The Fascist Republic of India: An alternate history of Independent India
- Thread starter Aj chahal
- Start date
Churchill has lost the election. We are in 1946. He hopes to force another election if Atlee bungles negotiations with India. Thats he why he is aggressively lobbying the Americans. Atlee, on the other hand wants peace with India and a lucrative trade deal.
Well, with British soldiers leading terrorist attacks, that might give political ammo to India during the talks...
You know this is a really odd situation we have here Bond was born in India and has stayed here all his life. I've read his autobiography and he was miserable outside of India so unless he has no other option he isn't going to leave. Not to mention his mother was married to a Punjabi and had two children with. So he may manage to stay. Though unfortunately Bishop Cotton's is in Shimla and given what's just transpired.... yeah
It would seem to me, that their are wheels within wheels, multiple factions, which will all come out.
Netaji's bull run is coming to a close. Not everyone in India is happy with independence.
It seemed a strong possibilty, for some degree of frustration with Netaji's do it my way and like it modality.
Seems unlikely. This is 1946, Britain still rules the waves in the Indian ocean. If India stomps its feet and demand any islands they'll get nothing but annoyance. They'll get what they already occupy in this peace and not a square inch more.
If anything, India would want to be as reasonable (in British eyes at least) as possible with any demands in a peace deal in order to strenghten their bid for a security council seat, which definitely rules out territorial expansion.
The Chinks in the armour
Burma
The new regime in Burma had not satisfied every citizen.
After the annexation of 2/3 of its territory and its ports by India, Burma had been turned into a rump, client state. Ba Maw was the premier but all ministerial appointments came from New Delhi. The Burmese nationalists and communists resented this. But there was not much they could do about it. The Indian National Congress had begun to operate in Burma and Ba Maw had been made the Burma pradesh president. All other parties were banned and the communist and nationalist leaders had all been arrested. A centralised system of state surveillance was setup in Burma under Heinrich Himmler. He was appointed the head of MIG-3(Military intelligence group-3 responsible for Burma).
Himmler had vast experience in dealing with and perhaps exterminating populations who were detrimental to the rule of the government. He had replaced police stations with officers of the MIG-3 all across Burma even in the remote villages. Immigration to Burma had been ramped up with people from places as far as Punjab coming to farm rice. Even the new industries being set up were almost exclusively owned by Indians. As were most of the shops and small-scale industries whereas the working class was being created purely out of the natives. Himmler wanted Indians to act as a counterweight. While this happened, worker rights as declared by Netaji were followed strictly. Poverty was still rampant but those who had jobs had much better conditions then they did under the British. The stability of jobs and salaries and the better working conditions were favoured over nationalistic antagonism towards the administration.
Then their was the question of indoctrination of the Burmese. In a rather clever move, it had been declared that all men, women and children had to get a Chinthe Lion(a highly stylised Burmese iconographic lion) stitched onto their clothes(kind of like the yellow star the jews had to wear in Nazi Germany). This was done for various reasons.
One, to prevent any resistance agents to assimilate into the general population, since the administration set up offices to stich these Lions. This was under the clever guise of providing employment to the locals. This ensured the government kept a track of lions stitched and numbered and took photos of people while they had their lions on their person, making it highly difficult for the resistance to infiltrate.
Secondly, this was done to prevent the Burmese from leaving Burma and entering India. Some of them were allowed to join the army but were posted outside of Burma. Before beginning their army training they were made to go through a three-month long course of brainwashing and indoctrination. This included pledges of absolute loyalty to India and Bose. This included the worship of Bose along with their traditional gods. These young men were also taught that Burma was an integral part of India and at some point must be merged within India. The hope was that they would grow up to be the leaders of Burma and would do Bose's bidding without question. So far a thousand of these troops had been selected into the Indian army and had been posted into areas which were high on patriotism such as New Delhi, Lahore, Bombay and Madras.
The third policy that Himmler devised was encouraging the young bachelors of MIG-3 to take Burmese wives and raise their children as Indians. This was to be done simultaneously as Burmese soldiers would take Indian wives on their postings and that assimilation would be complete in a single generation.
MIG-3 was doing a good job of restraining any resistance but there was an underground ring of dogfighting, where the resistance exchanged messages and met. The MIG-3 knew about the dogfighting but had no idea about the rebels there. They were planning something big. Everyone knew Bose and Gandhi were on a visit, so either of them could've been the targets. Security was tight but anything and everything was on the table.
Meanwhile in Hyderabad
"Well, who do you suggest we appoint the Nizam, Vallabhai ?"
"The Nizam wished that he be succeeded by his grandson, Mukarram Jah."
"No, no, no I've met him the boy is bonkers. He hates the British. He hates you even more. You appoint him king and he'll suddenly be one of the richest men in the world with enough capital to raise an army of Jihadis and finance the resurgence of the Muslim League all across this country. Sure, he is only thirteen and perhaps under our guidance we can affect some change but I do not want to take the risk. Not with how thinly we are stretched in Tibet. Hell, if Mukarram rebels and Churchill wins an election we are all fucked. I asked the royals to cast their lot in with me so I'll be the first one they guillotine."
"Who else then ?"
"Let's appoint the son, Azam Jah. He is not interested in ruling. Appreciates the creature comforts of life and isn't as devout a muslim as his son. He is a good friend of mine and I think I can control him."
"And isn't that going to scare the other royals since the dead Nizam's firman is being ignored ?"
"Well its either this or a megalomaniac teenager who fancies himself the founder of the next Caliphate ?"
"I am reluctant Yadvindra, but I trust your instincts. Let's go ahead with Azam Jah."
"Very well."
Jammu and Kashmir
Maharaja Karan Singh had ascended the throne as the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike his father he had a deep mistrust of Netaji. He had strong suspicions that Bose had a hand in his father's killing and that Bill Morgan was only a pawn. He was entertaining ambitions of declaring the independence of Jammu and Kashmir. He could probably get help from the Russians or Winston Churchill, he figured. Given that Sheikh Abdullah already wanted to gain power in the state the Maharaja summoned him to his palace in Srinagar to discuss terms.
