With Jhansi now finally free from foreign (British) influence and superstitions largely curbed.
I focused my attention on consolidating allies which would truly support the cause of freedom.
The British threat was still looming over and might try to overpower Jhansi more aggressively.
In this situation the one name that immediately came to mind was- “Awadh”.
A small constituency in the present day.
The queen of Awadh, Begum Hazrat Mahal, was a fierce warrior queen, just like Rani Lakshmibai.
I thought, “If I can gain her confidence too and establish Awadh as an ally, then we can easily uproot the British from North India.”
A thrilling thought of building a road to Lucknow crossed my mind.
I decided to express my thoughts and ideas to the queen.
I requested a private audience with Rani.
In her chambers that evening, I unrolled a rough map I had sketched.
Me:
“Your Highness, we cannot fight alone.
Awadh is also resisting the British.
If we build a strong road to Lucknow, we can share supplies and coordinate attacks.
My tools can finish it in weeks.”
Rani studied the map for a long moment, then nodded.
Rani Lakshmibai:
“You have proven yourself here.
Build the road.
I will ride with you to meet Begum.”
Construction started at once.
My engineers and troops worked day and night.
The people soon called it “The Road of Fire” , straight, wide, and strong.
But the British noticed.
Within days, they acted.
First came threats.
A British envoy arrived at the gates.
British Envoy:
“Cease this road construction immediately.
It is an act of rebellion.
Stop, or face severe consequences.”
Rani replied without hesitation.
Rani:
“Tell your masters this road is for our people.
We will not stop.”
Then came sabotage.
The British tried to poison water, burn depots, and spread new rumours that the road was cursed.
Finally, they sent small raiding parties to harass the construction sites.
I had expected this.
My drones watched the entire route.
Night-vision teams and radios turned every raid into a trap.
One night, a British party of two fifty men tried to burn a supply depot.
My night teams were waiting.
Me (over radio):
“Hold fire until they commit.
Then strike.”
The British charged in.
Suppressed rifles opened up.
Within minutes, half their force was down or fleeing.
The rest ran in panic.
The Rani rode up after the fight, breathing hard but proud.
Rani:
“You turned their ambush into our victory again.
They thought they could stop us.
You showed them we are ready.”
I also held public demonstrations whenever rumours spread.
I explained the engineering simply and let people test the tools.
Rani stood beside me every time.
Rani (to the workers):
“This road is not a curse.
It is our future.
The British fear it because it connects us.
Do not listen to their lies.
One evening, as the road neared completion, Rani and I rode together along the finished stretch.
The sun was setting, painting the path golden.
She slowed her horse and looked at the long road stretching toward Awadh.
Rani (softly):
“I never thought I would see this.
A road built by hope.
You did this for us.”
She turned to me, her eyes warm.
Rani:
“You could have taken everything for yourself.
Instead you chose to stand beside me.
I don’t have enough words to thank you.”
I smiled.
The new road from Jhansi had cut travel time dramatically.
My convoy, a mix of modern trucks disguised under canvas and traditional elephants for show, rolled into Lucknow under the cover of dusk.
The city was still largely in rebel hands, but tension hung thick: distant gunfire echoed from the direction of the Residency, where British forces remained besieged.
I was led through the grand but war scarred gates of Kaiserbagh Palace, once the glittering heart of the Nawab’s court, now the seat of Begum Hazrat Mahal’s provisional government.
Torches flickered along marble corridors.
Armed guards a mix of sepoys, Awadhi cavalry, and women warriors, watched warily.
In the grand durbar hall, Begum Hazrat Mahal waited.
She sat on a raised platform draped in rich silks, dressed in a deep emerald green angarkha and churidar with a heavy gold embroidered dupatta.
Still in her early therties, she carried herself with graceful authority beautiful in a striking, intelligent way, with sharp dark eyes that missed nothing, high cheekbones, and the poised bearing of someone who had risen from tawaif (courtesan) to regent. The source of this chapter is novelping . com.
Her young son, Prince Birjis Qadr (barely a teenager), sat beside her, but everyone knew she held the real power.
Flanking her were key advisors, Hindu commander Raja Jai Lal Singh, her trusted Mammu Khan, and a few women officers.
The air smelled of attar, gunpowder, and rose water.
I stepped forward, dressed in a simple but respectful blend of modern tactical gear hidden under a traditional sherwani, and bowed deeply , not as a superior, but as an ally sent by another queen.
Me:
“Salutations to the Regent of Awadh and her noble son.
I come from Jhansi, bearing greetings and concrete aid from Rani Lakshmibai.
She has already driven the British from her walls with the knowledge and strength I helped provide.
She sends the same to her sister in this holy struggle experienced soldiers, weapons that never tire, medicines that heal what was once fatal, and ways to speak across miles as if standing side by side.
