Part One: The Queen Regency (January 8, 1491—June 25, 1494)





The year is 1491. I, Queen Meenaakshi Sangama have assumed the throne of Malwa in the name of my grandson, Kleanea Kalji, after the most unfortunate death of my husband, Mahmud Kilji. Mahmud was a great man, who expanded the country, patronized science and the arts, enlarged the treasury, and looked after the common people, even converting to their religion. Well, enough of that! It's time the state looked after what is truly important —me!







The peasants in Damin are unhappy with their tax burden. They yearn the return of the failed state of Jharkand. What foolishness! They pay a fraction of the taxes those in the capital do, and send fewer of their sons off to war, yet they receive the full rights and protections of any resident of my domain. They will learn to appreciate my enlightened reign, whether they like it or not! In fact, many of the eastern territories don't contribute their fair share. This situation will be rectified.







There are problems outside the borders too. Other nations simply don't respect us enough! I hire two advisers who promise to help improve our standing in the world. Of course, my personal diplomatic charm will help as well. No doubt, my little prince will continue my work enhancing our reputation. Even at such a young age, he already carries himself like a king! If only hiding away in the royal library whenever it's time for his riding lessons.







Our diplomatic relations are rather poor. Our only ally is the rather small Sultanate of Sind. While I would like to form an alliance with my brother, Narashima II of Vijayanagar, he has been convinced by some unhappy nobles in Malwa's three westernmost provinces that he should be the one ruling them. It is quite the ridiculous proposal —the common people there are quite content with our rule, since my late husband lowered their taxes after his conquest, and they would find the customs of the Maharajas of Vijayanagar quite foreign. I myself was shocked by the differences in culture when I moved to Mandu. To make matters worse, there are rumors that Mahmud's younger brother Ghazni has entered Narashima's court, with the hope that Narashima will install him as king of Malwa, rather than my grandson. This is treason on the highest order, since Mahmud explicitly declared Kleanea, the child of my eldest daughter , to be his heir after our only son died. I take solace in the fact that Narashima, a Hindu, is unlikely to want to install a Muslim as the ruler of his northern neighbor (Ghazni did not follow his brother Mahmud's conversion to Hinduism).





With the best option out of the picture for now, I decide to seek alliances with the Princedoms of Gwalior and Andhra. They are both small countries, but they are better than nothing. Besides, having weak allies means that they won't turn into threats later on. I propose betrothals between my grandchildren and various nobles in both countries, as well as our old ally Sind, in the hope of cementing these relationships.







Now, to the matter of the economy. First, I order the destruction of all fortifications outside of the capital. They cost a pretty penny to maintain, even in times of peace. My military advisers argue against it, but I hold fast. These new cannons are the future, not some old walls. While I'm at it, I order the creation of four new cannon units. I am also disturbed to find that we were spending a whole 7 ducats a year rooting out corruption in the administration. I insist that this spending stop immediately. If we spend all that money to fight corruption, the peasants might get the idea that their government is corrupt! Lastly, I increase recruitment bonuses for the military, which was in shabby strength. The generals insisted that the army could be quickly strengthened in the event of a war, but that is hardly the point. To leave regiments understaffed is to show weakness to our enemies, both internal and external.







My late husband, always the spendthrift, left a sizable pile of gold in the royal vault. He said that he hoped it would help some later ruler in their time of need. Well, I have a different philosophy. What good is gold just sitting in a vault? We must spend it—otherwise, how would the people know how rich I am? And, in my humble opinion, the best way to show great riches is with great architecture. Despite Mahmud's long and prosperous reign, Malwan cities are plain affairs, with no great buildings in them. Even in Mandu, now the largest city in the world, there are no temples bearing Mahmud's name, merely distasteful urban sprawl. I order temples to Ganga constructed in every major city.





























































Less than a year into my reign, on August 9th, 1491, disaster strikes. Ghanzi, Mahmud's brother , has gathered an army of aggrieved Mohammedans who seek to install him to the throne! These Mohammedans are nothing but an angry minority, who are bitter that their favored status over the Hindu peasants has been revoked. However, it seems some elements of the nobility support them too. Mahmud never forced others to renounce their faith when he did. When I came to Malwa I argued against this decision, but Mahmud held firm, insisting that all be allowed to worship as they wish. Now, I'm no great holy woman myself, and I don't have any particular stake in whether people pray to Allah or Ganesha, but rulers can only do harm by excessive religious tolerance. If the Mohammedans, or any other minority sect, don't know their place, it will only create strife. This rebellion must be crushed!