"Good morning, your highness. How can I be of service ?''
"Good morning, Sheikh Sahab. You are aware of what has happened to my father. Now I am about to tell you something that will impact the future of both of us and our peoples."
"Yes sir."
"I want to declare independence from the Indian government and establish an independent state of Jammu and Kashmir. I will agree to appoint you as my Prime Minister and authorise a parliament as long as I am the supreme authority of the land."
"I am agreeable to it, Maharaj but you do not have an army. And kingdoms don't run without armies."
"We will raise one. You'll help me. We pool in our resources and we-
"Where would the money come from, sir ?"
"I'll use my sovereign fund. Don't worry about the money. I won't live down my father's death so easily."
"Very well, what can I do ?"
"Summon your supporters in as large numbers as you can. Invite Jinnah to Srinagar. If we can instigate the Punjab muslims at the same time it'll have greater impact."
"How does Punjab come into the fray ?"
"Distractions, Abdullah, distractions. You also need to send someone to see the Nizam in Hyderabad. I will send an envoy to Jodhpur. Let's how much support we can muster."
"Once this arrow is out of the bow, there is no coming back, Maharaj."
"Release it, Sheikh Sahab. I am ready."
Lahore
Lord Mountbatten had arrived in Lahore dressed as sanyasi priest with private Carson pretending to be his disciple. They had managed to stow away on a bullock cart going into Ludhiana. The fact that Carson spoke hindi with thick indian accent helped them. Mountbatten pretended to be mute. In Ludhiana, they bought two tickets under their aliases for train to Lahore.
Langlands had himself come to Lahore dressed up as Nihang Sikh warrior along with seven of his soldiers, travelling as a Jatha from Peshawar who had come to pray at Nankana Sahib. He was going to extract Mountbatten himself and bring him to Peshawar. In Peshawar, they had access to a plane which they were going to use to transport Mountbatten out to Tehran. The only problem was that the train was late and none of them knew how to fly a plane.
Bose was sparing no expense on the investigation. He had recalled Shaukat Malik from the midst of his negotiations in Indonesia in the raging civil war. He was tasked with finding Mountbatten and bringing him back alive. Malik set out with his best officers to Lahore and set up a base in secret to oversee the operations. He was also acting in secret and had also decided to dress up as a Nihang Sikh warrior. Given that Malik could speak Indian languages, including Punjabi, he was right at home with his disguise. His own team or Jatha comprised 300 officers spread all over Lahore. He had figured that the only escape route for Mountbatten was towards Iran. Moving south was logistically impossible. Tibet was sealed off. They would have to pass through Lahore. Ideally, Shaukat would have sounded a red alert all across North-West India and declared army rule for three months. That would have pushed out the worm. But he had strict instructions from Netaji himself that the investigation had to be carried out in secret right from the beginning to its conclusion. Thus the secret set up.
While, Mountbatten's train had been delayed due to scheduling errors, Langlands and Malik both roamed the city in similar disguises.
"Sat Sri Akal, Singh sahab, how are you ?"
"I am good, sardar ji. How do you do ?"
"Splendid. What brings you to Lahore ?"
"My boys and I here to pray to Guru Nanak."
"That's a truly noble work that you are doing. Might I enquire what you are praying for ?"
"Only the glory of our huge village, the well-being of our leaders and people and the guru's punishment for those who have wronged us."
"Well, I hope you find out what you are looking for. But I'd say that you should make peace with those who have wronged you. The lord punishes them on his own accord."
"I appreciate your perspective, sir. Do you live in Lahore ?"
"No sir, my boys and I came from Dilli and we are on our way to Peshawar. We are also praying to Guru Nanak."
"What for ?"
"A dear one decided to leave us and go to his homeland and we are looking for him. To convince him to come back to us so we can return him to his home safely, for he is in grave danger. And for the good health of Netaji and our country."
"Of course, brother. Netaji should live long to see the fruits that have been born from his work."
"Embrace me brother. I pray that we both succeed in our missions."
"Yes brother. If god wills it we shall meet again."
Mountbatten and Carson arrived in Lahore in the middle of the night and had been clocked by one of Langland's men. Malik's men were unaware about the disguise but decided that anyone with a fair skin was fair game. Mountbatten was whiter than snow and dressed in bright orange. One of the Indian officers also flagged him.
Mountbatten was now being tracked by both Langlands and Malik. Both men had unknowingly met each other and were now in an ancient city with one of the world's most famous men on the loose.
Sheikh Abdullah addressing his followers at Lal Chowk Srinagar
Nazi officers under Heinrich Himmler's command outside the Prime Minister's mansion in Rangoon before a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Ba Maw in the honour of their commander.
Shaukat Malik dressed up as a Nihang in Lahore. This was one of the only photographs ever taken of the spymaster.
The new regime in Burma had not satisfied every citizen.
After the annexation of 2/3 of its territory and its ports by India, Burma had been turned into a rump, client state. Ba Maw was the premier but all ministerial appointments came from New Delhi. The Burmese nationalists and communists resented this. But there was not much they could do about it. The Indian National Congress had begun to operate in Burma and Ba Maw had been made the Burma pradesh president. All other parties were banned and the communist and nationalist leaders had all been arrested. A centralised system of state surveillance was setup in Burma under Heinrich Himmler. He was appointed the head of MIG-3(Military intelligence group-3 responsible for Burma).
Himmler had vast experience in dealing with and perhaps exterminating populations who were detrimental to the rule of the government. He had replaced police stations with officers of the MIG-3 all across Burma even in the remote villages. Immigration to Burma had been ramped up with people from places as far as Punjab coming to farm rice. Even the new industries being set up were almost exclusively owned by Indians. As were most of the shops and small-scale industries whereas the working class was being created purely out of the natives. Himmler wanted Indians to act as a counterweight. While this happened, worker rights as declared by Netaji were followed strictly. Poverty was still rampant but those who had jobs had much better conditions then they did under the British. The stability of jobs and salaries and the better working conditions were favoured over nationalistic antagonism towards the administration.