Begum Hazrat Mahal (voice steady, resonant, with the cultured accent of Awadh’s court):
“So the stories are true.
A mysterious ally appears from the shadows of Jhansi, bringing not just swords but miracles.
Tell me, stranger who serves the Rani, why should I trust that these ‘gifts’ will not poison our faith as the British cartridges tried to do?
We have already united Hindu and Mussalman here.
We fight to protect our temples and mosques, not to trade one master for another.”
She leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing with that famous “energy and ability” British observers later noted.
Me (respectfully, but confidently):
“Your Highness, I have seen the same fears in Jhansi.
We burned them away not by mockery, but by proof.
The new weapons fire without cow or pig grease.
The healing arts save loyal sons of Awadh so they may fight longer for dharma and deen.
The talking machines and scouting eyes let your cavalry, artillery, and infantry strike as one exactly as you have already begun to organize.
I bring five thousand battle-tested soldiers who have sworn loyalty to this cause, not to any foreign power.
They will train under your commanders.
Raja Jai Lal Singh may test them himself.
And I ask for nothing in return except the honour of standing with two queens who refuse to bow.”
A murmur rippled through the court.
Begum raised a hand for silence.
She glanced at her son, then back at me.
A faint, calculating smile touched her lips, the same smile that had rallied thousands from elephant back.
Begum:
“You speak well, and you come with Rani’s name.
She has already broken many chains that once bound women like us.
If what you offer is true, then Awadh will not refuse a sister’s hand.
But know this, I am no puppet.
My son is Wali of Awadh.
All orders will come through me.
Your soldiers will fight under my banners.
Your machines will be tested before my eyes.
And if this proves another British trick disguised as help…”
She let the sentence hang, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of a beautifully ornamented pistol at her side.
Me:
“Then you may use that pistol on me yourself, Your Highness.
I stand here because I believe two flames together can burn brighter than one.
The road from Jhansi is already carrying the first convoy rifles, medicines, and radios.
Let us begin tonight.
Show me your maps, and by dawn your scouts can see British movements as clearly as if the sun never sets.”
Begum was silent for several heartbeats.
Then she rose gracefully, signaling the meeting to become more private.
She stepped down from the platform and approached me , close enough that only I, she, and a few trusted guards could hear.
Begum (softer now, but still commanding, with a hint of genuine curiosity and relief):
“Very few men would offer such power without demanding a throne in exchange.
You have the eyes of someone who has seen more battles than these walls have witnessed.
Tell me truthfully , who are you, really?
A jinn sent by the gods?
A traveller from lands beyond the seas?
Or simply a man who cannot bear to see two kingdoms fall alone?”
You (meeting her gaze steadily):
“I am a man who chose to stand with those who fight for their home.
Rani calls me her shield.
I would be honoured if the Begum of Awadh would call me her brother in arms.”
A long pause.
Then, for the first time, a real smile warm, resolute, and full of that “grit” historians later praised ran across her face.
Begum Hazrat Mahal:
“Then welcome, brother-in-arms.
Tonight we test your gifts in the field.
Tomorrow we plan how to make the British regret ever setting foot in Awadh.
Rani has chosen her ally wisely.
Perhaps Awadh has done the same.”
She extended her hand not in European fashion, but in the traditional gesture of alliance.
I clasped it firmly.
As the meeting broke up, orders flew: my soldiers began integrating with hers, the first radios were demonstrated, and plans for a joint mission for the concrete road construction were already forming.
I along with my best engineers supervised the road construction myself.
I knew once it was completed it would be the heartbeat of both Jhansi and Awadh.
I had modern machines like mixer, road roller
Word quickly reached Jhansi via radio.
When the Rani heard how the meeting went, she later told you in a private moment:
Rani Lakshmibai (with quiet pride and deepening affection):
“You have made sisters of queens tonight.
Awadh now burns with the same fire we kindled in Jhansi and my heart feels lighter knowing you gave freely what you first gave to me.”
Construction started at once.
My engineers & troops worked day and night with vigor and enthusiasm.
The use of modern construction machinery greatly escalated the process.
To the people and Rani, “The All Weather Road” which could stretch to vast distances & reach anywhere came as a surprise.
The people of Awadh had never seen something like that!
They feared that it would pollute their land.
Fortunately as I had her Majesty’s orders, no one dared to ask a single question.
I advised the workers to erect fences along the sides of the road to prevent the travelers from harm at night.
I also placed some of my personnel along the road in case the British or the rural people tried something funny.
Due to modern Tech, the work was being completed at a brisk rate.
But the British were not blind, they saw the road construction as a direct threat to the expansion of British colonies in India.
