das
Regeneration In Process
To some extent. But not soon.
Am currently working on the India chapter(s).
Am currently working on the India chapter(s).
By a Single Decision (Alternate History)
- Thread starter das
- Start date
alex994
Hail Divine Emperor!
Must have some more.... *whispers* now that you know that i'm an ardent reader of this thread and is a proud dasfanatic, would you do a part on china? 
*whispers*
*whispers*
das
Regeneration In Process
Not sure if major divergences reached China yet. When they do...
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Write! Write, damn you!
das
Regeneration In Process
Jalapeno, you say you live in Massachusetts.... Okay, I'll remember to have that place nuked.
IC:
Chapter Fourty One.
While the Byzantines, the Western Caliphate and the various rebel groups clashed in the west, back in India, the Turkish Horde was on the move.
Kablyk's horde entered Sind in 957, pillaging numerous northern cities and crushing the local forces and militia at Panipat in late 958. As of 960, the Turks already established control over the Indus River Valley, and the Eastern Caliphate forces further into India, though still loyal to the last orders of the Caliph (i.e. still dedicated to fighting in his name or the name of his successors. Or something like that), were pitted in between local rebels, Turkish horde and Chandallians coming from the east.
It was around that time that king Mharabta was finally convinced that the Turks were enemies as well. Mharabta, the Chandallian ruler, by then managed to use his authority and military strength to conquer numerous tiny nearby states, while previously attaining an unification with Rastrakuta. That alone left Chandallia as the dominant power in India, and a match for the Eastern Caliphate before its collapse. It, however, now needed to fight back the Turkish Horde. While still loosely cooperating with the Turks, as before, the Chandallians were preparing for a war with them.
In November 961, the last organized Eastern Caliphate forces in Sind were crushed at Aghrab. Kablyk celebrated the victory, and now chose to move further east. Towards Chandalla. A confrontation seemed to be coming... when suddenly, Kablyk fell ill in 962. Mharabta felt much relief, especially after the Turkish Horde chose to turn west for a while, to combat the Shiites with changing degree of success.
That feeling came too early. In 963, Kablyk got better and chose to march east again.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Great! We're still reading! 
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Yay! Keep going!
*hopes he won't get nuked*
*hopes he won't get nuked
*
das
Regeneration In Process
Chapter Forty Two.
In April 963, as Kablyk and his well-trained, well-disciplined, experienced and fanatical horde came closer and closer to Hindu-held territory, the Chandallians desperately mustered their forces, confirmed and reconfirmed old alliances and prepared for the onslaught. Mharabta has personally led reorganization of the military to better face the Turks - special troops were prepared for harassing the enemy supply lines, should the war get lengthy, many of the Turkish tactics - such as the efficient use of horse archers and light cavalry - were adopted to some extent, and it was firmly decided that nothing should be staked on one battle. The Indian military had to abandon the infantry-based approach that it used sometimes, and needed to fight fire with fire - mobility with mobility, cavalry with cavalry.
In May 963, the Orguz Turkish invasion begun. Pillaging the countryside, the Turks have advanced through the parts of Sind held by the Hindus, and quickly crushed a Palayan army (which still hoped to face them with an infantry-dominated force) at Faridkot. The Chandallians barely achieved a draw in the battle near Pushkar, a city not too far away from Rathambhor. Once more India was facing an invasion from the northwest. Once more it rallied to fight it back.
During the rest of 963, the Turks were establishing control over the countryside, burning down villages and chasing resisting militias across the land. This allowed the Chandallians, who fell back to Chandalla itself, to reorganize and prepare for the coming attacks.
In 964, the Orguz Turks struck into Chandalla. The Chandallians only gave half-hearted resistance, allowing the Turks deep into their territory... and then, at Jaranasi, where the remaining Chandallian troops made their last stand, the two larger Hindu armies that avoided a battle or being noticed in their full size managed to attack the Turkish flanks. Kablyk barely managed to retreat, taking large casualties due to these ingenious Hindu strategy and tactics, coupled with the Horsemen of Vishnu, the new Indian elite heavy cavalry that proved instrumental in breaking the Turkish light cavalry when it managed to regroup.