T he war does not go well. The army, even enhanced by mercenary infantry, fails in battle again and again. Ghazni proves himself to be a great general with his repeated defeats of Mohammed Gilani (Gilani comes from an old Malwan noble family, who despite their Mohammedan faith, remained loyal). I am forced to take out loans in order to finance these mercenaries. Now I know why Mahmud insisted on leaving such a large store of money. With the army defeated, some Jharkandi nobles decide to take advantage of the situation, leading an army of separatists in Damin. The separatist army in small, less than half the size of Ghazni's, and would normally be only a minor concern. Their cause is for naught, of course. I f Ghazni routs our army, he will crush the separatists just the same as I will if I win. Ghazni's rebellion first started in Surat, on the border with Vijayanagar. He has since looted the provinces of Surat, Baglana, and Khandesh , where he even destroyed one of the recently built temples . Though Ghazni claims to be fighting for the rights of Malwan Mohammedans, his army mostly consists of mercenaries from the various Sultanates of India. They show no mercy to the local Hindus, converting them at the point of a sword. Now, he sits at the gates of Mandu, starving us out while waiting for his time to strike. I can only hope that Gilani will reorganize his shattered army quickly enough to try to save the city.





We are saved! Gilani fought Ghazni's army at the gates of Mandu. The battle seemed close at first, with the greater morale of Ghazni's army, whose troops had won battle after battle, competing with the higher numbers of Gilani's army, which was able to rebuild itself after each battle, although at great cost. The fight would rage all day, but in the end Ghazni, who insisted on leading his troops from the front lines, was shot and killed by a lucky Malwan arabesquer , and his army fled in confusion. Ghazni's rebellion is over, though it will take the army time to return the looted provinces to order. Before doing that, though, I order Gilani to crush the separatists in Damin. The army succeeds with minimal losses, then returns to take back Khandesh. At last, it seems like some amount of stability is returning to Malwa.



O n the 23rd of October, Janupur declares war on Malwa.







They are seeking revenge for their defeat under king Mahmud. We have comparable numbers, but our forces are divided while theirs are concentrated. We must end this before our allies lose their nerve.





I start by hiring a military adviser. Our troops need any advantage they can get. I find his name rather ironic. Hopefully this Ghazni will get us out of the crisis the other Ghazni started. I insist that the army enact at once his ideas for the defense of our nation.



This war will be easier than we thought. I believed that my brother, Narashima II, had encouraged Jaunpur and Bahmanis to enter into war against me, upset that Ghazni's rebellion had failed. Certainly, the sultan of Bahmanis, Ahmad I, believed he had a safe southern border when he went to war. It appears that this time, my brother's treacherous nature will work out in my favor. The Vijayanagarian coalition is strong. They swiftly combine their forces and attack the Janupuri army besieging by ally Gwalior. Their greater numbers ensure their victory. I breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can relax, knowing the fate of Malwa is...



