you have most fervently hindered any ideas or communication from the riches of China to the southern lands, even exchanges with Russia and Spain has Indian leaders worked to prevent. India has ever since the death of Bimbisara who knew that knowledge must be shared and spread, been functioning as a great dam, withholding the ideas and progress of the northwestern empires from our nations in order to dominate the people of the south.

You and I agree in much. India has a responsibility to spread the enlightenment to the southern kingdoms. Furthermore, I also believe that a nation must be strong to protect its interests and its people. Yet our conclusions are far from similar. The use of force to change minds is so futile that it is only used by large nations and small boys. Your thinly veiled call for conquest will not result in anything positive for India, pacifism may be a dead end, but the subjugation of another sovereign people is far worse, and I assure you that if your current regime, or any other, wishes to invade Germany it will be to their detriment and regret.

You think Germany a backward nation. I invite you to come to Berlin and see that it is among the most wondrous cities in the world, to learn that Germany, nor any other nation can never be forced into servitude or new ways. Change must come by will from within, not without.

I, barbarian of the southland, am asking you, glorious enlightened one, to see with your own eyes what the nationstate of Germany is truly like.

-Heinrich von Münchausen

[OzzyKP]

The Rise of Hindu Nationalism & the Fall of Ashoka

After the humiliation of India's capitulation and appeasement in the Lightning War, Ashoka, a once popular Emperor became mocked and scorned throughout the country. The intellectual elites and the Confucianists still favored Ashoka, but it was clear the Hindu masses had had enough. Enough of appeasement, enough of neglecting Hinduism's importance to India, enough of weak leadership.

It began as grumbling in every poor village and hamlet in the Empire. Most people recognized the good that Ashoka did, indeed they were intensly proud of what India had accomplished under his reign. However, what good were those accomplishments if simple barbarians could strip them all away? For the first time they realized the crippling weaknesses of their leader. If the Emperor couldn't protect them, then what good was he?

Debates raged throughout the countryside. Typically the intellectual elite sided with Ashoka, but Hindu middle-class and lower classes that made up the vast majority of India began to oppose and resent the Emperor. After the great debate between Madhavacharya and Dignāga, Dignāga gave the people intellectual ammunition for their cause. After the debate, Dignāga published his main arguments in a convincingly written pamphlet called "Common Sense" that set India ablaze as more and more of the masses agreed that India was not "just another country", but a special country. A nation. A nation united under a common faith, a common heritage, a common culture, and a glorious mandate. Rejecting the pacifist, anti-Indian cosmopolitanism of the intellectual elite, Common Sense, made the case not only for the greatness and unity of India, but for India's great duty is the exporting of Indian culture, reason, and development to the world. By any means necessary.

Some of the debates that emerged occasionally turned violent. Sporatic riots occured throughout the Empire for a period of several months. Never totally disruptive - but it was clear something was brewing. Several royal buildings were raided and burned. Including the Bhartastile - the main prison in Delhi. As expected, the Emperor's response was insufficient. Ashoka assumed that using troops to put down the riots would merely escalte the violence and lead to open revolution. Perhaps he was right, but it just infuriated the onlookers who hated the loss of order from the riots. The lack of action by Ashoka merely proved the rioters right. He was weak, and if he can't even stop scattered riots, he would be useless in stopping further conquest of India by Germany and her puppets. One such onlooker was the great General Pusyamitra himself.

He devoted his life to defending India from her enemies. He saved Madras from Jewish plans for conquest, and was heartbroken to see Boston fall and have terms dictated to India at macepoint by the haughty Americans. All the deaths at Madras... for what? To delay the eventual subjugation of India a few years? No. India must be free from the southern barbarians, Ashoka's time was up.

Loathe to turn against his longtime friend and Emperor, Ashoka, Pusyamitra knew a coup was the only way to save India. He gathered those forces loyal to him in Bombay, and the people rallied behind him. A populist uprising had at last occured. Leading the ragtag militia dubbed "the people's army" south from Bombay they met Ashoka's forces in the sugar fields north of Delhi. Pusyamitra wasn't sure what would happen, but he rode out to meet the opposing commander. The young general, Arunmolivarman Chola, commonly known as Rajaraja, met with the old soldier, Pusyamitra there in the sugar field. Little is known what was said that day, but Rajaraja and his army did not fight Pusyamitra. Indeed, they joined him and marched with him to Delhi.

Delhi was taken and the palace captured on the bloodless night of August 15. Emperor Ashoka and Prime Minister Chanakya surrendered to Pusyamitra, Rajaraja, and the Indian people.

[OzzyKP]

The Reign of Terror

With Ashoka deposed, and imprisoned, and Pusyamitra not wishing to assume power himself, he instead set up the Committee of Public Safety, to guide the country during these difficult times. The committee's purpose of course, was public safety and the defence of India from the Americans, Germans and French who so callously invaded not long ago. However many elements in the Committee turned its attention first toward "internal threats".