Then their was the question of indoctrination of the Burmese. In a rather clever move, it had been declared that all men, women and children had to get a Chinthe Lion(a highly stylised Burmese iconographic lion) stitched onto their clothes(kind of like the yellow star the jews had to wear in Nazi Germany). This was done for various reasons.
One, to prevent any resistance agents to assimilate into the general population, since the administration set up offices to stich these Lions. This was under the clever guise of providing employment to the locals. This ensured the government kept a track of lions stitched and numbered and took photos of people while they had their lions on their person, making it highly difficult for the resistance to infiltrate.
Secondly, this was done to prevent the Burmese from leaving Burma and entering India. Some of them were allowed to join the army but were posted outside of Burma. Before beginning their army training they were made to go through a three-month long course of brainwashing and indoctrination. This included pledges of absolute loyalty to India and Bose. This included the worship of Bose along with their traditional gods. These young men were also taught that Burma was an integral part of India and at some point must be merged within India. The hope was that they would grow up to be the leaders of Burma and would do Bose's bidding without question. So far a thousand of these troops had been selected into the Indian army and had been posted into areas which were high on patriotism such as New Delhi, Lahore, Bombay and Madras.
The third policy that Himmler devised was encouraging the young bachelors of MIG-3 to take Burmese wives and raise their children as Indians. This was to be done simultaneously as Burmese soldiers would take Indian wives on their postings and that assimilation would be complete in a single generation.
MIG-3 was doing a good job of restraining any resistance but there was an underground ring of dogfighting, where the resistance exchanged messages and met. The MIG-3 knew about the dogfighting but had no idea about the rebels there. They were planning something big. Everyone knew Bose and Gandhi were on a visit, so either of them could've been the targets. Security was tight but anything and everything was on the table.
Meanwhile in Hyderabad
"Well, who do you suggest we appoint the Nizam, Vallabhai ?"
"The Nizam wished that he be succeeded by his grandson, Mukarram Jah."
"No, no, no I've met him the boy is bonkers. He hates the British. He hates you even more. You appoint him king and he'll suddenly be one of the richest men in the world with enough capital to raise an army of Jihadis and finance the resurgence of the Muslim League all across this country. Sure, he is only thirteen and perhaps under our guidance we can affect some change but I do not want to take the risk. Not with how thinly we are stretched in Tibet. Hell, if Mukarram rebels and Churchill wins an election we are all fucked. I asked the royals to cast their lot in with me so I'll be the first one they guillotine."
"Who else then ?"
"Let's appoint the son, Azam Jah. He is not interested in ruling. Appreciates the creature comforts of life and isn't as devout a muslim as his son. He is a good friend of mine and I think I can control him."
"And isn't that going to scare the other royals since the dead Nizam's firman is being ignored ?"
"Well its either this or a megalomaniac teenager who fancies himself the founder of the next Caliphate ?"
"I am reluctant Yadvindra, but I trust your instincts. Let's go ahead with Azam Jah."
"Very well."
Jammu and Kashmir
Maharaja Karan Singh had ascended the throne as the new Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir. Unlike his father he had a deep mistrust of Netaji. He had strong suspicions that Bose had a hand in his father's killing and that Bill Morgan was only a pawn. He was entertaining ambitions of declaring the independence of Jammu and Kashmir. He could probably get help from the Russians or Winston Churchill, he figured. Given that Sheikh Abdullah already wanted to gain power in the state the Maharaja summoned him to his palace in Srinagar to discuss terms.
"Good morning, your highness. How can I be of service ?''
"Good morning, Sheikh Sahab. You are aware of what has happened to my father. Now I am about to tell you something that will impact the future of both of us and our peoples."
"Yes sir."
"I want to declare independence from the Indian government and establish an independent state of Jammu and Kashmir. I will agree to appoint you as my Prime Minister and authorise a parliament as long as I am the supreme authority of the land."
"I am agreeable to it, Maharaj but you do not have an army. And kingdoms don't run without armies."
"We will raise one. You'll help me. We pool in our resources and we-
"Where would the money come from, sir ?"
"I'll use my sovereign fund. Don't worry about the money. I won't live down my father's death so easily."
"Very well, what can I do ?"
"Summon your supporters in as large numbers as you can. Invite Jinnah to Srinagar. If we can instigate the Punjab muslims at the same time it'll have greater impact."
"How does Punjab come into the fray ?"
"Distractions, Abdullah, distractions. You also need to send someone to see the Nizam in Hyderabad. I will send an envoy to Jodhpur. Let's how much support we can muster."
"Once this arrow is out of the bow, there is no coming back, Maharaj."
"Release it, Sheikh Sahab. I am ready."
Lahore
Lord Mountbatten had arrived in Lahore dressed as sanyasi priest with private Carson pretending to be his disciple. They had managed to stow away on a bullock cart going into Ludhiana. The fact that Carson spoke hindi with thick indian accent helped them. Mountbatten pretended to be mute. In Ludhiana, they bought two tickets under their aliases for train to Lahore.
Langlands had himself come to Lahore dressed up as Nihang Sikh warrior along with seven of his soldiers, travelling as a Jatha from Peshawar who had come to pray at Nankana Sahib. He was going to extract Mountbatten himself and bring him to Peshawar. In Peshawar, they had access to a plane which they were going to use to transport Mountbatten out to Tehran. The only problem was that the train was late and none of them knew how to fly a plane.
Bose was sparing no expense on the investigation. He had recalled Shaukat Malik from the midst of his negotiations in Indonesia in the raging civil war. He was tasked with finding Mountbatten and bringing him back alive. Malik set out with his best officers to Lahore and set up a base in secret to oversee the operations. He was also acting in secret and had also decided to dress up as a Nihang Sikh warrior. Given that Malik could speak Indian languages, including Punjabi, he was right at home with his disguise. His own team or Jatha comprised 300 officers spread all over Lahore. He had figured that the only escape route for Mountbatten was towards Iran. Moving south was logistically impossible. Tibet was sealed off. They would have to pass through Lahore. Ideally, Shaukat would have sounded a red alert all across North-West India and declared army rule for three months. That would have pushed out the worm. But he had strict instructions from Netaji himself that the investigation had to be carried out in secret right from the beginning to its conclusion. Thus the secret set up.