Part two: The Regency of Nasir Khanjar (June 25, 1494— March 2, 1500 )

I am shocked, simply shocked at the sudden demise of my dearest Queen, the great and beautiful Meenaakshi Sangama , leaving me, the humble philosopher Nasir Kanjar, to rule in her nine year old grandson's stead. She was truly too young to die. If only she had lived to be one hundred! She worked so tirelessly for her nation, although those close to her could clearly see her health declining . I arrange for the finest of funerals , and make handsome donations in her honor to the Brahmins running the temples she constructed . Some of the nobility in Mandu object to this, calling it excessive largess in a time of war. Bah, they just insist on others making sacrifices for war, when their own sons are safe in their estates. I decide to increase the number of soldiers the Kshatriyas owe the state. Some object, calling me an overreaching bureaucrat who thinks himself king. I of course know this to be untrue. I can prove that all my actions are good and just. The issue of the state religion comes up. While I would love to encourage the worship of Ganga, who the late queen loved so, I decide it best in times of war to comfort the people by patronizing Shakti to guide our armies to victory.





M y advisers tell me the war goes well! Wonderful! We have made peace with Bahmanis, humiliating them, and taking the valuable fortress of Marathwada, which I hope to release as an allied state under the rule of its former governor under Bahmanis, Malik Ahmad Koli . He renounced Islam after our armies captured the city, and should make a wonderful king. He tells me he can even claim the loyalty of the surrounding Bahmanis territory if given his own state, which could be helpful in a future war. Ah, but those pesky Muslim nobles keep popping up. Ghiyas-ud-Din, who was formerly suspected of secretly supporting Ghazni, has made his own rebellion. The fool, he lacks even the most basic claims to the throne. Never the less, he has drawn a large army form unhappy nobility. I knew they were holding back soldiers from me. And what traitors, to revolt in the middle of an invasion! They must be in league with Jaunpur. Well, I'm sure my generals will take care of them easily.







Our wartime allies, ever faithful, join our general in crushing the rebellion. Meanwhile, the last of the Jaunpuri army, defeated by both our coalition, and the coalition of Vijayanagar, has been wiped out. Peace will soon be at hand. When the war ends, we have liberated the province of Varansi. This war has humiliated Jaunpur, and will ensure that they will think twice before attacking again. Ahmednagar is created under the faithful rule of Malik Ahmad Koli.



The whole world now recognizes the might of Malwa! Meenaakshi is smiling in her grave, I am sure. My remaining term is spent integrating the new territory and beginning to pay off our loans. May Kleanea I Khalji lead Malwa to further greatness!

Part 3: The Rule of Kleanea I Khalji (March 2, 1500—March 7, 1525)



Our nation has gone through many shocks in a short time. We are in debt, many in the realm chafe at our rule, and our armies are full of foreign mercenaries. I would be ashamed to leave this country to my successor in such a state. My first test as ruler is dealing with a rebellion in the always troublesome province of Damin. I know my ascension to the throne was controversial. Many supported my great uncle, Ghazni, saying that he should be Maharaja when my grandmother's only male child died. My grandfather's choice of me as a successor was marred by rumors that I was born from an affair between my mother and a Muslim soldier. Utter nonsense, spread by those who resented the success of the house of Khalji, but still believed by many. It matters little now. I am Maharaja, and will be until my dying breath. My subjects can only accept this. I must unify my people, lest my uncle Narashima II, ruler of Vijayanagar, our new rivals, see our internal strife as a sign of weakness. I declare that I will encourage the worship of Vishnu, the supreme deity, in the hope that I will bring my people together under one supreme king.



I ask Nasir Kanjar to resign. He did little more than waste state money on frivolous pomp. We will be fine without him. He takes this graciously, saying that he will come out of retirement anytime I need him. I doubt I will, but I thank him for the offer anyhow. Ghazni Khan Haji advices me to strengthen the military in order to legitimize my rule. They are the most trusted institution now, after their success in the war. I know little of military matters, being more of a scholar myself, and follow his advice. I can only hope it was the right choice. The pretenders to the throne are crushed. Perhaps future poets will memorialize their last stand as they bravely charged the larger and better trained Malwan troops, but in truth in was nothing more than a slaughter. I decide to marry the daughter of my vassal, Malik Ahmad Koli. She is a girl two years my elder, by the name of Chand Bibi Koli. She seems smart, but our interests are rather different. It seemed her father gave her the same education as her brothers, training her in the art of fighting and leading troops. This fascinates me, but I fear she will find simply being consort to the Maharja to be overly restrictive. I let her take over my weekly meetings with Ghazni Khan Haji. I never really understood what he was trying to tell me anyway.