They thought of a treacherous way to stop the road construction & to capture the ‘Foreign influence’ who had sown the seeds of rebellion in India.
The next day as I was busy in supervising the amount of tax to be used for the further expansion of the road, the a British envoy with largely armed troop came to me in the name of truce, but threatened me directly.
Her Majesty’s Government sees this ‘Road of Fire’ as an act of Rebellion, cease the construction immediately or face consequences.
The alliance between Jhansi and Awadh won’t be tolerated.
Luckily at that time Rani Lakshmibai happened to be on the way to see the progress of the road.
Although she listened calmly at first, she replied with steel in her voice.
“Tell your masters that Jhansi builds roads for her people, not for your approval.
We will not stop.”
Next came sabotage.
British agents tried to infiltrate the construction sites.
They poisoned water supplies, spread fresh rumours among the workers (“the road is cursed”, “strange machines will defile the land”), and even attempted to burn supply depots at night.
Finally, they launched small raiding parties , groups of two hundred to three hundred cavalry and infantry, to harass the construction crews and slow down progress.
I anticipated this.
My drones gave us constant aerial surveillance along the entire route.
Night vision teams and radio coordination turned every British raid into a trap.
One night, a British raiding party of 250 men tried to burn a major supply depot.
My night vision squads were waiting.
Me (over radio):
“Hold fire until they are fully committed.
Let them think they have a surprise.”
The British charged in.
At the last moment, suppressed rifles and coordinated flares lit up the night.
The raiders were caught completely off guard.
Within minutes, half their force was down or fleeing.
The rest retreated in panic.
Rani (riding up after the skirmish, breathing hard but proud):
“You turned their ambush into our victory again.
They thought they could stop us with fear and fire.
You showed them we are ready for both.”
I also used public demonstrations to counter their propaganda.
Whenever rumours spread that the road was “cursed”, I held open shows explaining the engineering, letting people test the new tools, and framing everything as “blessed knowledge from the gods to protect Jhansi”.
The Rani stood beside me during these events, openly supporting me.
Rani (to the gathered workers and soldiers):
“This road is not a curse.
It is our future.
The British fear it because it connects us.
Do not let their lies weaken your hearts.”
Rani’s words ignited a new flame in the hearts of people.
They absorbed themselves in their work to their fullest.
After seven days of hard work and perseverance, the road to Awadh was finally completed.
I, with a small escort of my elite men and Rani’s soldiers, reached Awadh.
The gatekeepers became cautious, anticipating enemy attack any moment.
But I approached them and handed them the letter of credence from Jhansi.
They looked at it carefully for a moment then let me pass.
By the time we reached the main entrance of Kaiserbagh Palace of Begum Hazrat Mahal, she was already waiting for me in the court.
She was dressed in rich emerald silk, her sharp intelligent eyes studying me carefully.
Begum, with welcoming but cautious eyes, said,” So you are the man from the distant lands who brings miracles and whose command made the British cry like babies in Jhansi.
I instantly knelt down on one knee, my head lowered in utmost form of respect.
“You overestimate this lowly man, Your Majesty.
I am nothing but a mere man, with some new toys, whose life is totally devoted to the cause of the Rani and now for you.”, I said.
She laughed, almost commending my modesty and manners asking me the purpose of my visit.
Me
“Your Highness, on the behalf of the Queen of Jhansi, I have come here to request Awadh to support Jhansi in her freedom campaign against the British.
I offer a well built all weather transportation route and new weapons which fire without the grease of cows and pigs.
The talking boxes which let us communicate no matter the distance.
I bring experienced soldiers which are loyal to my cause.
In return I ask for nothing but to serve two queens who refuse to bow.
Begum
“You speak well & you come with Rani’s name.
Very few men would offer such power without demanding the throne in return.
Your eyes look like they have seen many battles.
Tell me, “who are you?”
Me
I am the man who chose to stand by those who fight for their land.
Rani calls me her shield.
I shall be honored if Begum would call me “Brother in arms.”
After a long pause, a warm & resolute smile sprang across Begum’s face.
Begum smiling said, “then welcome my brother in arms, tonight we test your gifts.”
She extended her hands in a traditional gesture of alliance.
As the meeting broke up the next morning, my soldiers began integrating with hers.
First radios were demonstrated.
Plans for joint raids against the British, supplies, armory discussed.
Begum was extremely impressed by the drills of soldiers, weapon demonstrations, the dedication & unwavering loyalty of troops.
She immediately signed a pact of alliance with Jhansi.
I gifted Begum many modern weaponry and with instructors to teach them how they operated.
Later that night I returned to Jhansi, leaving a few of my instructors still in Awadh to share the new tech and processes with them.
I reported to Rani that negotiations went well and that a pact of alliance had been signed.