While, Mountbatten's train had been delayed due to scheduling errors, Langlands and Malik both roamed the city in similar disguises.
"Sat Sri Akal, Singh sahab, how are you ?"
"I am good, sardar ji. How do you do ?"
"Splendid. What brings you to Lahore ?"
"My boys and I here to pray to Guru Nanak."
"That's a truly noble work that you are doing. Might I enquire what you are praying for ?"
"Only the glory of our huge village, the well-being of our leaders and people and the guru's punishment for those who have wronged us."
"Well, I hope you find out what you are looking for. But I'd say that you should make peace with those who have wronged you. The lord punishes them on his own accord."
"I appreciate your perspective, sir. Do you live in Lahore ?"
"No sir, my boys and I came from Dilli and we are on our way to Peshawar. We are also praying to Guru Nanak."
"What for ?"
"A dear one decided to leave us and go to his homeland and we are looking for him. To convince him to come back to us so we can return him to his home safely, for he is in grave danger. And for the good health of Netaji and our country."
"Of course, brother. Netaji should live long to see the fruits that have been born from his work."
"Embrace me brother. I pray that we both succeed in our missions."
"Yes brother. If god wills it we shall meet again."
Mountbatten and Carson arrived in Lahore in the middle of the night and had been clocked by one of Langland's men. Malik's men were unaware about the disguise but decided that anyone with a fair skin was fair game. Mountbatten was whiter than snow and dressed in bright orange. One of the Indian officers also flagged him.
Mountbatten was now being tracked by both Langlands and Malik. Both men had unknowingly met each other and were now in an ancient city with one of the world's most famous men on the loose.
Sheikh Abdullah addressing his followers at Lal Chowk Srinagar
Nazi officers under Heinrich Himmler's command outside the Prime Minister's mansion in Rangoon before a banquet hosted by Prime Minister Ba Maw in the honour of their commander.
Shaukat Malik dressed up as a Nihang in Lahore. This was one of the only photographs ever taken of the spymaster.
All rulers are either butchers or meat
Delhi
Muhammad Ahmad Said Khan Chhatari had been appointed as the provisional administrator of the Hyderabad State. He had been serving as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad under the last Nizam. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh and Sardar Patel had both left for Delhi to see to the affairs in Jaipur and Jammu & Kashmir. Since Netaji had been busy planning his first state visit to the Soviet Union, he had left domestic affairs to his ministers. While Yadavindra and Patel racked their brains regarding the succession crisis, they had decided not to deploy an Indian Army troops in Hyderabad thinking that the state police would be capable enough to enforce the administration's rule.
A terrible mistake.
Netaji was set to leave for the USSR in a few days and the whole government machinery was busy preparing his trip. He was taking Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the minister of industries with him to get him to learn about the rapid Soviet industrialisation and implement the same in India. This, despite Rajagopalachari's well-known disdain for the socialist economic model. He reminded at odds with Netaji because of his commitment to letting the free market take its course in the Indian economy. "A free country, a free economy." These were his favourite words. Along with him, Liaquat Ali Khan, the Minister of Agriculture had also been taken to study the Soviet agricultural miracle.
Hyderabad
Azam Jah had just returned from Paris after hearing of his father's murder. He had hated him. He had always been emasculated by him. Azam Jah fancied himself a British-educated aristocrat, unlike his disappointment of a son who had become radical muslim. The fool kept talking of the caliphate. At his age Azam Jah wanted to enjoy the finer things in life. The best alcohol, the fastest cars and the most rapacious of women. He still did. Damn the Nizami he thought. This is forced upon me he thought. He was going to have his fun. His father was gone. Maybe he could still teach his son a thing or two.
Azam Jah had summoned all the 'working women' to his royal palace and was hosting an orgy. The throne room was filled with naked men and women, including the Prime Minister and the the Nizam-to-be. Servants served alcohol and a Rolls-Royce stood overturned in the middle. It was a wild party. He had also summoned his son, commanding him to come and partake with his father. Mukarram was angered at such a summoning. He loved his father but what he was doing was completely against his Islamic principles. Mukarram had read about the great Mughal emperor Shahenshah Aurangzeb, who presided over a great empire and never engaged in such atrocious lewdness. No, this will not fly. The infidels, the Maharaja of Patiala and Patel would not tell him what to do. His grandfather had named him his heir and he intended to take his throne and stake his claim. Mukarram went into the Jama Masjid to do his daily prayer.
He gathered 2000 men with the support of Bahadur Yar Jung, the Chief of the Razakars and the Grand Mufti of Hyderabad and began to march towards the palace whilst they chanted Islamic slogans, much to the chagrin of the Hindu residents.
Mukarram barged into the throne room, the ancestral sword in hand, gifted by a Mughal emperor to his forefather.
"Who the fuck is it ?"
"It is me, father. Mukarram."
"Ah, my son. I am Glad to have you here. Here have some wine and take one of these lovely ladies. European, American, Brazilian. Indian if you fancy. All creeds, my boy. Loosen up and have some fun."
"No."
Mukarram seethed with anger as he saw his father procreate with a white woman with a bottle of wine in his hand. At the same time the throne room was being swarmed in by the Razakars, who had started to slaughter all the inhabitants in the room.
"WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ?! STOP IT! I AM YOUR KING! GUARDS!"
The guards' heads were thrown in front of the King.
"YOU ARE NO KING. YOU ARE A DISGRACE. YOU SIN LIKE THE WHITE MAN AND YOU LICK THE BOOTS OF THE
INFIDELS. YOU HAVE DISGRACED THE NIZAMI FOR FAR TOO LONG. I WILL NOT ALLOW IT ANY LONGER!"
