인도를 찾아온 자(2)

Yusuf picked up the brush and drew a curve.

Each line he added made the map, which lingered in his memory, take on form.

‘Modern maps are not perfect.’

A span of nearly 500 years influenced by nature and humanity is not short, and many parts do not match the present.

Take the Netherlands, where 25% of the entire territory is reclaimed land; it’s a joke that the world was made by God, but the Netherlands was made by the Dutch.

Looking at local details, there are many inaccuracies due to reclamation, climate change, coastal development, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels, but that didn’t matter much when drawing simply.

As Yusuf sketched the Indian subcontinent over the Arabian Peninsula, he began to speak.

“India is too large of a land to be called a peninsula.”

There’s a reason why India is referred to as a subcontinent.

Partly due to the Himalayas creating significant cultural differences with surrounding regions.

“Suleiman.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do you think will happen if we recklessly attempt to occupy this vast land as we have before?”

“It doesn’t seem desirable.”

“Exactly. It’s like stepping into a quagmire if we’re not careful.”

Yusuf removed his hand while passing through Ming Dynasty territory and drawing the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago.

Considering the delicate touch of mapmakers of this era, there were many shortcomings, but it looked decent enough.

“This region has never been unified under one nation in history. It shows remarkable diversity in language, script, culture, and religion.”

In modern times, there are over 100 main languages, with nearly 1,600 classified as dialects or lesser-known languages.

The figures might change based on definitions of language and dialect, but even so, that’s an astonishing number.

“Do you know what the most useful tool is when trying to encompass such diversity into one nation?”

“Perhaps religion?”

Yusuf nodded at Suleiman’s answer.

Even among the Ottomans, communities tend to form around religion rather than ethnicity.

“Look closely. In the areas we need to focus on, the central and southern regions can be seen as divided between Islam and Hinduism. The territory we’ve occupied, Goa, belongs to the central Islamic nation of Bijapur.”

“I heard Şemsi Pasha pushed away an envoy from Bijapur with the position of Caliph.”

Yusuf raised the corners of his mouth.

“Do you really think they obediently withdrew because of the Caliphate? They retreated because they found it hard to be hostile.”

Although the Caliph is the pope of Islam, his authority is limited.

The title of Caliph serves merely as an admirable pretense.

“Anyway, the Vijayanagara Empire, which holds Hinduism as its state religion in the south, has long been at war with the Bahmani Sultanate in the central region.”

Suleiman continued as he examined the map.

“Only the Vijayanagara survived.”

“Right, the Bahmani declined, and the sultan became a puppet of the prime minister, breaking the nation into five parts. These five are collectively referred to as the Sultanate of Deccan.”

The Sultanate of Deccan encompassed five sultanates, including Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Golconda, and Bijapur, which was robbed of Goa.

The first sultanate to gain independence was younger than Yusuf, while the last one, Golconda, only became independent five years ago.

In the Deccan region, the five sultanates squabbled, while in the south, there stood the common enemy, the Vijayanagara Empire.

It goes without saying how chaotic these surroundings were, and Yusuf smiled.

“Do you think this chaos will be detrimental to the empire?”

“It will depend on how we utilize it, won’t it?”

“Correct. Your task before heading to the Ming Dynasty is to lay the groundwork for India. What do you think we should do?”

Suleiman fell deep into thought at Yusuf’s question.

He had occasionally presented mischievous questions for evaluation, so careful answering was necessary.

Of course, not providing an answer that satisfied him wouldn’t lead to a major disaster.

‘Still, I don’t want to make him feel disappointed.’

He often engaged in mischief, but Suleiman vividly remembered the conversations between his father Selim and the Padishah.

Thinking of his clever father’s assurance that he wouldn’t have any reasons to disappoint and the Padishah who saved him with kindness forced him to choose his words carefully.

‘The most reasonable option is to appease Bijapur, which has lost Goa. After all, they belong to the same Islam.’