The second year of my reign brings both good news and bad. Chand has birthed me an heir, who I name QLaser. But the celebration of his birth is marred by the news than Andhra, our ally, has gone to war with Orissa, and seems to expect our army conquer the country for them. I don't trust the Maharaja of Andhra, who seems to want to play both sides of the Malwa-Vijayanagar rivalry, but we must honor our alliances. I prepare the army for war.



My adviser Khusrau Khan is advocating against changes to cloth production that I suggested. Since he is a diplomat by training, I try to tell him that he should keep his attentions on foreign matters and not interfere with domestic ones, but he insists that he knows what is best. In truth, he is just a pawn for those who would stand against progress. I am forced to fire him from the council to save face.

The war against Orissa goes better than I expected. We suffer no great losses and our ally Andhra grants us the province of Sambalpur for our troubles.

My guru, who has taught and advised my family since before my birth, has left us in order to hide himself away in some far away holy site and meditate. My rule shall surely suffer without his sage advice.

Baglana has been returned to the true religion. A Muslim minority remains, but Hinduism has established itself as the dominant faith.

Corruption was unheard of during the reign of my grandfather, but sometime during the regencies it started to gain traction. I insist my administration fight it at every turn, even at the cost of stability.

As our recruitment efforts recover from past disasters, I begin replacing foreign mercenaries in our army with native Malwans. I also double the number of cannons in our army. They are not graceful weapons, but they are effective.

On September 26, 1507, the last of the loans taken during the wars and rebellions has been repaid. May we never be in such dire straits again.

Ghazni Khan Haji has been advocating against a new ship design. The man, brilliant as he is in the matter of drilling troops, has never even laid eyes on the sea. He has grown proud in his own age, too proud to recognize his own limits. He embarrasses me by openly opposing the new design. Although I did not create it, I have staked my reputation on it. I cannot allow my legitimacy as king to be challenged. I ask Ghazni to retire early and he does so.

Certain generals, perhaps angered by my dismissal of the popular Haji, have protested my focus on cannons over traditional tactics. Never mind that it was Haji who encouraged these new tactics in the first place. My instinct is to fire them, but that would damage the professionalism and experience our army has gathered. I dismiss their proposal, but do not punish the generals. This action is seen as weak, and hurts my prestige, but it is for the good of the country.

I elect to hire a master of the mint by the name of Bahadur Naru. He promises to restore the full value of our currency. Our inflation is still small, but it is better to deal with these things before they cause problems.



In 1509, war is declared on the rump state of Bahmanis. They cannot even defend their own country, choosing to hide behind the walls of Junir. Our cannons reduce them to rubble in a matter of months. The citizens rejoice to be back under the rule of their former governor, Malik Ahmad Koli. The state of Ahmednagar, under the protection of the kind Malwa, has expanded to two provinces.

Another concern is gnawing at my mind. Although my child QLaser is a healthy nine year old, Chand and I have yet to produce a second child. I worry if QLaser should die, questions of succession will undermine the state of Malwa, as they did after the death of my grandfather.



The small nation of Gwalior, which has been a faithful ally to Malwa since the early days of my grandmother's reign, has taken up our offer of protection. Perhaps their rulers were influenced by our honorable treatment of our vassal Ahmednagar. Or perhaps they were worried about the expansionist states of Vijayanagar, Delhi, and Bengal, who seem to each be eager to claim the territory of their neighbors. Vijayanagar has even broken their alliance with Andhra, likely due to my great uncle coveting their territory. This bodes ill, but at least the allegiance of Andhra to our cause is no longer in doubt.

In 1510, the kingdom of Mewar annexes Gujarat, our former enemies. It is good to have one less enemy on our borders, but I fear Mewar will have eyes on our territories next.