"You will not allow it ? Who do you think you are, boy ? I will have you whipped."
"I have consulted my advisors. Your sins are far greater than the one that I am about to commit."
Mukarram walked towards his father, slaying the two man who came to stop him. He seized him by his hair and punched him in the face.
"Mukarram please I am your father don't do this."
"MEN!"
Mukarram signalled two of his men to bend his father over the open door of the car in the room. Azam Jah began to weep like a child.
"Mukarram, please Mukarram stop. Please don't do this. You can be Nizam, let me go please, please forgive me.
"God has willed this father. You shall atone for your sins, father. ALLAH HU AKBAR!
"ALLAH HU AKBAR! ALLAH HU AKBAR! ALLAH HU AKBAR!"
Mukarram Jah swung the sword and lopped off his own father's head with a single stroke. The throne room ran loud with chants of Allah Hu Akbar.
The Grand Mufti of Hyderabad coronated Mukarram Jah as the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, Nizam-ul-Mulk Khan Bahadur Mukarram Jah I. He had ordered a Great army of Jihad to be raised to fight the Indian Army. The state police forces thought of resisting Mukarram but on his coronation they expressed their fealty to him. They were in no position to resist the massive Razakar armies.
He mounted his father's head on the walls of the palace as a warning for his detractors and a site to behold for his supporters.
Astute for a teenager, Mukarram disallowed the wholesale killings of Hindus within the state. He summoned all the traders and businessmen and asked for their support in exchange for their lives. He wanted to secure more funds than he had. The Hindu business community agreed for the time being.
He meant to cut off Bose's head and restore the Mughal Empire and shift his court to the Red Fort. The new Nizam also sent a letter to Muhammad Ali Jinnah summoning him to Hyderabad. The purpose was to resurrect the Muslim League and encourage revolt all over India.
The Nizam, being the world's richest man could also afford to hire the best mercenaries for his armies. He sent telegrams to famous mercenaries like Jan Zumbach, Frank Glasgow Tinker and Ivor-Thord Gray to come and help him build up his army and airforce in exchange for huge sums of gold.
Maharaja Hari Singh's envoy was also making his was to Hyderabad unaware of the events that had just transpired. In Jammu and Kashmir large untrained and unruly militias massed in Srinagar asking for a return to the Islamic caliphate.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh and Sardar Vallabhai Patel were still blissfully unaware of the coup d'état and debated on whether they should go to Jammu to appoint the Maharaja or do it from the comfort of Delhi.
Moscow
Netaji had arrived in Moscow and had been given a grand welcome. The Soviet Army band played in his honour and he was received the by Vyacheslav Molotov and Lavrentiy Beria. From there, Bose was ushered to a 30-car motorcade with his car being an open top from where he waved towards the adoring crowds of Russian citizens. Apparently Bose had become quite popular in Russia given his successful revolt against Imperial rule, something the Soviet citizens and veterans could relate to. The motorcade took him from the airport to the Kremlin to meet the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin.
"Ah, you're finally here, Comrade Bose. It is a pleasure to meet you, Comrade Bose. I Congratulate you for overthrowing those imperialists."
"Thank you, Comrade Stalin. The pleasure is all mine and congratulations to you as well,"
"What for ?"
"Why overthrowing the Czar, of course. And defeating Germany."
"Ha! I like you already comrade. Here have a seat."
"So how are you ? How's independence treating you ?"
"Most affectionately I might say. A few headaches here and there, something I am sure you would relate to."
"Oh, don't worry about that Prime Minister. Headaches have a way of resolving themselves. Here I want to show you something. Did you hear this speech that tub of lard Churchill gave in Missouri ? The iron curtain he calls my border."
"I had the displeasure of hearing it. He calls us uncivilised savages waving spears. Churchill is a very hateful man I've come to find out."
"He is going to be a great obstacle in our path, Mr. Bose. These westerners, they play the election game whenever it strikes their fancy and we pay the price for their policy changes."
"I agree. I detest Victorian democracy but my aversions won't stop the next election. He just might win the next time."
"Well, we should be prepared for any and every outcome. How are your negotiations going with the British ?"
"They are going well. We should have an agreement in the next few months. Churchill is still the one trying to fuck us. He still wants to keep colonies in Asia."
"Well, he won't be attacking you as long my ships are in Karachi. You have fulfilled the quest of every Russian Emperor since the last three centuries, comrade, by giving us Karachi. You have my full support."
"I am forever grateful to you for that Comrade Stalin. All of my people are. The presence of your ships was instrumental to stop that madman's raids. We have another order of business, comrade."
"What's that ?"
Bose sighed. "It's Churchill again. He's blocking our entry into the United Nations. Atlee has agreed to vote in our favour but Churchill is not going to let him. I was hoping that you'd be able to persuade him."
"The old bugger is pissed off at me as well. They've been wanting me to do something that I am not going to. I need some your help for that."
"Anything you ask."
"I've quite some troops from the war still posted in Iran. The Americans and the British left a month ago. We have the opportunity to bring a friendly regime to power in Iran. It could help build a lucrative trade network through land."
"How can I help ?"
"Increase troop presence on the Iranian border with India. While the Shah focuses there, we'll orchestrate a revolution in the north, allowing them to secede and give us access. Once we open up Iran we can do the same in Afghanistan."
"My resources are at your disposal. The generals can discuss the details of the operation."
"Splendid. Before we go the orchestra there's one more thing, Prime Minister."
"Name it, sir."
"Tibet."
"HAHAHA! I spoke too soon. What is the matter with Tibet ?"
"Chairman Mao will want it back when he wins the war."
"Is he going to win the war ?"
"Damn right he is. It is only a matter of time."
"So, Tibet. He will want it."
"Aye. He will. Are you going to give it to him ?"
"What would you do if you were in my position ?"
"I am not in your position, Prime Minister Bose."
"Well, when the time comes, if it does come, I think Chairman Mao and I could come to an agreement about Tibet. Maybe I can sell it to him."
"That wouldn't be very communist of you."
"Wouldn't be very communist of him to buy it."