The problem was that the Padishah never chose ordinary options.

From sending a letter packed with compliments to the Pope, who calls for the overthrow of the Ottomans, to destabilize the Papal States, he far exceeded rational boundaries.

As Suleiman continued to ponder how the Padishah would move, he caught on to the Padishah’s train of thought.

“…You intend to contact the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire first, rather than the Sultanate of Deccan.”

At Suleiman’s answer, Yusuf wore a broad smile.

“Indeed, you are astute. Ali Pasha sighed after hearing my thoughts.”

“How could I dare do such a thing? It’s just that I’m old and out of breath.”

“Then let’s go with that.”

Joking with the attendant, Hadim Ali Pasha, beside him, Yusuf pointed to the Goa region on the map with his hand.

“As you said, I plan to contact the Vijayanagara Empire first. As you can see, Goa lies between Bijapur and the Empire.”

The Portuguese didn’t conquer Goa for no reason.

“To soothe Bijapur, which has lost Goa, a mere token compensation won’t suffice.”

“And the Padishah does not prefer to gently soothe.”

“That’s not wrong.”

Even he thought it was unpleasant to listen to complaints.

His character was suited for slapping with cannons and threatening to behave if they didn’t want to die.

“Currently, the situation between the Sultanate of Deccan and the Vijayanagara Empire is balanced. Neither side can easily topple the other.”

The newly established sultanates did not have the strength to occupy the empire, and the empire was wary of stirring the pot, fearing that the Sultanate of Deccan might unify.

In actual history, this structure continued for over a century.

“However, if our Empire supports one side, the story changes. Just providing weapon support would tip the scales significantly.”

This meant the Ottomans could act as a game changer that could overturn the situation in India.

Seeing the sparkling eyes that drew a line, Suleiman smiled back.

“For us, there’s no need to break this balance, right?”

“Indeed. There’s no reason to help another nation grow. We can just play the middleman and reap the benefits. To do that, we must first contact the Vijayanagara Empire.”

For the Vijayanagara Empire, the Ottomans would be more frightening than the Portuguese, who approached barbarically. Supporting the same Islamic state could pose a danger.

By first contacting the Vijayanagara Empire to soothe their worries while instilling a sense of crisis in the Sultanate of Deccan, the one who has to present gifts would be the one turned upside down.

“What you need to do is to keep the balance in the middle. The foundation will be drawn up by Hasan.”

Toward creating a sense of crisis, mostly.

Herzegovinian researcher, who was pondering whether to attach the surname Shaytan to his name, was none other than Hasan, the tongue of Satan.

Having him help out gave him a sense of relief.

“And you must know that a bureaucratic examination was held not too long ago. If there’s a decent individual among them, take one along.”

“Would that be alright? The capital’s bureaucrats might dislike it.”

It was clear there would be repercussions if he snatched a newcomer from the bureaucrats who would say a well-raised newcomer is worth ten sons.

“If anyone dislikes it, just say I’ll take them along to the Ming Dynasty. Then they’ll willingly hand them over.”

Recalling how the capital’s bureaucrats had been avoiding his gaze lately, Suleiman wore a contented smile.

*

Behind the fluttering red Ottoman flag, just over a hundred people moved with sharp momentum, surrounded by the Vijayanagara Empire’s forces, who combined vigilance with protection.

Receiving mixed looks of curiosity and fear, Hasan twisted the scars on his face.

“Being looked at so openly makes me uncomfortable.”

At Hasan’s words, a subordinate beside him burst into laughter.

“You are not just an envoy but also the Sanjakbey of Goa, so you should get used to it, shouldn’t you?”

“It’s just temporary. Just temporary.”

Hasan replied firmly, stroking the head of the boy sitting in front of him.

Having become linked with a pickpocket and victim, he was especially captivated by the fact that they shared the same name.

