Empire of India: Rise of the Ruthless Prince

The morning was cold and crisp, yet the capital city was brimming with energy. People gathered from nearby towns to see the coronation ceremony of the new emperor. There were so many guards in the capital due to the influx of people.

People were paying their respects to the nearby temples in the morning.

The day that was going to be written in the history books of Vijayanagara.

Amidst the bustling capital city of Hampi, there was a heavily guarded temple of Virupaksha, the patron deity of the Vijayanagara Empire.

In the huge temple pond. Splashing sounds could be heard as Harsha emerged from the pond. He was taking a bath before the purification ritual began. He was naked from the waist up, revealing his chiseled physique and clad in a traditional white dhoti.

He walked up the stairs to the pandal erected in the temple complex for the Abhisheka (ritual bathing or purification ceremony).

Pandals were ceremonial canopies temporarily constructed for such ceremonies using the best and highest quality materials.

The head priest of the Virupaksha temple, Acharya Vedamurti, was performing homam, a sacred fire sacrifice ritual that included the offering of grain, ghee, and herbs to the fire to ensure divine favor.

On the instruction of another priest assisting the homan. Harsha sat on the stool designated close to the sacred fire. Beside him was the head priest chanting mantras for the ritual.

Harsha was instructed to pour the pot of ghee to the fire with a chant.

"Aum Agnya Swaha." He then pours the pot of ghee into the fire slowly.

It is followed by the sacrifice of grains and herbs to the fire with different chants that invoke the blessings of the patron deity of the Empire.

Lastly, he poured another pot of ghee with a final chant to the Lord Shiva.

"Aum Namah Shivaya."

After the sacred fire ritual ended.

The head priest quickly got up, and they moved on to the purification ceremony. Harsha sat on a three-legged stool on the other side of the pandal. The head priest proceeded to pour dairy products ranging from milk to curd to honey that were used in the rituals.

Harsha was visibly confused at first by the bizarre ritual, but he just kept quiet.

He was definitely intrigued by these rituals, as it was a first-hand experience for him. He was taught about religion in the research facility but never took part in religious activities like these. He was curious about things like this, so the first thing he had done when he came to this world was to research the Native religion.

The head priest was chanting Vedic mantras as he poured each item on him. After a while, pots of water mixed with sandalwood and saffron were brought and poured on him to finish the purification ceremony.

This was water from different holy rivers in the Empire, implying the divine sanction of his rule.

"Swaha!" The priest chanted at the end, concluding the purification ceremony.

"Your Highness, The ceremony has come to an end. You can pay your respects to the deity and leave for the procession."

Harsha nodded with a light smile and left after paying respects to Virupaksha.

After leaving with his entourage. Harsha got into a chariot that went through the middle of the vast city.

As the chariot exited the temple into the city of Hampi. Rhythmic drum beats could be heard throughout the streets. Harsha stood in the chariot clad in white robes, looking and waving at the populace.

The people were well dressed and were showering him with flower petals as the chariot made its way slowly through the streets of Hampi back to the Royal Palace.

'My responsibility is to protect these people?' Harsha thought as he put up a fake smile while waving at the citizens.

Harsha was yet to understand the responsibility that came with leading the Empire. He was a novice in this field. He didn't understand why the people were cheering for a new emperor despite the empire's infrastructure being bad and the wealth being mostly held by the nobles.

After the procession ended, Harsha was covered in flower petals thrown at him in good faith by the citizens. He stepped foot in the royal palace.

Dressing up appropriately for the occasion. He walked to the royal court with his head held high.

The doors of the royal court swung open for him.

All the dignitaries and nobles were present in the royal court awaiting his arrival.

A loud voice echoed as he stepped foot in the court.

"His Highness, Harsha Deva Raya, is entering," announced a soldier.

Concubine Luisa de Castro and barely recovered Emperor stood on the platform. Luisa was clad in traditional attire and was holding a plate with a diya to perform aarti in place of his mother.

She performed aarti on Harsha. She finished it by applying a tilak to his forehead.

Harsha reluctantly touched the feet of Luisa to seek her blessing to show his "good" relations.

"May Lord Shiva always look over you, Harsha." She spoke, giving her blessings.

He also touched the Emperor's feet as a sign of respect to his father and also showing his filial relation to the delegates present.

"May the Empire flourish under your rule, My Son." The Emperor blessed Harsha.

All the delegates were present, overlooking the ceremony. The Europeans were visibly surprised by the stark contrast from back home. David Costa scanned the surroundings, looking in awe at the ceremony.

Akhil Holkar whispered to Naiki, both dressed luxuriously.

"So this is the new Emperor. He looks young."

"He is just 18 years old." She replied with a straight face.