Until 966, Kablyk rebuilt his forces and was making some advances against the Shiites along the Persian Gulf and in the north, assisted by the Khazars. But in mid-966, after the Shiites were defeated by the Khazar-Turkish force at Alamut, the Orguz Horde turned back towards India. The second invasion was even stronger and more merciless. Everything it came across was being burned, everyone was being slaughtered, massacred, tortured to death. The Turks were now fighting for revenge, and this allowed them to overcome the Horsemen of Vishnu at Majara in August 966. They soon managed to besiege the Chandallian capital itself - Khajuraho, the City of Twenty Temples. Yet their attempt to assault it failed, and Chandallians finally managed to bribe off the Turks, promising them much tribute. But even that appeared to be not enough for Kablyk - having connected the bribe, he resumed the siege. Mharabta despaired, and decided to agree to a most humiliating proposal. Chandalla, the greatest Indian kingdom, had to give independance to an enlarged Rastrakuta, abandon the Arabic Greater Sind to the Turks and had to become a Turkish vassal state.
But Mharabta was not about to live with this - he signed the treaty merely to but himself some time. In 969, Kablyk died. Apparently, he was poisoned. Before his son, Haljuk, managed to assert authority, Mharabta started a rebellion. Chandalla was rebuilt, and the Rastrakutan ruler who tried to oppose the reunity with Chandalla was overthrown. The Chandallians marched to face the Turks once again - Haljuk was enraged by this treachery, and swore to burn down Khajuraho or die trying.
This was to be the decisive campaign.
In April 963, as Kablyk and his well-trained, well-disciplined, experienced and fanatical horde came closer and closer to Hindu-held territory, the Chandallians desperately mustered their forces, confirmed and reconfirmed old alliances and prepared for the onslaught. Mharabta has personally led reorganization of the military to better face the Turks - special troops were prepared for harassing the enemy supply lines, should the war get lengthy, many of the Turkish tactics - such as the efficient use of horse archers and light cavalry - were adopted to some extent, and it was firmly decided that nothing should be staked on one battle. The Indian military had to abandon the infantry-based approach that it used sometimes, and needed to fight fire with fire - mobility with mobility, cavalry with cavalry.
In May 963, the Orguz Turkish invasion begun. Pillaging the countryside, the Turks have advanced through the parts of Sind held by the Hindus, and quickly crushed a Palayan army (which still hoped to face them with an infantry-dominated force) at Faridkot. The Chandallians barely achieved a draw in the battle near Pushkar, a city not too far away from Rathambhor. Once more India was facing an invasion from the northwest. Once more it rallied to fight it back.
During the rest of 963, the Turks were establishing control over the countryside, burning down villages and chasing resisting militias across the land. This allowed the Chandallians, who fell back to Chandalla itself, to reorganize and prepare for the coming attacks.
In 964, the Orguz Turks struck into Chandalla. The Chandallians only gave half-hearted resistance, allowing the Turks deep into their territory... and then, at Jaranasi, where the remaining Chandallian troops made their last stand, the two larger Hindu armies that avoided a battle or being noticed in their full size managed to attack the Turkish flanks. Kablyk barely managed to retreat, taking large casualties due to these ingenious Hindu strategy and tactics, coupled with the Horsemen of Vishnu, the new Indian elite heavy cavalry that proved instrumental in breaking the Turkish light cavalry when it managed to regroup.
Until 966, Kablyk rebuilt his forces and was making some advances against the Shiites along the Persian Gulf and in the north, assisted by the Khazars. But in mid-966, after the Shiites were defeated by the Khazar-Turkish force at Alamut, the Orguz Horde turned back towards India. The second invasion was even stronger and more merciless. Everything it came across was being burned, everyone was being slaughtered, massacred, tortured to death. The Turks were now fighting for revenge, and this allowed them to overcome the Horsemen of Vishnu at Majara in August 966. They soon managed to besiege the Chandallian capital itself - Khajuraho, the City of Twenty Temples. Yet their attempt to assault it failed, and Chandallians finally managed to bribe off the Turks, promising them much tribute. But even that appeared to be not enough for Kablyk - having connected the bribe, he resumed the siege. Mharabta despaired, and decided to agree to a most humiliating proposal. Chandalla, the greatest Indian kingdom, had to give independance to an enlarged Rastrakuta, abandon the Arabic Greater Sind to the Turks and had to become a Turkish vassal state.
