Chapter 24: The production of First Firearms
The sun had just crossed the horizon when Ayush strolled in the middle of the Garha Royal Blacksmith District, where the kingdom's finest weapons and armor were made.
The pungent smell of burning coal and metal hung in the air, combined with the incessant tinkle of hammers hitting anvils in the workshops.
Queen Durgawati had assigned Ayush complete control over the gun-making project, and now was the time to start.
Ayush was joined by his minister and strategist, Gaurav Rajput, and Rajeshwari, who had insisted on going along to see the work in progress.
The Garha blacksmiths had been summoned into the open courtyard; forty men, all of them master weapon makers. Their arms were bulging with muscle, their hands hardened to callousness by years of work in steel. They were the pride of Garha's weapon-making industry.
Ayush took a step forward and addressed them with a commanding stare.
"You have all been summoned here for a quest that will forge the future of this kingdom." His voice was commanding, seeking their attention.
"Up till today, you have forged swords, spears, and armor, but today we undertake something much greater."
Gossip swirled around the group. The blacksmiths exchanged looks with curiosity, wondering what something greater.
Rajeshwari, noticing their bewilderment, stepped ahead. "You are all the finest blacksmiths of Garha, but at this moment, we desire you to learn a different art: the art of gun-making."
The grumblings turned into wails. Some of the older blacksmiths gazed with doubt.
One of them, an old master blacksmith with a gray beard called Shivram, stroked his beard and spoke. "Your Highness, I have been a blacksmith for thirty years. I know about firearms, but I've never made one. How can we make something we don't even know?"
Ayush smiled. He had known this question would be asked. "That is why I have already sent in experts to instruct you."
On his command, eight guards stepped forward. These were Ayush's own warriors, best soldiers trained to make guns and to fight with guns from a very young age. They towered over him, their disciplinarian faces stern.
Among them was a stout fellow named Keshav, who gave a nod in Ayush's direction before gazing at the blacksmiths.
"We are here to assist you. You are experts at handling metal, and we are experts at making guns. We will join hands to forge the strongest weapons of our times."
Shivram and the other smiths listened intently. They were skeptical, but they both liked the prince and the upper-ranking guards. If what they claimed was true, then this was something to be learned that was entirely new; something with the capability to revolutionize warfare.
"Very well," Shivram finally said.
"Teach us."
Ayush grinned in delight. The first hurdle was over.
The second issue was the organization of a gunsmithing workshop. As opposed to the traditional blacksmith workshops, gunsmithing demanded accuracy, new equipment, and another furnace.
Ayush, in advance, had set up a huge warehouse as an armory workshop. It was a roomy, well-ventilated building that could be utilized to accommodate several hundred forge stations and assembly rooms. The blacksmiths were led there, and they discovered workbenches loaded with unknown new tools; barrel molds, rifling equipment, drilling fixtures, and precise metal clamps.
Keshav and the other special guards started to demonstrate the process.
"First, they form the barrel." Keshav demonstrated, holding up a tall, cylindrical iron form.
"A sword doesn't require a straight shape like this gun barrel. Here, any deviation would make the gun misfire or even explode in the handler's hands."
"And then we assemble the firing mechanism." Keshav went on. He set down a trigger assembly on the table. It was small, intricate piece of machinery with springs and levers.
"This is the core of the gun. When you fire it, the steel hits the flint, producing a spark that lights the gunpowder, which propels the bullet."
Ayush watched their expressions. They were all interested, but some of them were still skeptical.
Shivram folded his arms. "It is not like shaping a sword. It is precise work."
Keshav smiled smugly. "That is why you will be taught. Master Shivram, do you not trust your own hand?"
The old blacksmith sneered. "Of course not. I have mastered steel. If this is merely another form of metalworking, I will master this too."
Ayush smiled. "That is the attitude I wished to see."
For the following ten days, the blacksmiths were instructed by the top guards, and they went through every step in the gun-making process.
The first model musket was finally finished.
It was long and sturdy, made of polished wood for the stock and a smooth iron for the barrel. The blacksmiths had precision-cut the rifling grooves inside so that it would shoot more accurately.
Ayush tested the weapon, holding it by the length. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.
"Let's try it."
The guards established a test range prior to the workshop. There was a target at a distance of fifty meters.
Keshav charged the musket, loaded the gunpowder, and raised it to shoulder level.
A deafening BOOM shook the field as the barrel burst into smoke.
After the dust had settled, there was a neat bullet hole in the middle of the target.
The blacksmiths stared in amazement. They had spent their entire lives hammering swords, but this gun could kill from afar, with precision.
Ayush smiled. "This is just the start. Soon enough, we will mass-produce these."
With the first prototype being a success, it was time to ramp up production.
Ayush gave a series of orders:
1. Hire more blacksmiths – More trained hands were recruited from surrounding villages and trained in the art of gunmaking.
2. Establish specialized workshops – More buildings were added, each handling a different aspect of the gun (barrels, triggers, stocks).
3. Source raw materials – Saltpeter mines to make gunpowder and iron smelting plants were added.
Queen Durgawati herself sanctioned Ayush's recommendations, allowing him unhampered access to Garha's resources.
Late one night, after having worked late into the night supervising production, Ayush got a system alert.
[WARNING: An enemy force has discovered about your gun project.]
[Estimated time before enemy spies try sabotage: 20 days.]
Ayush frowned.
"So, our enemies are already making a move. Interesting."
He had no way of allowing them to get away with it.
. Few hours later, in the another room.
The golden glow of oil lamps danced across the war council room, casting vibrant shadows on the stone walls.
Ayush sat at the head of the table, his piercing eyes scanning the men seated before him.
Gaurav Rajput stood at his shoulder, his thoughts already strategizing. Across from him were Keshav and the rest of the elite soldiers, their faces set and determined.
The new system had only validated Ayush's suspicions: Bijapur Sultanate was already attempting to undermine their firearm manufacturing. If they did not act fast, all their work would be for nothing.
Ayush leaned forward, his tone even but with an undertone of authority.
"Before we proceed with mass-producing firearms, we need to deal with the rats in our own camp."
The room went silent. The atmosphere was electric with tension.
Gaurav re-tied his turban and folded his arms. "The question is: who in our group is a traitor?"
Keshav balled his fist. "If the enemy is aware of our project, then someone in Garha has betrayed us."
Ayush smiled faintly. "We don't have to guess. I already know who they are."
The men stared at each other in shock.
"The spies have already been discovered," Ayush went on, his golden eyes sparkling with the light of the candles. "Three spies from the Bijapur Sultanate have penetrated the royal court. Two of them are posing as blacksmiths, and one is a noble in the service of one of Durgawati's ministers."
Gaurav frowned. "A noble? That implies the enemy has strong roots in Garha. We can't act in ignorance."
Ayush nodded. "Right. If we kill them outright, the enemy will know that we are onto them. Rather, we must be accurate."
Keshav, the constant warrior, cracked his knuckles. "What do you command, my lord?"
[AN:- Are you enjoying the chapters....? ]