"BWAHAHAHA Alright then let's go see the orchestra."
"Tell me something else, Subhash."
"What is it, comrade ?"
"Do you still have the kings in India ?" What do you call them ?"
"The Maharajas. Yes, there are quite a lot of them."
"You should have them all killed. They'll give you trouble."
"I am not a butcher, sir. I cannot kill them all."
"All rulers are either butchers or meat, Subhash. You'd do well to get rid of them. We wouldn't be here if we'd kept the Czar around."
The Soviet Union deputed a thousand Soviet advisors in all facets of industry including coal, defence, railways, airways, roadways, steel, dams and another thousand to develop agriculture in India. All of them were to leave with Netaji at the conclusion of his 7-day tour. While Netaji remained in Moscow and met with Soviet generals and inspected Soviet armaments, Rajagopalachari and Liaquat Ali Khan toured pre-selected sites to copy the same in India. They were both due to return to Moscow on the last day.
Lahore
Shaukat Malik sat on a bench at the Lahore railway station waiting for the train to come. He had decided to go and check Peshawar with 30 of his men. He sent a 100 of them to Jammu and the rest were ordered to remain in Lahore. Malik's search hadn't yielded him much result. Lahore had been scoured but Mountbatten had not been found. He saw him nowhere. So he had decided to go to Peshawar. Mountbatten had to be in a city. An aristocrat like him could simply never survive in the countryside alone. But he was not alone there was he. No that was simply not possible. One of the men shot those kings. Another one blew up the protestors. Mountbatten definitely would be travelling with a companion. Or companions. They certainly would be in disguise. That's why he had chosen the Nihang for himself. He knew about every Nihang group heading west and everyone coming east. That sikh that he had met, he was suspicious of him. He was on none of the jathas and while he claimed to be, his group was nowhere to be seen. He spoke Punjabi with a thick accent but Malik could see through it. He had learnt of this kind of thing during his training. The man continued to trouble his mind until it hit him.
That Nihang was Mountbatten.
He had covered his legs and arms despite it being a hot day. Then his beard was thick as hell, covering his lips and ears and the turban was a big one. Everything was an attempt to hide his skin. His white skin. It all came back to him. Those eyes. Those blue eyes. They could only belong to a British aristocrat not a low-born Indian. Malik's thoughts were interrupted as the same man embarked on the train. Malik immediately got up and signalled his men to get on the train. He decided to stop the train in the countryside and capture Mountbatten. From there they would divert the train back to Lahore and get Mountbatten back to Delhi.
Just as Malik was about to get on he saw an old priest with a long white beard getting on.
"You need to get your luggage on the train, old man ?"
The priest nodded.
"Can't speak can you ?"
He shakes his head. Malik picked up his bag and put on the train.
"There you go."
The priest tried to give him a coin.
"Oh no keep it. Happy to help. Are you travelling alone ?"
"He's with me, Sardarji. I am his nephew."
"You should stay close to him, lad. He's an old man."
"Of course. Luckily you were there to help this time."
"Have a pleasant journey."
"You too."
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose with Joseph Stalin in Moscow
The Nizam's head mounted outside the ancestral palace in Hyderabad. His beard, moustache and hair were cut to humiliate him further.
Muhammad Ahmad Said Khan Chhatari had been appointed as the provisional administrator of the Hyderabad State. He had been serving as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad under the last Nizam. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh and Sardar Patel had both left for Delhi to see to the affairs in Jaipur and Jammu & Kashmir. Since Netaji had been busy planning his first state visit to the Soviet Union, he had left domestic affairs to his ministers. While Yadavindra and Patel racked their brains regarding the succession crisis, they had decided not to deploy an Indian Army troops in Hyderabad thinking that the state police would be capable enough to enforce the administration's rule.
A terrible mistake.
Netaji was set to leave for the USSR in a few days and the whole government machinery was busy preparing his trip. He was taking Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the minister of industries with him to get him to learn about the rapid Soviet industrialisation and implement the same in India. This, despite Rajagopalachari's well-known disdain for the socialist economic model. He reminded at odds with Netaji because of his commitment to letting the free market take its course in the Indian economy. "A free country, a free economy." These were his favourite words. Along with him, Liaquat Ali Khan, the Minister of Agriculture had also been taken to study the Soviet agricultural miracle.
Hyderabad
Azam Jah had just returned from Paris after hearing of his father's murder. He had hated him. He had always been emasculated by him. Azam Jah fancied himself a British-educated aristocrat, unlike his disappointment of a son who had become radical muslim. The fool kept talking of the caliphate. At his age Azam Jah wanted to enjoy the finer things in life. The best alcohol, the fastest cars and the most rapacious of women. He still did. Damn the Nizami he thought. This is forced upon me he thought. He was going to have his fun. His father was gone. Maybe he could still teach his son a thing or two.
Azam Jah had summoned all the 'working women' to his royal palace and was hosting an orgy. The throne room was filled with naked men and women, including the Prime Minister and the the Nizam-to-be. Servants served alcohol and a Rolls-Royce stood overturned in the middle. It was a wild party. He had also summoned his son, commanding him to come and partake with his father. Mukarram was angered at such a summoning. He loved his father but what he was doing was completely against his Islamic principles. Mukarram had read about the great Mughal emperor Shahenshah Aurangzeb, who presided over a great empire and never engaged in such atrocious lewdness. No, this will not fly. The infidels, the Maharaja of Patiala and Patel would not tell him what to do. His grandfather had named him his heir and he intended to take his throne and stake his claim. Mukarram went into the Jama Masjid to do his daily prayer.
He gathered 2000 men with the support of Bahadur Yar Jung, the Chief of the Razakars and the Grand Mufti of Hyderabad and began to march towards the palace whilst they chanted Islamic slogans, much to the chagrin of the Hindu residents.
Mukarram barged into the throne room, the ancestral sword in hand, gifted by a Mughal emperor to his forefather.
"Who the fuck is it ?"
"It is me, father. Mukarram."
