Here is the unit pack intended for medieval Hindi states. In Bakuel's own words:
The unit list,
Spoiler :
The Rajputs first came into the light of history between the sixth and eighth centuries. The early Rajputs defeated the invading Umayyads at the battle of Rajasthan and pushed them back to the other side of the Indus river. The origins of the Rajputs before this period are shrouded in mystery. We know that Rajput just means, "Son of a King/Ruler", so many people are called Rajput inside of the sacred Hindu texts. Buddha is also called a rajput .etc. Rajput seems to be analogous with the word prince. However, exactly when it started to be applied to a group of Kshatriya clans is unknown. The word seems to have popped up during the Gupta dynasties so the clans may have originated there. However, with their generic name and large number (in 1931 there were about ten million), the clans may have actually been composed of many different smaller Kshatriya clans which took of the title of Rajput during the chaos which followed the fall of the Gupta dynasty. On another hand, the Rai dynasty of Sindh which was displaced by the Umayyad invasion was said to be Rajput.
Whatever the case, it was their struggles against the foreign Muslims which caused Rajputs to become legendary. After defeating early Arabic Muslims the Rajputs rose to prominence in North Western India between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the dynasties would intermarry with each other and this would be a "relatively" prosperous era for the region. It was during this time that native Indian ponies were crossbreed with Arabian horses to create the Marwari breed. Finally northern India had a capable cavalry horse to make war with and much of the Rajput army centered around cavalry. Rajputs would have their own breeding programs and horse keeping was a serious art and science throughout the time covered in this pack. The most famous of the Rajput kings of this period was the Rajput Bhoja of Malwa who was well known as a philosopher, polymath and a patron of the arts.
As has already been noted, the Turkic, Persian and Afghani dynasties had more success then the Arabic caliphates before them and around the latter part of the eleventh century much of the areas of Northern Plains fell into Islamic control under dynasties such as the Ghorids, and later, of course the Sultanate of Delhi.
During this period of invasion the most important battle was the two Battles of Tarain between the Ghorid Sultan Muhammad Ghori and the Rajputs under the leadership of a Chauhan Rajput Prithviraj. I will relate the battle as one can see the main parts of the composition of the military of the Rajputs.
The first battle was a Rajput victory and the invading Ghorids were beaten back. The two armies met and the Rajput cavalry routed the Ghorid vanguard and then attacked both wings of the army. Soon all of the horsemen of the Ghorids were in open rout but it is said that the sultan refused to retreat and with his trusted men made a reckless counter charge into the body of the Rajput army. He was spotted by Prithviraj's brother Govind Rai, who drove his elephant toward him. In the following exchange Ghori managed to knock out Govind Rai's front teeth with his lance but received sever javelin wound in his upper arm in return. Ghori was saved from falling off his horse in agony by a Khalj boy who jumped on the back of his horse and grabbed him to keep him on the saddle and drove the horse to safety.
After this massive defeat by the hands of the Rajputs, Ghori gathered a force supposedly numbering 120,000 armored cavalry with 10,000 light cavalry support and invaded Rajput lands again. This time around, Prithviraj seemed to have had trouble gathering a large army as many of his allies did not send aid. Also a rival Rajput leader joined forces with Ghori instead. The second Battle of Tarain ended in a complete Ghorid victory over the Rajputs.
Now, in most histories Prithviraj was killed in battle, however, some say that he was taken prisoner, blinded and taken to Ghori's court in Afghanistan.
It is said that even when blinded, Prithviraj, who was known for his legendary skill in archery, would never miss if told the proper distance and direction and would often be hauled out and made to perform for guests and parties by the Sultan. It is said that when he was visited by dignitaries from northern India he called for Prithviraj to preform again. Amongst the visiting party was Chand Bardai, a fellow Chauhan Rajput. Before it was time to shoot he recited a poem which gave Prithviraj the position of the Sultan and he spun around and shot the arrow straight through Ghori's chest. Of course this is probably a legendary tale, but it is said bu E. Jaiwant Paul in "Arms and Armour, Traditional Weapons of India" that at Ghori's tomb today there is a bare patch of earth on which Afganis stamp on while holding a knoted rope and it is said that it is the grave of Pirthviraj. As has been already related, the Ghorids would lead to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate which would dominate the politics of the Northern Plains.