In 1511, I order war to be waged on the remains of the Sultanate of Jaunpur. I do not love war, but I cannot stand the continued existence of the nation that once threatened to destroy Malwa. Weak and without allies, their army collapses at the sight of merely half our forces.

Ill news comes from the Kingdom of Naugur. The small nation has caught the eye of the expansionist Mewar. They will likely be no more before 1512 comes to a close.

Jaunpur is no more. The provinces of Lower Doab, Jaunpur, and Patna have come under our protection. The former Jaunpuri exclave of Bahreich has come under the control of the Hindu Kingdom of Oudh. Some of our neighbors claim to be threatened by this action, but I only undertook them to protect Mewar. They are merely upset that there are fewer territories they can conquer themselves.

I order my administration to focus on our military. Until now I regret to say I have been neglecting it, since I had no interest in the subject myself. But now I see that if Mewar is to thrive, it must be on the back of a strong military force.

Twenty-eight thousand peasants have revolted in Kalpi. They claim to object to the constant warring. This is nonsense. All wars undertaken during my rule have been quick, painless affairs and served to protect the long term interests of Malwa, not to satisfy any need for conquest. Though it pains me, I accept their demands. The general Bahadur Mori objects, saying that he could crush the weak peasant army easily. I tell him I agree, but I cannot bear to see all the unnecessary bloodshed that would entail. I will gladly fight foreign enemies and traitors if that is needed, but I will not oversee the slaughter of simple Malwan peasants. Let the people call me weak, I care not.

In 1513, the last of the foreign mercenaries have been replaced by native Malwans. Our military is the strongest it has ever been.

Malwa is at war once again. The dishonorable scum leading Vijayanagar have declared war on their southern neighbor, Madurai, dragging in our ally Andhra. If we do not do something, the hegemony of Vijayanagar over southern India will be complete. I prepare the military and send an offer of an alliance to Madurai. Within a month, we are called to war.



The enemy has superior number on both land and on sea, but our side is in the right. May the great Vishnu grant success to our armies.

Our armies have great initial success, relieving the siege of Warangal, and catching an army of Mewar unprepared in our territory. Clearly, our focus on military preparedness has paid off.



The ever troublesome province of Damin revolts once again. May they be crushed by the enemies armies. I hire an adviser to recruit more troops into our army. This war will test our manpower.

Our army relieve the siege of Mandu, but at great cost in lives. I order the recruitment of eight mercenary regiments to augment our forces.

This war is a constant stress to my mind. I find myself leaving the war counsel to my advisers and generals, and instead talking philosophy with gurus in the capital. I never had much to contribute in military matters anyhow.

Praise Vishnu! The Sultanate of Bengal has withdrawn from the war, with promise of reparations. We now hold the numerical advantage. Our armies first crush the separatists besieging Patna, and then the Vijayanagari forces once again attempting to take Mandu.

Mohammed Gilani, the chivalrous Muslim general who saved our nation during the times of trouble under my grandmother's regency, has died of disease while assisting in the siege of Rewakantha. He will be sorely missed. His replacement, Salim Gauri, is no match for the great man.

We have taken our first loan of my reign, in order to pay the mercenaries who now make up the bulk of our army. May we be able to pay it off swiftly.

A fortunate omen has blessed us in this dark time. My wife has given birth to our second son. I give him the name Alp Khan Hushang.



In 1515 the war ends with the victory of our coalition. But I can take no solace in this victory, which leaves Vijayanagar and Mewar still strong enough to threaten Malwa. When it looked like our side could achieve absolute victory, the ruler of Madurai has settled for little more than a single province and some coin. I cannot help but feel he will come to regret this decision. I break our alliance with Madurai, as it has served its purpose.



My wife Chand has recommended a new adviser to join my court, a commandant named Mali Rao Solanki. I question the value of hiring such an expensive man when we are in debt, but Chand ensures me he is in fact working for far less than he could get at another court. I accept Chand's wisdom when it comes to military matters, and have Mali Rao Solanki replace the adviser hired during the war against Vijayanagar.