But Mharabta was not about to live with this - he signed the treaty merely to but himself some time. In 969, Kablyk died. Apparently, he was poisoned. Before his son, Haljuk, managed to assert authority, Mharabta started a rebellion. Chandalla was rebuilt, and the Rastrakutan ruler who tried to oppose the reunity with Chandalla was overthrown. The Chandallians marched to face the Turks once again - Haljuk was enraged by this treachery, and swore to burn down Khajuraho or die trying.
This was to be the decisive campaign.
TopGun
258 kills
Very nice story, das. Great credibility... thumbs up and don't stop, please! 
das
Regeneration In Process
Chapter Forty Three.
For his war with Chandalla, Haljuk assembled a huge army by the standards of these times - an entire million men, by some accounts. The Turks largely relied on cavalry and camelry, but now there were also elephantry, artillery and infantry - those three being taken from the conquered lands. But the Hindu also had raised a huge army, equal to that of the Turks.
Haljuk qucikly plunged into Chandalla and advanced towards Khajuraho while fighting back all the planned flank and rear attacks. The Hindu will have to face the Turks head on, just outside of the city.
Though Mharabta knew better then confront the Turks in an open battle, he also knew better then to let Haljuk break into the city and attack first. The Indian army marched out of the city, to face Turks in a battle. Haljuk did not expect it, but reacted quickly. The Hindu vanguard consisted of the Horsemen of Vishnu. The Turkish bagatyrs charged the Horsemen head on, while faster, lighter cavalry moved to strike at the Horsemen flanks. The Hindus were prepared - they sent out their own light cavalry to intercept those, but the Turks had some of their light cavalry attack the Hindu light cavalry, while the rest managed to crush into the Hindu flanks. The Horsemen of Vishnu barely managed to fall back.
This was a bad start for the Hindus, but they moved out their infantry to form a halfcircle in defense of the city gates. The archers, meanwhile, rained their arrows at the Turkish horsemen. Yet the Turks continued their advance. They sent out elephants to stample the Hindu infantry, breaking their ranks and allowing the Turks into the city.
There the Turks encountered their first setback. They had not enough time to train the elephants acceptably, but even if they did, it would probably have been the same problem.
The Hindu infantry had torches and cages with small animals with them, to scare off enemy elephants. Scare off they did, and the elephants trampled the Turkish infantry instead, having turned around. The regroupped and reinforced Horsemen of Vishnu charged and broke the Turkish ranks.
Still, Haljuk was not too concerned after the elephants calmed down. Infantry he never trusted, anyway. It was time for a good old all-out cavalry charge.
Lonh story cut short, the charge failed. Hindu spearmen managed to hold their ground all the way until the bagatyrs arrived, and though they were later slaughtered or routed, this gave time for the Horsemen of Vishnu and the other Hindu horsemen to start a countercharge, killing Haljuk himself who commanded the charge. That was the true turning point, as the demoralized Turkish troops began slowly, but surely losing ground and finally withdrew. The Hindu troops were too tired to pursue them.
For his war with Chandalla, Haljuk assembled a huge army by the standards of these times - an entire million men, by some accounts. The Turks largely relied on cavalry and camelry, but now there were also elephantry, artillery and infantry - those three being taken from the conquered lands. But the Hindu also had raised a huge army, equal to that of the Turks.
Haljuk qucikly plunged into Chandalla and advanced towards Khajuraho while fighting back all the planned flank and rear attacks. The Hindu will have to face the Turks head on, just outside of the city.
Though Mharabta knew better then confront the Turks in an open battle, he also knew better then to let Haljuk break into the city and attack first. The Indian army marched out of the city, to face Turks in a battle. Haljuk did not expect it, but reacted quickly. The Hindu vanguard consisted of the Horsemen of Vishnu. The Turkish bagatyrs charged the Horsemen head on, while faster, lighter cavalry moved to strike at the Horsemen flanks. The Hindus were prepared - they sent out their own light cavalry to intercept those, but the Turks had some of their light cavalry attack the Hindu light cavalry, while the rest managed to crush into the Hindu flanks. The Horsemen of Vishnu barely managed to fall back.
This was a bad start for the Hindus, but they moved out their infantry to form a halfcircle in defense of the city gates. The archers, meanwhile, rained their arrows at the Turkish horsemen. Yet the Turks continued their advance. They sent out elephants to stample the Hindu infantry, breaking their ranks and allowing the Turks into the city.