The relationship between Islamic rulers and their Hindu vassals was a tense one. Many of the Hindu princes which nominally paid tribute to the Sultanate of Delhi were ruled by Rajputs during the era of the Sultanate and many individual Rajput clans often rebelled or lead uprisings, or from time to time, sided with the invading Mongolic rulers if it was in their interests. One clan which was well known for being rebellious was the Janjua Rajputs who aided the invading Mughals as has already been related.
The Muslims were only a majority in small eras of India such as Delhi, controlling the much larger Hindu population was always a problem. It is said that the Khilji Sultan Muhammad Ala-ud-Din Khan Kjilji stated that his rule only extended one hundred miles from Delhi, beyond that, if he wanted to enforce his rule military might was needed. This relationship continued into the Mughal era as many Mughal emperors had to foster close ties with the Rajputs. All throughout the rule of Islamic powers in Northern India the Rajputs existed and maintained their autonomy, especially centered around Rajasthan. Part of the reason for their great autonomy is due to their control of strategically placed fortress in the arid region of Rajasthan making the cost of dislodging them too great for any sensible conqueror.
Due to the long levity of Rajput rule and role in Northern Indian politics, this pack covers a lot of ground and is the largest of the three packs prepared.
From the description of the battle of Tarain one can easily deduce the make up of the Rajput army. The core was heavy cavalry and elephants, infantry only played a small part. The cavalry relied on a charge, though horsearcher was known and used and every noble Rajput horseman would have had a bow and arrow, steppe style tactics generally were not used. For armor the Rajputs used padded jackets, mail, scale, and later plate. The Rajputs, while great warriors, were always divided and a leader had to rely on allies and subordinate rulers to supply troops, a reluctant ally would often cost a Rajput king the war.
Whatever the case, it was their struggles against the foreign Muslims which caused Rajputs to become legendary. After defeating early Arabic Muslims the Rajputs rose to prominence in North Western India between the eighth and eleventh centuries, the dynasties would intermarry with each other and this would be a "relatively" prosperous era for the region. It was during this time that native Indian ponies were crossbreed with Arabian horses to create the Marwari breed. Finally northern India had a capable cavalry horse to make war with and much of the Rajput army centered around cavalry. Rajputs would have their own breeding programs and horse keeping was a serious art and science throughout the time covered in this pack. The most famous of the Rajput kings of this period was the Rajput Bhoja of Malwa who was well known as a philosopher, polymath and a patron of the arts.
As has already been noted, the Turkic, Persian and Afghani dynasties had more success then the Arabic caliphates before them and around the latter part of the eleventh century much of the areas of Northern Plains fell into Islamic control under dynasties such as the Ghorids, and later, of course the Sultanate of Delhi.
During this period of invasion the most important battle was the two Battles of Tarain between the Ghorid Sultan Muhammad Ghori and the Rajputs under the leadership of a Chauhan Rajput Prithviraj. I will relate the battle as one can see the main parts of the composition of the military of the Rajputs.
The first battle was a Rajput victory and the invading Ghorids were beaten back. The two armies met and the Rajput cavalry routed the Ghorid vanguard and then attacked both wings of the army. Soon all of the horsemen of the Ghorids were in open rout but it is said that the sultan refused to retreat and with his trusted men made a reckless counter charge into the body of the Rajput army. He was spotted by Prithviraj's brother Govind Rai, who drove his elephant toward him. In the following exchange Ghori managed to knock out Govind Rai's front teeth with his lance but received sever javelin wound in his upper arm in return. Ghori was saved from falling off his horse in agony by a Khalj boy who jumped on the back of his horse and grabbed him to keep him on the saddle and drove the horse to safety.
