I like Bangladesh. I was thinking of focusing more on the Bengal Sultanate period though, with a focus on trade. I don't have much of an interest in modern Bangladesh at the moment, but I want them to be a blob civ if that would work. I also have too much work so I don't know I would be willing to pick it up in this month.
I was thinking about a more blooby Bengali civ too, here's what I came up with. Keep in mind I don't really think this is better than scapegraces, just thought it'd be worth exploring multiple directions for the civ. (Modern Bangladesh vs Sultanate of Bengal vs whatever else)
Bengal - Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah
UA: Paradise of the Nations
International trade routes from Bengali cities yield extra
gold for every religion present in the
capital. Receive points towards the next golden age when a foreign
trade route connects to a Bengali city.
UU: Hat
Replaces Market, but forgoes the trade route bonuses for +1
gold on
international trade routes, for receiver and sender, for each different luxury or unimproved marsh tile worked by this city. Bonuses doubled if the city is on a river.
UU: Thoni
Replaces Galleas, -3
ranged strength and
-4 defensive strength, but may enter marsh tiles. When stationed on a resource tile, increases its
gold yield.
The name 'Paradise of Nations' refers to the remarks of the Mughal Empire regarding the Sultanate back in the 16th century, as he was so impressed by its wealth and trade, hence the influence on trade. The religion bonus comes from the fact that Bengal was a heartland of many religions. It was traditionally ruled by Muslim rulers, with a mixed Hindu/Muslim populace, while it frequently extended its influence into the nearby Buddhist regions, being the closest place in India to Buddhist SEA. (Also, major centres of Jain teachings were in Bengal, afaik, so that's like literally every Indian religion save Sikhism (Speaking of which, this is making me want to do a Punjabi civ.)
The Hat focuses on resource diversity and marsh tiles, as Bengal is a pretty resource rich region and this was historically capitalised on by the Bengali rulers to make a hell of a lot of money? How? By using the existing river connections and the huge bengal delta, hence the additional focus on marshes and rivers. Finally the Thoni is a traditional Bengali fishing boat which would be fitted to be able to deal with the tight squeezes and frequent water level changes of the Bengal delta, hence the ability to enter marsh tiles.