"Ah, my son. I am Glad to have you here. Here have some wine and take one of these lovely ladies. European, American, Brazilian. Indian if you fancy. All creeds, my boy. Loosen up and have some fun."
"No."
Mukarram seethed with anger as he saw his father procreate with a white woman with a bottle of wine in his hand. At the same time the throne room was being swarmed in by the Razakars, who had started to slaughter all the inhabitants in the room.
"WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING ?! STOP IT! I AM YOUR KING! GUARDS!"
The guards' heads were thrown in front of the King.
"YOU ARE NO KING. YOU ARE A DISGRACE. YOU SIN LIKE THE WHITE MAN AND YOU LICK THE BOOTS OF THE
INFIDELS. YOU HAVE DISGRACED THE NIZAMI FOR FAR TOO LONG. I WILL NOT ALLOW IT ANY LONGER!"
"You will not allow it ? Who do you think you are, boy ? I will have you whipped."
"I have consulted my advisors. Your sins are far greater than the one that I am about to commit."
Mukarram walked towards his father, slaying the two man who came to stop him. He seized him by his hair and punched him in the face.
"Mukarram please I am your father don't do this."
"MEN!"
Mukarram signalled two of his men to bend his father over the open door of the car in the room. Azam Jah began to weep like a child.
"Mukarram, please Mukarram stop. Please don't do this. You can be Nizam, let me go please, please forgive me.
"God has willed this father. You shall atone for your sins, father. ALLAH HU AKBAR!
"ALLAH HU AKBAR! ALLAH HU AKBAR! ALLAH HU AKBAR!"
Mukarram Jah swung the sword and lopped off his own father's head with a single stroke. The throne room ran loud with chants of Allah Hu Akbar.
The Grand Mufti of Hyderabad coronated Mukarram Jah as the 8th Nizam of Hyderabad, Nizam-ul-Mulk Khan Bahadur Mukarram Jah I. He had ordered a Great army of Jihad to be raised to fight the Indian Army. The state police forces thought of resisting Mukarram but on his coronation they expressed their fealty to him. They were in no position to resist the massive Razakar armies.
He mounted his father's head on the walls of the palace as a warning for his detractors and a site to behold for his supporters.
Astute for a teenager, Mukarram disallowed the wholesale killings of Hindus within the state. He summoned all the traders and businessmen and asked for their support in exchange for their lives. He wanted to secure more funds than he had. The Hindu business community agreed for the time being.
He meant to cut off Bose's head and restore the Mughal Empire and shift his court to the Red Fort. The new Nizam also sent a letter to Muhammad Ali Jinnah summoning him to Hyderabad. The purpose was to resurrect the Muslim League and encourage revolt all over India.
The Nizam, being the world's richest man could also afford to hire the best mercenaries for his armies. He sent telegrams to famous mercenaries like Jan Zumbach, Frank Glasgow Tinker and Ivor-Thord Gray to come and help him build up his army and airforce in exchange for huge sums of gold.
Maharaja Hari Singh's envoy was also making his was to Hyderabad unaware of the events that had just transpired. In Jammu and Kashmir large untrained and unruly militias massed in Srinagar asking for a return to the Islamic caliphate.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh and Sardar Vallabhai Patel were still blissfully unaware of the coup d'état and debated on whether they should go to Jammu to appoint the Maharaja or do it from the comfort of Delhi.
Moscow
Netaji had arrived in Moscow and had been given a grand welcome. The Soviet Army band played in his honour and he was received the by Vyacheslav Molotov and Lavrentiy Beria. From there, Bose was ushered to a 30-car motorcade with his car being an open top from where he waved towards the adoring crowds of Russian citizens. Apparently Bose had become quite popular in Russia given his successful revolt against Imperial rule, something the Soviet citizens and veterans could relate to. The motorcade took him from the airport to the Kremlin to meet the supreme leader of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin.
"Ah, you're finally here, Comrade Bose. It is a pleasure to meet you, Comrade Bose. I Congratulate you for overthrowing those imperialists."
"Thank you, Comrade Stalin. The pleasure is all mine and congratulations to you as well,"
"What for ?"
"Why overthrowing the Czar, of course. And defeating Germany."
"Ha! I like you already comrade. Here have a seat."
"So how are you ? How's independence treating you ?"
"Most affectionately I might say. A few headaches here and there, something I am sure you would relate to."
"Oh, don't worry about that Prime Minister. Headaches have a way of resolving themselves. Here I want to show you something. Did you hear this speech that tub of lard Churchill gave in Missouri ? The iron curtain he calls my border."
"I had the displeasure of hearing it. He calls us uncivilised savages waving spears. Churchill is a very hateful man I've come to find out."
"He is going to be a great obstacle in our path, Mr. Bose. These westerners, they play the election game whenever it strikes their fancy and we pay the price for their policy changes."
"I agree. I detest Victorian democracy but my aversions won't stop the next election. He just might win the next time."
"Well, we should be prepared for any and every outcome. How are your negotiations going with the British ?"
"They are going well. We should have an agreement in the next few months. Churchill is still the one trying to fuck us. He still wants to keep colonies in Asia."
"Well, he won't be attacking you as long my ships are in Karachi. You have fulfilled the quest of every Russian Emperor since the last three centuries, comrade, by giving us Karachi. You have my full support."
"I am forever grateful to you for that Comrade Stalin. All of my people are. The presence of your ships was instrumental to stop that madman's raids. We have another order of business, comrade."
"What's that ?"
Bose sighed. "It's Churchill again. He's blocking our entry into the United Nations. Atlee has agreed to vote in our favour but Churchill is not going to let him. I was hoping that you'd be able to persuade him."
"The old bugger is pissed off at me as well. They've been wanting me to do something that I am not going to. I need some your help for that."
"Anything you ask."
"I've quite some troops from the war still posted in Iran. The Americans and the British left a month ago. We have the opportunity to bring a friendly regime to power in Iran. It could help build a lucrative trade network through land."
"How can I help ?"
