Rebel camp, Bawal , 1st March 1557.
Deep within the forest, in a grand tent belonging to the rebels, an ongoing meeting of leaders took place. Spread open in the center of the table were maps of the fort, their edges weighted down with small stones to keep them flat.
The meeting was hosted by rebel leader Rao Kishan Pal. Seated on his right was Jaunpur's regent and current supreme commander, Rahimullah, while on his left sat Ajmer's Prince Amar Singh Rathore. Surrounding them were their fellow nayaks (feudal lords). Despite the luxurious surroundings, tension filled the air as they waited for Rao Kishan Pal's response, his attention focused on scanning the map.
He pointed at the intricate sketching that denoted the wall and remarked without looking up, "I'm starting to think this wall is mocking us, even with our strength of 100,000 strong. We should have breached it by now. Remind me why we're still out here?" He gestured towards the marked area denoting the forest side.