"Damn!!" He almost gasped aloud.

Lokendra looked up at Harsha in awe. He was not the same kid from before. His physique was different, and his demeanor let out a strong air of authority.

The head priest, along with his assistant, entered the court with the crown in a well-decorated pillow.

They made their way to the platform. Harsha was standing close to the throne.

Acharya Vedamurti placed the ornate crown on his head and blessed him.

"Aum Sarveshaam Svastir-Bhavatu." (May there be well-being in all.)

The Emperor finally came over with the sengol (specter) that would indicate the transfer of authority to Harsha as the new Emperor.

He handed the Sengol to Harsha with a warm smile.

"Do your best, Son."

For the first time in his life, Harsha felt pressure as the crown was placed on his head. It was similar to carrying a huge boulder on his back. His heart was pounding with faint excitement of challenge and intrigue.

A natural smile finally crept up his face.

"So this is it." He muttered.

The feeling quickly faded, but he made progress in his journey.

A shrill metal sound rang in the court as Harsha softly hit the sengol on the marble floor.

The murmurs stopped, and everyone's attention became solely on him.

"Before the gaze of the Almighty Virupaksha, I, Harsha Deva Raya, the son of Krishna Deva Raya, swear this solemn oath to uphold dharma and justice.

I pledge to protect the sacred land of my forefathers, the empire of Vijayanagara, with all my strength.

As long as blood flows through my veins. Vijayanagara shall never fall. I shall rule with honor, never swaying from the path of Dharma.

Upon this day, with the blessings of the gods and the elders, I accept the sacred duty of kingship. Let the heavens witness this promise, and may I be judged by my deeds. As I serve this throne.

May this oath remain unbroken and eternal."

The oath of governance was complete. The audience was frozen as Harsha took the oath. They were in a trance, their attention solely on the commanding voice of Harsha. Their gaze is on him.

Harsha finally took a seat on the throne.

A cold shiver ran through everyone in the royal court as the piercing eyes of Harsha scanned them as if they were standing bare and powerless before him.

This was the moment all of them had a single thought in their mind.

"He is dangerous."

After the crowning ceremony. The delegations started to pay their respects and give their gifts as a token of friendship for the future.

The nobles from the Empire also pledged their oath to the throne in front of the delegation to show that the new Emperor had all the support of the nobles in the Empire.

The audience with the delegation and nobles finally concluded after a while. He had a finally event to attend, and that was to address the citizens of the Empire.

He walked to the top of the Northern Complex in the Palace to a balcony. Below him were hundreds and thousands of citizens eagerly waiting for his speech.

"SILENCE, THE EMPEROR IS ENTERING!!" A guard yelled to silence the crowd of citizens.

The murmurs faded quickly as thousands of eyes were focused on Harsha looking down from the top of the balcony.

"People of Vijayanagara, sons and daughters of this great empire, I stand before you today, blessed by the gods.

As I take upon myself the mantle of kingship, I am ever mindful of the sacred duty that now rests on my shoulders. I did not ascend this throne merely as your ruler, but as your protector, your servant, and the guardian of your future.

In the presence of the mighty Virupaksha and all the gods who watch over our land, I have sworn an oath—a sacred bond to uphold the dharma, to preserve justice, and to safeguard the peace and prosperity of our people.

But as the citizens of the Empire. Doubts may plague your minds.

"Is he really fit to become the Emperor?"

"Is he strong enough to protect us?"

Fear not, my beloved citizens. I swear upon my life as long as I am alive. Our Empire shall not fall.

I vow to all of you present that I, Harsha Deva Raya, pledge to bring forth a golden age for Vijayanagara—a time of great prosperity.

Let this oath serve as a remainder that my life is bound by blood with all the citizens of the Empire.

We shall not fall even in times of despair.

We are the mighty people of Vijayanagara.

In the name of Virupaksha. Let the Empire be eternal."

An eerie silence fell on the crowd as they were frozen by his speech, but it followed as the crowd broke into roars, drowning out any noise. It was like God Indra sent a lightning bolt to earth.

"Samrat Harsha Deva Raya ki Jai!!"

"Samrat Harsha Deva Raya ki Jai!!"

"Samrat Harsha Deva Raya ki Jai!!"

"Samrat Harsha Deva Raya ki Jai!!"

Harsha smirked at the scene, taking in the joyful atmosphere of the citizens.

He also had prepared charity events and a large feast for the citizens as part of the ceremony.

"Today is a joyous occasion. Let us all celebrate and feast to our hearts content."

Author's notes

This is the end of the first volume. This was the bigger chapter than usual. I sincerely Thank everyone that stayed along with me for this journey. (Don't worry, this extra words won't cost unless I write more than 100.)

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