Good news! My son QLaser is now old enough to assist me in governing Malwa. He appears to have taken after his mother, being fascinated by all matters military. I hope Malwa will grow strong under his reign.



Since coming under our rule, the northern city of Varansai, with its fertile farmlands, has grown immensely. It seems some talk has developed there of discovering a new world and ruling over its primitive people. This is the greatest fantasy, as there is nothing but ocean to the east, until one circles the globe and comes to the strange lands of Europe. Anyone living closer to the sea would know this to be true, but the Varansaians, living as they do at the foot of the Himalayas, must have lost their heads in the clouds. Never the less, this strange obsession has had the benefit of making Varansai home to many with grand ideas of making boats to sail the world, forging quick reloading guns, and building great "manufactories" to create goods to be sold to the entire world. These are mere dreams, but I am never the less thinking of sponsoring the works of these young thinkers, in the hope that some of their ideas prove practical.

The people of Kandesh have largely returned to the gods worshiped by their fathers. The last remnants of the damage wrought by Ghazni's rebellion is in the coastal city of Surat, where the majority still worship Allah.

The year 1518 has proved one of great harvests. I order a grand festival in Mandu. Perhaps the proceeds this harvest would be better invested in higher levels of production, but I think the people of Malwa deserve to know that we are now finally in a time of stability and peace.

Although my patronage of great thinkers has had benefits for Malwa, my own intellectual pursuits have not had the success I once imagined. I pledge to leave them behind, and spend more time with my family, who I fear I have neglected.



In 1519, Mewar goes to war with Jangladesh. If they win, they may become a great threat to Malwa. I am loath to intervene directly in the war, as that could bring Malwa into conflict with Mewar's ally Vijayanagar. Another all out war is the last thing the people of Malwa need. However, this is a certain opportunity. Mewar have allied themselves with the small state of Dhundar, which my vassal Gwalior has a claim on. If I elect to press that claim, Mewar would surely defend their ally, giving us a chance to destroy their army before they defeat Jangladesh.

At the start of 1520, Andhra pulls us into a war against Orissa. They certainly have a knack for bad timing. I am committed to my plan though. Andhra can handle this war on their own, as Orissa has no allies.

The armies of Mewar and Dhundar have been crushed within two months! Our brilliant generals honor the great name of Malwa.

Surat has returned to the fold of Hinduism. Praise Vishnu! Meanwhile, all resistance in Mewar has collapsed. They are simply holed up in their capital.

In 1521, Andhra finishes their war with Orissa. Orissa has been reduced to a single coastal province. Andhra should prove to be a helpful counter against the threats of Bengal and Vijayanagar.

In 1522 I make peace with Mewar. I do not take territory for myself, but instead release the states of Rewa Kantha and Hadoti. They will both likely to agree to become vassal states. Mewar will be further partitioned by Jangladesh. In addition, I have forced them to renounce their alliance with Vijayanagar. Our treasuries are flush with Mewar's ducats. The next day peace is made with Dhundar. They have become a province of Gwalior.

Salim Guari has quit, angered that Bahadur Mori has received greater honors after the war than him. I simply chose to give greater honor to the general who gave our forces the greater victories. I doubt our armies will miss him much.

In 1524 we assist in putting down a rebellion in Andhra's newly conquered territories. Such a troublesome ally.

In 1525 Jangladesh make peace with Mewar for merely coin. They will regret this. I am comforted by the fact that at least Mewar's expansionist ambitions have been temporarily thwarted.

In times of war, I often find myself praying to Vishnu for guidance. I see now that the successes of Malwa have been under his influence. Last night, I saw a vision in my dreams. In this dream I was Rama, avatar of Vishnu, fighting the demon king Ravana in order to free my wife Sita. Pondering this dream in the day, I have reached the conclusion that it was divinely sent. Vishnu wishes me to take up the sword against the demon kings of the Muslim Sultanates in the north, and rescue the Hindu people they oppress. May Vishnu's will be done through my form.







