[very out of date] Preview 2: The Mauryan Empire
Samraatya Maurya
Upper Indos
Indos Valley
India Superior
In 322 BC, Chandragupta Maurya, a young man whom Alexander the Great is said to have met a few years before in Taxila, acheived what the Macedonian King had not: He overthrew the hated Nanda Dynasty of Maghada. By 316 BC, he had unified the North of India and defeated the Indian Satraps of Alexander's fragmented Empire. Under his and his son Bindusara's rule, the Empire expanded to most of India, except for the forested region of Kalinga and Pandya in the South.
Around 305 BC, Diadoch Seleukos invaded the Mauryan Empire. Though little is known about these engagements, it is thought Chandragupta got the better of them, as Seleukos ceded the eastern Satrapies of Gedrosia, Arachosia and the Paropamisadae to the Mauryans. In return, the Mauryans gave 500 war elephants, and a marital alliance was made.
From then on, the Mauryan Empire had little to do with the West. The Greek Successor States sent ambassadors such as Megasthenes to the Indian Court, and they exchanged presents. Megasthenes wrote a book on India, but the original text did not survive.
During the reign of Ashoka the Great (273-232 BC), Kalinga was conquered and the strength of the Mauryans was at its peak. However, such was the destruction caused by the Kalinga War that Ashoka enmbraced Buddhism and vowed never to go to war again. His edicts spread across India, and he sent emmissiaries to the Greek States requesting them to become Buddhists, but without effect.
The Mauryans Capital of Pataliputra is said to have rivaled the splendour of the Persian Capitals of Ecbatana and Susa, surrounded by a wooden wall with 64 gates and 570 towers. Megasthenes (quoted by Strabo) is said to have written the following about Indian society under the Mauryans:
"The Indians all live frugally, especially when in camp. They dislike a great undisciplined multitude, and consequently they observe good order. Theft is of very rare occurrence. Megasthenes says that those who were in the camp of Sandrakottos, wherein lay 400,000 men, found that the thefts reported on any one day did not exceed the value of two hundred drachmae, and this among a people who have no written laws, but are ignorant of writing, and must therefore in all the business of life trust to memory. They live, nevertheless, happily enough, being simple in their manners and frugal. They never drink wine except at sacrifices. Their beverage is a liquor composed from rice instead of barley, and their food is principally a rice-pottage."
The Mauryan Army is said to have been 800,000 strong, with 1,000 elephants. The Empire was one of the richest and largest in the ancient world, with the largest population.
However, Pataliputra is not on the Fortuna Orbis map, nor is another of the Mauryan Capitals, Mathura. The Pandya Kingdom and Kalinga are not on the map. The Mauryans did not launch any invasions of Persia (I don't blame them... too hot), and it was only after the Mauryan Empire collapsed in 185 BC following the Sunga coup that the Baktrians were able to invade India and take control of the Indos Valley. Many teams, notably Europa Barbarorum and RTR6 decided for these reasons not to have the Mauryans Empire as a faction. So you could ask, "why have you included the Mauryans Empire?" And you'd be quite justified.
So why have I? Well, first of all, they are an interesting faction to make and (hopefully) play. Secondly, there are so many mods out there, that my mod has to have something special. Now, the map is special enough, but I believe adding the Mauryans adds a lot. Also, you must remember that records are scarce for what happened in Persia during this time period, and I consider it quite feasable that the Mauryans did have some military activity in Persia which we don't know of. Finally, looking at the map, the Mauryan Empire is one of the largest factions on the map. Why shouldn't they have a faction? I mean, they were a lot more important than some Iberian tribe I might have added
The Mauryans, despite their manpower and resources, will have a tough time expanding outside of India. Many of their elite troops are regional AoR units from India, and will not be recruitable from outside of India. Furthermore, the Eastern Satrapies bordering on or inside the Mauryans Empire will be difficult to hold, except for the Satrapy of Baktria, which is held by a powerful dynasty of Greek Kings. Also, the Mauryans are of a different culture to the other regions in the area, and consequently will have even more difficulty expanding their sphere of influence.
The Mauryan Empire has two of its capitals on my map: Ujjain in the South and inside India, the residence of the Emperor Ashoka's firstborn son Kunala, and Taxila in Gandhara to the North, a great centre of learning and home of Chandragupta.
So, onto the units. The Mauryan Military was divided into the Pada (Infantry), Ratha (Chariots), Gaja (Elephants) and Turanga (Cavalry).
Pada
Sainika (Levy Spearmen)
(an old skin in battle
Ksipati Sainika (Skirmishers)
Dhana dirgha Sainika (Longbowmen)
Ujjaini Ksatrya (Ujjaini Swordsmen) (AoR from the south - every region had its own unique swords and armour etc in history)
Standardbearer:
Based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka (if possible, I'll have a faction symbol with this on):
Uttarapatha Ksatrya (Uttarapatha Elite Swordsmen) (AoR from the Uttarapatha - the Northern Road, so Gandhara. These troops were common in the Mauryan Army)
Brahman Ksatrya (Brahman Clubmen) (AoR from the lower Indos, said to have weilded clubs and been dressed in furs)
In action:
Turanga
Ksatrya Asva (Light Cavalry)
Gandhara Asva (Gandharan Medium Cavalry) (AoR from Gandhara, where there were strong cavalry traditions)
Ratha
Yuddha Rhata (Light Chariots - Javelins)
Ksatrya Rhata (Heavy Chariots - Archers)
Gaja
Yuddha Gaja (Elephants)
Gaja Rajha (Armoured War Elephants)
The riders:
You may notice a bug on the elephant... it is fixed
The general's Gada Raja:
And the captain:
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Credits:
-The Res Gestae Team and PromethiusTS for the awesome base skins and models.
-Tony83 for sorting the Uttarapatha Swordsman
-Antonov for support and ideas
-Wien1943 for historical research
-Everyone else who has supported me, in particular members of the RTR Team
-Myself for historical research, ideas and reskins.
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Originally Posted by florin80