The revolutionary fervor of the "Great Awakening", as the uprising would be later called, caught up most of the members of the Committee. Pusyamitra's place in the movement was soon overshadowed by Gupobin elements, whose radicalism dominated the agenda. They sought not only revenge upon the Americans and especially the Germans for humiliating the nation at Boston, but India's leadership who allowed it to happen. And the elites who supported such a disastrous policy.

The Committee on Public Safety, as the nation's sole authority, rounded up the former imperial family and advisors to Emporer Ashoka, including the legendary prime minister Chanakya. The long influence of Chanakya was finally at an end. Ironically it was one of his own devices that did him in. The Chanakotyne, as some called it, was an efficient machine for administering the death penalty to captives. The contraption was discovered in the basement of the palace, along with information on a curious black powder...

The Chanakotyne was brought out into Chandragupta Square - a fitting location, evoking national pride in when India was great and victorious - and there before the cheering masses, Emperor Ashoka, Prime Minister Chanakya, and many elites, nobles, and southern Jews met their grizzly fate. The square ran red with blood as thousands of supporters of the old regime were tried and given public executions.

Pusyamitra tried to stop them, demanding the executions stop, he never intended to harm Ashoka, but it was no use. The intensity of the people had reached a fevered pitch. Reveling in the blood, even Pusyamitra himself was Chanakotyned.

After several weeks, and several thousand executions, the Committee of Public Safety reached their senses. They knew the excesses had to stop, and they knew they had to unite together under one leader capable enough to lead them to repair the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Germans. The people, and the Committee rallied behind Rajaraja. He was declared Consul for Life. He soon set about the true task of this nationalist fever. Rectifying certain injustices in the world...

[KunojiLym]

Peter frowned, as he pored through the various reports on the chaos that had engulfed India. What madness had gripped the Indian people? he wondered. What madness, indeed?

"My lord."

"Enter, Shuisky." The Tsar rubbed his temples, and smiled ruefully, as his faithful Prime Minister entered the royal office. "What's the report from our allies, the newest state?"

"The General Rajaraja has been declared Consul for Life, my lord."

Peter chuckled humorlessly. "So ends an era. And thus begins a new one. Is there any danger of these jingoistic sentiments spilling over our borders?"

"With due respect, my lord, the Russian people are greatly sympathetic to the plight of the Indians. We are like brother and sister by now; one cannot stand without the other. But they are also alarmed at the havoc in India."

The Tsar smiled. "In other words, it is your opinion that we need not fear such unrest here."

"Yes indeed, my lord. The Russians, as you must know, are quite weary of constant upheaval."

"Still," continued Peter, as he stood, "This is an opportunity. India thirsts for blood; that is plain to see. The only question is, will we stand beside them, or rally behind?"

The Tsar paused for a moment, before he turned to Shuisky.

"You remember the letter that we received from the German embassy?"

"Yes, my lord. What of it?"

"Germany wants to convince me that this new regime in India is illegitimate, and urges me to restore the monarchy. Apparently, they have the same reading of India's mood that we do."

"That is not surprising, my lord." Shuisky raised an eyebrow. "And your decision?"

Peter chuckled. "Why don't you tell me your opinion."

The Prime Minister hesistated, before he spoke again. "The new Consul looks to be both young and popular. To go against him, right now, is to go against all India. In such a situation, the Russian people will be loath to engage in what they feel is an injust war, no matter the legalities of the situation. On top of that, we will risk the shattering of the alliance which has endured from time immemorial. The royal house in India is at a low point of esteem, right now, and to lend support to that, unless the Indian people desire it, is foolhardy. Weighing all these factors, it is best to recognize the new government in power as the legitimate government of India."

The Tsar laughed, and clapped his hands. "An astute reading, my Prime Minister! Then you will not be surprised by this."

So saying, he stood up, the German letter in his hand. He walked over to the fireplace, and slowly, deliberatedly, let the letter fall into the flames.

"My lord!"

"There is no need to disguise our allegiance, Shuisky." Peter smiled, as he turned back. "Besides, there is more to fear from the mercenaries of Germany than the wailing radicals of India. The latter has burned its course."

[OzzyKP]

To Heinrich von Münchausen, assigned secretary to Chanakya
From Dignâga the philosopher

Much is happening here, perhaps you've heard, so I must make my reply brief. You may be surprized to learn this, but it was from no failure on India's part that the liberal ideals currently taking hold here have failed to spread to Germany.

Indeed, I attempted to send a shipment of my popular pamphlet, Common Sense, and some other writings that would interest the German people, but the courrier was stopped at the border. Your despot hasn't permitted Indians access to Germany for decades. The borders have been sealed since the Great War, despite several attempts to thaw relations between our two people's by Emperor Ashoka, your leaders had none of it. Don't believe the lies your government tells you, that is the truth of the matter.

Furthermore your attempts to absolve yourself of all responsibility in the Boston Affair are laughable. Whether mercenary or not, they are German, and Germany is responsible for their actions. If German soldiers march through India, raping and murdering our people, then it is Germany who shall suffer the consequences - no matter whose flag they flew.

On that note, I accept your invitation to come visit Berlin. Indeed I believe I and my compatriots will be visiting all of Germany soon enough. Don't worry, we won't let your government's closed borders hinder our visit.

- Dignâga