Shortly after my divine revelation, news reaches Mandu that Oudh, that country we so bravely freed from Jaupur's grasp, has been annexed by the devious Sultanate of Delhi. They will be the first targets of my righteous crusade. The Sultanate of Bagelkhand has long been a sore in the eyes of Malwan rulers. Although it is entirely within the territory of Malwa, it has dared to make an alliance with our enemies in Delhi. They will regret this. I have decided to embrace the strange ideas of the Varansaians. May this "colonialism" advance our holy war efforts. I order reforms in all areas both military and administrative. Malwa will need all its strength if it is to undertake Vishnu's will. I dissolve our alliance with Sind. In order to honor our gods, we must not make peace with those who would oppress Hindus.

It is now January 1st, 1526. With the new year, the time for war has come. DEUS VULT!



I have dealt the enemy the first defeat of the war. May Vishnu provide many more victories like this!



The Hindu nation of Tirhut offers us assistance in this holy war! We gladly accept their help, and offer to provide for all their troops' expenses for the duration of the war.

I have achieved a second great victory. I can feel Vishnu's spirit inhabiting my body, guiding me when I command my armies. With little training in the art of war, I can only lead by instinct, with the hope that Vishnu will divinely inspire my actions.



If I follow Vishnu's will, I cannot be defeated in battle.



Vishnu has granted us absolute victory! I personally lead our troops in the final battle of the war. The Sultan's armies are no more. We have achieved complete success. The Hindu nation of Oudh is free once more. The Sultanate of Bagelkhand is now simply another province of Malwa. Our vassal Gwalior has taken over the administration of Shekhawati and Mewat. The Sultanate of Delhi still exists, sadly, but it can no longer threaten the peaceful Hindus of India unopposed!

I waste no time in forming an alliance and a marriage with Oudh. I will not let this nation fall a second time.

The great general Bahadur Mori has past away. Before I would fear our military was rudderless without him, but now I know I can lead them to victory myself. His replacement is the honorable Salim Shah Naru.



It has come to my attention that not all Hindus in Malwa acknowledge Vishnu as the supreme deity above all others. Still others, often recent converts from Islam, claim that Allah is just another god in the pantheon. These heresies must be stomped out, no matter the cost. I also make the move of breaking our royal ties to the Muslims of Sind. Our continued cordial relations with those heathens is merely encouraging the acceptance of heresy.

The bastards of Vijayanagar have once again declared war on fair Madurai, and have brought the heathens of Bengal into the war. We intervene in the war to defend the good Hindus of Madurai against those who would ally with our enemies the Muslim Sultans. The war ends in stalemate. Though the glorious Malwan armies were successful in every battle, and even occupied the capital of Vijayanagar, we never managed to reclaim the territories of Madurai taken before our intervention. If only we had been faster, this might not have happened. During the war, it was decided that Malwa should focus on improving the quality of its troops. We will need strong armies to drive the Sultans from India.



Although the war was indecisive, we have managed to convert the Muslims of Bagelkhand to the true faith.

I decide to start the process of integrating Gwalior into Malwa. These separate administrations and armies are hurting our war efforts. All Hindus must unite if we are to free India. Although we have peace treaties lasting for years, I am already plotting the next wars against the Sultanates of Delhi and Bengal, as well as their ally, the treacherous Vijayanagar. I put all my focus into this effort, despite the protestations of my wife Chand. She says I have become a different person since I had my vision from Vishnu. She is right! I am a much greater person than I was before; I am now filled with the will of Vishnu. Nothing can stop my righteous struggle, the gods' will shall be done! Under the gods' protection, I am invincible. Clad as I am in holy armor, even musket balls bounce off my body harmlessly!

March 7th, 1525: Kleanea Khalji dies, and is succeeded by his son QLaser Khalji.







Here is Malwa at the start of QLaser's reign:





More information on Malwa's tech and development:





Here's the economy:







That's it for my run. I hope you like what I did with Malwa!