There the Turks encountered their first setback. They had not enough time to train the elephants acceptably, but even if they did, it would probably have been the same problem.
The Hindu infantry had torches and cages with small animals with them, to scare off enemy elephants. Scare off they did, and the elephants trampled the Turkish infantry instead, having turned around. The regroupped and reinforced Horsemen of Vishnu charged and broke the Turkish ranks.
Still, Haljuk was not too concerned after the elephants calmed down. Infantry he never trusted, anyway. It was time for a good old all-out cavalry charge.
Lonh story cut short, the charge failed. Hindu spearmen managed to hold their ground all the way until the bagatyrs arrived, and though they were later slaughtered or routed, this gave time for the Horsemen of Vishnu and the other Hindu horsemen to start a countercharge, killing Haljuk himself who commanded the charge. That was the true turning point, as the demoralized Turkish troops began slowly, but surely losing ground and finally withdrew. The Hindu troops were too tired to pursue them.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Yay! Go India!
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Onward! For Dravidia! For Hinduism! Conquer them!
Great updates, BTW
Great updates, BTW
das
Regeneration In Process
Which is more then I can say about your NES, NK. That is, the updates are great, but why do they come every fifty years?
Okay... NK, update, or India gets it!
Okay... NK, update, or India gets it!
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
das said:
Because the current timeline is 50 years each leap.
You've grown crueler. If only you could see my last MSN sig...
das
Regeneration In Process
GREAT! So we'll get the update by 2055!
Cruelty comes with being a NES mod.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
We want more! We want more!
das
Regeneration In Process
OOC: Okay, guess I'll be merciful. India remains alive. But it does lose an army and get into a bloody civil war, just to make sure NK understands me.
IC:
Chapter Forty Four.
970 AD. The Turks have been defeated by the Chandallians, and retreated back all the way across Indus. The Turkish Horde was leaderless, yet for now, it managed to hold on to the lands between Zagros and Indus, creating the Kaganate of Turkia. It was to last for quite a while, despite all expectations, and in the hearts of many Turks the wish to avenge Haljuk still burned, and will burn, perhaps, for centuries.
Throughout 969 and 970, the Chandallian troops would reassert control over Rastrakutra and the lands from which the Turks withdrew. Helebatra, an overambitious Chandallian general, led a failed attempt to invate the Turkish lands themselves - the Turks were routed back at Khajuraho, but by then they regroupped well enough to surround and slaughter the Chandallian army from the distance in the "Battle of Helebatra's Folly" or Battle at Abdulapat.
After 970 AD and the war with the Turks was over, though, Chandallia had to face a new war. A one against their former allies in south and eastern India. That war will take ten years, but will culminate in a new great Indian Empire for the first time since the Gupta. A new Indian Empire as strong as the Mauryans.
An Indian Empire that was built by blood spilled in the Hindu Wars starting in 970 AD.
IC:
Chapter Forty Four.
970 AD. The Turks have been defeated by the Chandallians, and retreated back all the way across Indus. The Turkish Horde was leaderless, yet for now, it managed to hold on to the lands between Zagros and Indus, creating the Kaganate of Turkia. It was to last for quite a while, despite all expectations, and in the hearts of many Turks the wish to avenge Haljuk still burned, and will burn, perhaps, for centuries.
Throughout 969 and 970, the Chandallian troops would reassert control over Rastrakutra and the lands from which the Turks withdrew. Helebatra, an overambitious Chandallian general, led a failed attempt to invate the Turkish lands themselves - the Turks were routed back at Khajuraho, but by then they regroupped well enough to surround and slaughter the Chandallian army from the distance in the "Battle of Helebatra's Folly" or Battle at Abdulapat.
After 970 AD and the war with the Turks was over, though, Chandallia had to face a new war. A one against their former allies in south and eastern India. That war will take ten years, but will culminate in a new great Indian Empire for the first time since the Gupta. A new Indian Empire as strong as the Mauryans.
An Indian Empire that was built by blood spilled in the Hindu Wars starting in 970 AD.
North King
blech
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2004
- Messages
- 18,165
Just to make sure das understands, if I hear one more person bother me in one more place about the update, the NES is CLOSED.
Decent update, BTW.
Decent update, BTW.
jalapeno_dude
AKA Panda Judo Eel
Keep going. This cannot die! Ever!
