Chapter 1: A Life Cut Short

A Shattered Evening

Anuj Singh’s life had always been driven by a passion for history. A brilliant strategist at heart, he often found himself lost in the tales of Bharat’s forgotten warriors, the grandeur of lost empires, and the tragedies that had shaped the subcontinent. He had spent years researching military strategies, ancient technologies, and economic policies that could have changed Bharat’s fate. But in the modern world, all of that knowledge was just an interest—a passion that had no real impact on the present.

At 26 years old, Anuj was a professor of history at Delhi University, specializing in military strategies of medieval India. Despite his young age, he had earned a reputation for challenging the mainstream narratives, often presenting alternative theories about Bharat’s past. He believed that if the right leaders had access to advanced warfare tactics, better governance models, and economic policies, Bharat would have never fallen to invaders.

That evening, after finishing a lecture on the Battle of Panipat, Anuj decided to meet his friends at a café in Connaught Place. The bustling market was alive with neon signs, the aroma of street food, and the chatter of people enjoying the evening. The conversation among his friends revolved around work, politics, and personal ambitions. But Anuj’s mind was elsewhere—trapped in the corridors of time, contemplating how history could have been rewritten.

Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.

A loud explosion ripped through the air, shattering windows and sending debris flying in every direction. The force of the blast threw Anuj backward, his ears ringing from the sheer intensity of the shockwave. His vision blurred as dust and smoke filled the air. People screamed, running for their lives, while others lay injured or lifeless around him.

Terrorists had targeted one of the busiest commercial centers of Delhi. Anuj’s body was broken, his chest bleeding from shrapnel, and his limbs refusing to move. As he lay on the cold pavement, his mind raced—not in fear, but in frustration.

"Is this how it ends?" he thought, bitterness creeping into his fading consciousness. "All my knowledge, all my ideas... wasted in a world where they will never matter."

As the darkness closed in, his final thoughts weren’t of regret, but of a wish—a desperate longing for a chance to change the course of Bharat’s history.

And then, everything faded to black.

When Anuj opened his eyes again, the sky above him was painted in hues of orange and gold. The scent of sandalwood filled the air, and a cool breeze rustled through silk curtains. He was no longer lying in the rubble of a city, nor did his body ache with pain. Instead, he found himself in an opulent royal chamber, decorated with golden pillars, intricate carvings, and luxurious fabrics.

His hands, once calloused from typing on a laptop, were now stronger, rougher—the hands of a warrior.

A sudden rush of memories flooded his mind—memories that did not belong to him. He saw himself standing in battle, leading warriors into war. He saw court meetings, alliances, betrayals. He saw a world without modern technology but filled with opportunity.

Then, he saw his reflection in a polished bronze mirror.

Gone was the face of Anuj Singh, the modern historian. In his place was Raja Hemchandra Vikramaditya—Hemu, the last hope of native rule before the Mughal conquest.

And just like that, he realized he had been reborn.

The System Activates

As Anuj tried to make sense of his situation, a blue translucent screen appeared before his eyes.

[Welcome, Host.]

[Initializing the Bharat Restoration System…]

Shock and disbelief filled his mind, but before he could react, a wave of information flooded his consciousness. Technology, warfare strategies, political structures, economic models—all tailored for the era he was now in.

[You have three months before the Second Battle of Panipat.]

[Your mission: Prevent Bharat from falling to the Mughals and reshape history.]

Anuj’s heart pounded. He had studied this period his entire life. The battle ahead was one of the most decisive moments in history—one that had sealed Bharat’s fate for centuries.

But this time, history would not repeat itself.

This time, he would change everything.

As he steadied himself, a knock came at the door. A royal attendant entered and bowed deeply.

"Maharaj, the ministers are waiting for you in the court."

Anuj—now Hemu—took a deep breath. The weight of a kingdom rested on his shoulders, but for the first time in history, Bharat had an advantage—knowledge from the future.

He stood up, his mind racing with possibilities.

Weapons. Roads. Infrastructure. Military strategy. Trade. Governance.

He had three months before the decisive battle.

And he would use every second to ensure that Bharat never fell again.

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