Having taught him directly, he also found the boy remarkably bright and adaptable enough to adjust to the newly changed environment quickly.

While the boy appeared unfamiliar with receiving affection and was looking around nervously, Hasan pressed down on his head gently.

“Over there is Vijayanagara.”

At this proclamation, Hasan raised his head.

The capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was so prosperous that it was hard to take it all in at a glance.

It was a massive city bustling with countless people, including traders from not only the nearby Deccan and Goa but also those who had come all the way from Persia.

‘Just thinking about the capital’s prosperity, it must be comparable to that of an empire.’

After all, it was the second largest medieval city after Beijing and seeing the richest city in India, Hasan held back a gasp of admiration.

He could understand the Padishah’s order not to underestimate the countries of India.

Stepping confidently into the capital with the Ottoman flag raised, Hasan quickly surveyed his surroundings.

“Gokhan.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“There are many who seem to be Deccan traders. You know what you need to do, right?”

Although the Deccan Sultanate was continuously waging localized wars, the border was not closed.

The trading merchants, driven by profit, traveled to the most economically prosperous city of India, and they were the eyes and ears of the Deccan Sultanate.

Gokhan nodded at Hasan’s question.

“Everything is prepared.”

“Well done.”

It was obvious that the merchants, sensitive to the surrounding circumstances, would be bustling around trying to figure out why the Ottoman envoy had come here.

They would receive word of the strained relations between the Ottomans and the Deccan Sultanate due to unreasonable demands.

At least, the first button could be considered properly fastened.

“How do you find the scenery of the empire?”

As expected of the capital, the position of gatekeeper protecting the city gates was not low, and a general from the Vijayanagara Empire, who had joined them upon entering the capital, asked through a Persian interpreter.

Shining his eyes to grasp the intentions of the unexpectedly arriving envoy through the general’s proud words, Hasan briefly looked around.

It was enough to provide a good response just by observing the exotic scenery of Hindu temples distinctly different from mosques, the well-paved roads, and the well-maintained waterways.

“Having only heard about it through rumors, seeing it in person makes me amazed. I truly think it’s a wonderful city.”

“Hahaha, thank you for your kind assessment. The Emperor, who learned of the envoy’s visit in advance, has allowed for an audience at any time. Would you like to rest first?”

“I’ll postpone resting for later.”

At Hasan’s words, the general led the envoy group to the palace.

Accompanied by unarmed personnel, Hasan passed through the palace corridor adorned with exotic and lavish decorations, and finally reached the audience with the Emperor.

As the door swung open with a loud voice from the attendant, Hasan entered and made a light bow.

“I am Hasan Pasha, envoy of the Ottoman Empire and Sanjakbey of Goa. It is an honor to meet the lord of the empire.”

“You’ve come a long way. I have always been curious about what kind of place the empire that defeated the Portuguese is.”

Having established the largest empire in India since the Delhi Sultanate and leading the prime of the Vijayanagara Empire, Krishna Deva Raya spoke to Hasan with a smile.

“That small state cannot compare to the empire. The gun you wielded is insufficient compared to those used by our soldiers, and the knowledge gained from the Portuguese for water supply is lagging behind our techniques.”

This was not merely a statement to elevate the Ottoman Empire.

It meant that he was well aware of the internal circumstances of the Vijayanagara Empire and was applying pressure on the relationship they had with Portugal.

Krishna’s face stiffened slightly, and Hasan continued speaking.

“I did not intend to offend. I merely wish to state that the Portuguese, who had joined forces against the Deccan Sultanate, are gone now. What remains is the Ottoman Empire.”

Hasan licked his lips.

*

“What is your name?”

As he looked over the incoming new bureaucrat, Suleiman asked, feeling somewhat concerned, and the man bowed his head.

“I am Ibrahim, from Manisa, Pasha.”

The man, who had gained the favor of Suleiman the Magnificent in real history and held equal power and authority, answered in a calm voice.