After this massive defeat by the hands of the Rajputs, Ghori gathered a force supposedly numbering 120,000 armored cavalry with 10,000 light cavalry support and invaded Rajput lands again. This time around, Prithviraj seemed to have had trouble gathering a large army as many of his allies did not send aid. Also a rival Rajput leader joined forces with Ghori instead. The second Battle of Tarain ended in a complete Ghorid victory over the Rajputs.
Now, in most histories Prithviraj was killed in battle, however, some say that he was taken prisoner, blinded and taken to Ghori's court in Afghanistan.
It is said that even when blinded, Prithviraj, who was known for his legendary skill in archery, would never miss if told the proper distance and direction and would often be hauled out and made to perform for guests and parties by the Sultan. It is said that when he was visited by dignitaries from northern India he called for Prithviraj to preform again. Amongst the visiting party was Chand Bardai, a fellow Chauhan Rajput. Before it was time to shoot he recited a poem which gave Prithviraj the position of the Sultan and he spun around and shot the arrow straight through Ghori's chest. Of course this is probably a legendary tale, but it is said bu E. Jaiwant Paul in "Arms and Armour, Traditional Weapons of India" that at Ghori's tomb today there is a bare patch of earth on which Afganis stamp on while holding a knoted rope and it is said that it is the grave of Pirthviraj. As has been already related, the Ghorids would lead to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate which would dominate the politics of the Northern Plains.
The relationship between Islamic rulers and their Hindu vassals was a tense one. Many of the Hindu princes which nominally paid tribute to the Sultanate of Delhi were ruled by Rajputs during the era of the Sultanate and many individual Rajput clans often rebelled or lead uprisings, or from time to time, sided with the invading Mongolic rulers if it was in their interests. One clan which was well known for being rebellious was the Janjua Rajputs who aided the invading Mughals as has already been related.
The Muslims were only a majority in small eras of India such as Delhi, controlling the much larger Hindu population was always a problem. It is said that the Khilji Sultan Muhammad Ala-ud-Din Khan Kjilji stated that his rule only extended one hundred miles from Delhi, beyond that, if he wanted to enforce his rule military might was needed. This relationship continued into the Mughal era as many Mughal emperors had to foster close ties with the Rajputs. All throughout the rule of Islamic powers in Northern India the Rajputs existed and maintained their autonomy, especially centered around Rajasthan. Part of the reason for their great autonomy is due to their control of strategically placed fortress in the arid region of Rajasthan making the cost of dislodging them too great for any sensible conqueror.
Due to the long levity of Rajput rule and role in Northern Indian politics, this pack covers a lot of ground and is the largest of the three packs prepared.
From the description of the battle of Tarain one can easily deduce the make up of the Rajput army. The core was heavy cavalry and elephants, infantry only played a small part. The cavalry relied on a charge, though horsearcher was known and used and every noble Rajput horseman would have had a bow and arrow, steppe style tactics generally were not used. For armor the Rajputs used padded jackets, mail, scale, and later plate. The Rajputs, while great warriors, were always divided and a leader had to rely on allies and subordinate rulers to supply troops, a reluctant ally would often cost a Rajput king the war.
The unit list,
Spoiler :
Rajput Bowman (Feather) (Osprey)
Rajput Bowman (Red Turban) (DBA)
Rajput Light Spearman (DBA)
Rajput Light Infantry (Feather) (Osprey)
Rajput Light Infantry (Blue Striped Turban) (Osprey, DBA, Miniature)
Rajput Medium Infantry (Broken Crescent, DBA)
Rajput Katara Warrior (Osprey, DBA, Miniature)
Rajput Crossbowman (DBA)
These are the common unarmored or lightly armored rank and file of the Rajput armies, the Hindu levies. These can be used for a variety of different Indian factions, both Islamic and Hindu throughout India without major incident. As you can tell they are drawn from a variety of different sources. The Katara Warrior is a favorite of mine just for the uniqueness, I find it looks ok with the Dog Solider animations. Though he doesn't punch with the weapon like he should, it's at least presentable. Middle Eastern crossbows were introduced to India by the Muslims, but they were never widespread like in Europe. The Indians probably knew of the crossbow through contacts with South-East Asia were the crossbow was a major weapon but no one knows for sure.