"Increase troop presence on the Iranian border with India. While the Shah focuses there, we'll orchestrate a revolution in the north, allowing them to secede and give us access. Once we open up Iran we can do the same in Afghanistan."
"My resources are at your disposal. The generals can discuss the details of the operation."
"Splendid. Before we go the orchestra there's one more thing, Prime Minister."
"Name it, sir."
"Tibet."
"HAHAHA! I spoke too soon. What is the matter with Tibet ?"
"Chairman Mao will want it back when he wins the war."
"Is he going to win the war ?"
"Damn right he is. It is only a matter of time."
"So, Tibet. He will want it."
"Aye. He will. Are you going to give it to him ?"
"What would you do if you were in my position ?"
"I am not in your position, Prime Minister Bose."
"Well, when the time comes, if it does come, I think Chairman Mao and I could come to an agreement about Tibet. Maybe I can sell it to him."
"That wouldn't be very communist of you."
"Wouldn't be very communist of him to buy it."
"BWAHAHAHA Alright then let's go see the orchestra."
"Tell me something else, Subhash."
"What is it, comrade ?"
"Do you still have the kings in India ?" What do you call them ?"
"The Maharajas. Yes, there are quite a lot of them."
"You should have them all killed. They'll give you trouble."
"I am not a butcher, sir. I cannot kill them all."
"All rulers are either butchers or meat, Subhash. You'd do well to get rid of them. We wouldn't be here if we'd kept the Czar around."
The Soviet Union deputed a thousand Soviet advisors in all facets of industry including coal, defence, railways, airways, roadways, steel, dams and another thousand to develop agriculture in India. All of them were to leave with Netaji at the conclusion of his 7-day tour. While Netaji remained in Moscow and met with Soviet generals and inspected Soviet armaments, Rajagopalachari and Liaquat Ali Khan toured pre-selected sites to copy the same in India. They were both due to return to Moscow on the last day.
Lahore
Shaukat Malik sat on a bench at the Lahore railway station waiting for the train to come. He had decided to go and check Peshawar with 30 of his men. He sent a 100 of them to Jammu and the rest were ordered to remain in Lahore. Malik's search hadn't yielded him much result. Lahore had been scoured but Mountbatten had not been found. He saw him nowhere. So he had decided to go to Peshawar. Mountbatten had to be in a city. An aristocrat like him could simply never survive in the countryside alone. But he was not alone there was he. No that was simply not possible. One of the men shot those kings. Another one blew up the protestors. Mountbatten definitely would be travelling with a companion. Or companions. They certainly would be in disguise. That's why he had chosen the Nihang for himself. He knew about every Nihang group heading west and everyone coming east. That sikh that he had met, he was suspicious of him. He was on none of the jathas and while he claimed to be, his group was nowhere to be seen. He spoke Punjabi with a thick accent but Malik could see through it. He had learnt of this kind of thing during his training. The man continued to trouble his mind until it hit him.
That Nihang was Mountbatten.
He had covered his legs and arms despite it being a hot day. Then his beard was thick as hell, covering his lips and ears and the turban was a big one. Everything was an attempt to hide his skin. His white skin. It all came back to him. Those eyes. Those blue eyes. They could only belong to a British aristocrat not a low-born Indian. Malik's thoughts were interrupted as the same man embarked on the train. Malik immediately got up and signalled his men to get on the train. He decided to stop the train in the countryside and capture Mountbatten. From there they would divert the train back to Lahore and get Mountbatten back to Delhi.
Just as Malik was about to get on he saw an old priest with a long white beard getting on.
"You need to get your luggage on the train, old man ?"
The priest nodded.
"Can't speak can you ?"
He shakes his head. Malik picked up his bag and put on the train.
"There you go."
The priest tried to give him a coin.
"Oh no keep it. Happy to help. Are you travelling alone ?"
"He's with me, Sardarji. I am his nephew."
"You should stay close to him, lad. He's an old man."
"Of course. Luckily you were there to help this time."
"Have a pleasant journey."
"You too."
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose with Joseph Stalin in Moscow
The Nizam's head mounted outside the ancestral palace in Hyderabad. His beard, moustache and hair were cut to humiliate him further.
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The premise of this timeline really hinges on a single POD at the end of the day - on Bose being a far gutsier, shrewder and more decisive individual than he was IRL, to the point where the Japanese are sufficiently impressed with him to consider him an equal partner rather than a sidekick and not only value his decision making, but relegate to him at least partial command over their forces and behave themselves while on Indian soil out of deference to him.
It is interesting to compare this timeline with the only other one I know of concerning a successful Japanese invasion of India (as outlined in Rising Sun Victorious), which has Bose remain meekly subordinate to the Japanese, who relegate him to figurehead status and the INA to mere internal policing duties while they subject India to a sufficiently brutal occupation that the surviving post-war populace allies itself firmly with their eventual liberators, the United States, in the name of national security, rather than go non-aligned as they did OTL.
One might argue that the latter timeline is how things would more plausibly have unfolded, but the fact remains that I am immensely enjoying what I am reading. The way you wrote Churchill elicited many a dark chuckle.
It is interesting to compare this timeline with the only other one I know of concerning a successful Japanese invasion of India (as outlined in Rising Sun Victorious), which has Bose remain meekly subordinate to the Japanese, who relegate him to figurehead status and the INA to mere internal policing duties while they subject India to a sufficiently brutal occupation that the surviving post-war populace allies itself firmly with their eventual liberators, the United States, in the name of national security, rather than go non-aligned as they did OTL.
One might argue that the latter timeline is how things would more plausibly have unfolded, but the fact remains that I am immensely enjoying what I am reading. The way you wrote Churchill elicited many a dark chuckle.
Netaji is central to it yes. But you'll note that the Japanese initially did not want to have Bose with them on the field and to be used as a sidekick. But he won them Imphal and Kohima. That was what pierced the British Raj. With the American pressure in the Pacific Tojo was happy to delegate command to Bose.
I think the timeline you mention had more a Japanese-centric view whereas this one is more India-centric. I agree that the one is also possible.
Glad that you like it mate.