[Faction Discussion] Pagan Kingdom

[Augustus Lucifer]

Pagan Kingdom

This thread can be used for team members to discuss the Pagan Kingdom faction. Research, ideas, and imagery to use in our development of the faction are appreciated.

[Augustus Lucifer]

From the other dev forum:

I don't know if these buildings are from our time period or not.



Actually the answer is provided in these next links. Below are four pages on the Pagan Kingdom.

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/c...n_period_1.htm

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/c...n_period_2.htm

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/c...n_period_3.htm

http://www.seasite.niu.edu/burmese/c...n_period_4.htm

[Eisberg]

Geographical Data

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Attention Wiki stuff!!!!
Three mountain ranges, namely the Rakhine Yoma, the Bago Yoma, and the Shan Plateau exist within Burma, all of which run north-to-south from the Himalayas.The mountain chains divide Burma's three river systems, which are the Irrawaddy, Salween (Thanlwin), and the Sittaung rivers. The Ayeyarwady River, Burma's longest river, nearly 2,170 kilometres (1,348 mi) long, flows into the Gulf of Martaban. Fertile plains exist in the valleys between the mountain chains.
Forests, including dense tropical growth and valuable teak in lower Burma, cover over 49% of the country. Other trees indigenous to the region include acacia, bamboo, ironwood, mangrove, michelia champaca coconut and betel palm and rubber has been introduced. In the highlands of the north, oak, pine and various rhododendrons cover much of the land. The lands along the coast support all varieties of tropical fruits. In the Dry Zone, vegetation is sparse and stunted.
Typical jungle animals, particularly tigers and leopards, occur sparsely in Burma. In upper Burma, there are rhinoceros, wild buffalo, wild boars, deer, antelope, and elephants, Smaller mammals are also numerous, ranging from gibbons and monkeys to flying foxes and tapirs. The abundance of birds is notable with over 800 species, including parrots, peafowl, pheasants, crows, herons, and paddybirds. Among reptile species there are crocodiles, geckos, cobras, Burmese pythons, and turtles. Hundreds of species of freshwater fish are wide-ranging, plentiful and are very important food sources.

Introduction

The Pagan kings used to legitimate them self as a reincarnation of Buddha. And in the eyes of the Pagan population it was the only place on earth (Pagan Kingdom) where they could find their inner Nirvana.
Pagan was a bridge-city between Human and Gods world, the King was a connection between those worlds and had a Title of “ Highest juster Ruler of the Sun and three Worlds” (Tribhuvanditayapavaradhammaraja).

Military administration
Recruitment:
The King was able to recruit almost all of the population as soldiers. Because the defense from outer enemies was also in interests of the population, the recruitment process was usually one of the easiest ones.
Almost every man, who was able to hold a weapon, was a potential recruit. King Narapati (1173–1210) had for his expansions not less than 1,6 MILION Soldiers.
Garrison Cities: there were Garrison Cities, in the eastern Borders, to prevent an foreign invasion.
Unlikely normal troops, Garrison stationed once were professional.
Garrison Cities had also a function of Custom for traders.
Garrison equipment(example from MRUIW garrison):
Strong, young Elephant, 30 shields, 15 bows, 5 firestones (mi-pok),1000 (tan?) rice, 50 cattles,100 goats,30 soldiers and 1 mason.
Warfare:
Unlikely the typical Indian model of classical 4 parts of an army Pagans had only 3 (no chariots).

• Infantry: Consisting of Commoners or Nobles. Building-> Mran

• Cavalry: the most important element in the Pagan Army, also called “Mounted Hunters”.

The key part was not the quality but the quantity of the Cavalry
Building-> Mran-khun-tuin (Horse trainingcamp)->Mran-cuin ( where horses gallope)

• Elephants: second important element. Very expensive and that’s why very few, but an Elephant is very mighty weapon. White Elephants were very expensive because they symbolized Buddha’s supernatural powers.

Elephants were usually transporting/bearing bowmen. infantry units were guarding elephants vulnerable feet.

There were no warships, only small barks (used for transport).

Titles:
King –Tribhuvanditayapavaradhammaraja ( Highest juster Ruler of the Sun and three Worlds)
Kan-su-kri colonel
Mran-nhu : Cavalry captain
Chan-pata elephant trainer
Chan-khawat Elephant Captain
Liy-sann Bowmen
Su-kri Noble
Cac-alat Middle Warrior ( infantry)
Cak-Sukri General
Kywan slave
Nanadesis /Su-krway: Merchant

Economics
Most of the trade played on the Irawaddi river. It was the fastes way to reach south Delta regios from capital ( Pagan), and even for a Sea trade with South Asia.
Pagan-city was not able to feed itself so it was depending on the Vilages. Wares were quick transported to the capital by the riverway, similar like the emperors Chanel in China.
Drink-Water problem: there was a big Drink Water Reservoir, ( with timber water ducts coming from distant lakes etc..)
There was 2 kinds of Merchants in Pagan
1 inner merchant, who is specialized for supplying capital (Su-Krway)
2 Merchant who trades with the foreigners. Nadanadesis
Most Important nutriment was rice , then Cattle and fish.
King had a monopoly on all goods, so the Pagan economics were redistributive.
Trade goods:
Elephants from north woods of Pagan/ Burma
Rice
Salt
Timber
Religionn
Theravada-Buddhism dominated in Pagan Kinngdom

Arms and Armour

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Marcion]

This is a lot of very interesting info. The Pagan seem like they had a pretty powerful army, but were also very vulnerable, as their one real city wasn't self-sufficient and could easily be strangled by blockading the Irawaddy. The player's ability to expand from this position is going to be very limited. Would they even be able to build any real infrastructure outside of the city of Pagan? They would have to make a lot of early conquests in order to keep up with other powers, or else focus on a purely defensive strategy like the Viet.