Rajput Bowman (Scale Armor) (Broken Crescent)
Rajput Spearman (Broken Crescent)
These two are based off of Broken Crescent units that I liked the look of and are rather accurate. Scale mail is one of those things in India that the everyone knows was common placed, but very few concrete examples exist as museum pieces. I guess it's the same way as scale armor in Europe and the Middle East. Everyone knows it existed throughout the ancient and medieval period, but few concrete examples besides a lot of scattered metal scale pieces that show up.
Bhil Tribesman (Photograph of Bhil Tribesman, Colonial Art)
The Bhil Tribesmen are a group of tribes in western and central India including Rajasthan. The Bhil were well known for being hunters and guides and many served in the army putting their knowledge of the terrain and archery skills to use. In the Battle of Haldighati, the Bhil Tribesmen helped the legendary Rajput Maharana Pratap and showered the Mughal army with arrows inflicting heavy loses. After Maharana Pratap lost the battle and fled into the hills and mountains the Bhil helped him wage a Guerrilla campaign against the Mughals. Thus I felt the Bhil should be represented in some way. It is said that due to their help, the coat of arms of Mewar contains a Bhil tribesmen next to a Rajput warrior representing Pratap as a reminder of their allaince. Even though Rajput and Bhil villagers are not exactly the friendliest groups today, the Rajputs being snobbish Kshatriyas and the Bhil traditionally not even being Hindu and thus apart from the caste system, they are still allies.
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Early (Osprey)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Early (Scale Armor) (Broken Crescent)
Rajput Light Cavalry Early (Broken Crescent, DBA)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Early) (Osprey)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Pink Turban) (Broken Crescent)
These early cavalrymen and heavy infantry are meant to represent the Rajput warriors around the 8th-11th centuries before their defeat at the hands of the Ghorids. But the Light Cavalry and Scale Armor could be used for later eras as well. The Heavy Cavalry is based off of a image from Osprey. Even though the Hindu armor in the art plate is bare-chested, I disagree with the authors assertion that most noble Hindu horsemen were unarmored. While art is scarce, there are too many literary sources which speak of armor to ignore it completely in India as the rest of my packs have already shown. Instead I gave him the armor which was popular in Central Asia and Persia. Such armor was probably also in use or imported in North-western India which has always been the border between the India subcontinent and the middle east.
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Blue Coat) (Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Black Coat) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Chainmail and Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry (Plate and Padding) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Horsearcher (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Late Chain Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Spearman (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Late Padded and Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Axeman (Museum Piece) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Maceman (Museum Piece, Broken Crescent)
All of these warriors are based of off later era armor pieces found in Museums or historical images for use after the establishment of the Sultanate of Delhi, but could be used to represent warriors before that too to a certain extant. The Axeman and Maceman are wearing padded helmets which were very common in Indian armies, they sometimes had chainmail beneath them, sometimes they didn't. The Axeman's padded jacket armor is based off of the padding on his helmet which is from a museum. Very few padded jackets survive and given the unique fabric patterns cloth armor makers could employ, each piece was probably different. The Padded and Plate armored Heavy Infantry has my personal favorite type of Indian armor, combining both Indian and Mongolic armor styles to create one of the most awesome suits of armor in existence. You should considered using it for a Foot Knight graphic if there is need.
Rajput Bowman (Red Turban) (DBA)
Rajput Light Spearman (DBA)
Rajput Light Infantry (Feather) (Osprey)
Rajput Light Infantry (Blue Striped Turban) (Osprey, DBA, Miniature)
Rajput Medium Infantry (Broken Crescent, DBA)
Rajput Katara Warrior (Osprey, DBA, Miniature)
Rajput Crossbowman (DBA)
These are the common unarmored or lightly armored rank and file of the Rajput armies, the Hindu levies. These can be used for a variety of different Indian factions, both Islamic and Hindu throughout India without major incident. As you can tell they are drawn from a variety of different sources. The Katara Warrior is a favorite of mine just for the uniqueness, I find it looks ok with the Dog Solider animations. Though he doesn't punch with the weapon like he should, it's at least presentable. Middle Eastern crossbows were introduced to India by the Muslims, but they were never widespread like in Europe. The Indians probably knew of the crossbow through contacts with South-East Asia were the crossbow was a major weapon but no one knows for sure.
Rajput Bowman (Scale Armor) (Broken Crescent)
Rajput Spearman (Broken Crescent)
These two are based off of Broken Crescent units that I liked the look of and are rather accurate. Scale mail is one of those things in India that the everyone knows was common placed, but very few concrete examples exist as museum pieces. I guess it's the same way as scale armor in Europe and the Middle East. Everyone knows it existed throughout the ancient and medieval period, but few concrete examples besides a lot of scattered metal scale pieces that show up.
Bhil Tribesman (Photograph of Bhil Tribesman, Colonial Art)
The Bhil Tribesmen are a group of tribes in western and central India including Rajasthan. The Bhil were well known for being hunters and guides and many served in the army putting their knowledge of the terrain and archery skills to use. In the Battle of Haldighati, the Bhil Tribesmen helped the legendary Rajput Maharana Pratap and showered the Mughal army with arrows inflicting heavy loses. After Maharana Pratap lost the battle and fled into the hills and mountains the Bhil helped him wage a Guerrilla campaign against the Mughals. Thus I felt the Bhil should be represented in some way. It is said that due to their help, the coat of arms of Mewar contains a Bhil tribesmen next to a Rajput warrior representing Pratap as a reminder of their allaince. Even though Rajput and Bhil villagers are not exactly the friendliest groups today, the Rajputs being snobbish Kshatriyas and the Bhil traditionally not even being Hindu and thus apart from the caste system, they are still allies.
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Early (Osprey)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Early (Scale Armor) (Broken Crescent)
Rajput Light Cavalry Early (Broken Crescent, DBA)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Early) (Osprey)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Pink Turban) (Broken Crescent)
These early cavalrymen and heavy infantry are meant to represent the Rajput warriors around the 8th-11th centuries before their defeat at the hands of the Ghorids. But the Light Cavalry and Scale Armor could be used for later eras as well. The Heavy Cavalry is based off of a image from Osprey. Even though the Hindu armor in the art plate is bare-chested, I disagree with the authors assertion that most noble Hindu horsemen were unarmored. While art is scarce, there are too many literary sources which speak of armor to ignore it completely in India as the rest of my packs have already shown. Instead I gave him the armor which was popular in Central Asia and Persia. Such armor was probably also in use or imported in North-western India which has always been the border between the India subcontinent and the middle east.
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Blue Coat) (Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Black Coat) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry Late (Chainmail and Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Cavalry (Plate and Padding) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Horsearcher (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Late Chain Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Spearman (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Heavy Infantry (Late Padded and Plate) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Axeman (Museum Piece) (Internet Image, Museum Piece)
Rajput Maceman (Museum Piece, Broken Crescent)
All of these warriors are based of off later era armor pieces found in Museums or historical images for use after the establishment of the Sultanate of Delhi, but could be used to represent warriors before that too to a certain extant. The Axeman and Maceman are wearing padded helmets which were very common in Indian armies, they sometimes had chainmail beneath them, sometimes they didn't. The Axeman's padded jacket armor is based off of the padding on his helmet which is from a museum. Very few padded jackets survive and given the unique fabric patterns cloth armor makers could employ, each piece was probably different. The Padded and Plate armored Heavy Infantry has my personal favorite type of Indian armor, combining both Indian and Mongolic armor styles to create one of the most awesome suits of armor in existence. You should considered using it for a Foot Knight graphic if there is need.
