Is India Balanced Correctly?

[Barak]

After have played and won with almost every old world Civ and America, it was time to try the Indians. In days of old, prior to the dynamic rise of civs, India was a fun civ to play as there was plenty of good terrain and resources. But having not played them in quite some time, I was shocked to find how underpowered and handicapped they are!

Starting from the very beginning, Delhi can't grow due to excessive unhealthiness which can't be solved till plantations are available. Also, while they get the fast worker, it takes forever to improve the land. Despite founding 2 religions and building Stonehenge, I am still dead last in score with the founding of the Persians. Knowing that barbarians are coming, I also have no access to copper, and no iron anytime soon to help defend my lands.

Is there some way to improve India's chances? Or am I the only one who sees this as more than just a challenge.

 

[Bolleque]

Too much jungle in my opinion. Until biology they cannot really utilize their terrain. Maybe some to be converted into regular forest. A bit inaccurate but more balanced.

I tried them in very early version only but in all recent games they are at the bottom always.

Another big handicap for early civ is that new founded city is always empty with population 1. Founded in the same square American city is four with plenty of buildings.
Maybe well equipped cities could be limited to only starting settlers or some limited number of settlers. Or give some buildings to early civs if settler build in later ages?

 

[Gunner]

Well India shouldn't be building cities past the ancient and classical ages really. I think thats an ok idea to chage a handful of jungle to forest.

 

[Barak]

I continued my game ans was really hampered by slow growth. My production was minimal, my science was worse. By the time I got Alphabet to trade techs, I had nothing to offer more technological civs (which was everyone) and had no treasury to speak of.

I think minimizing the affects of jungle toward health would at least allow the cities to grow, which would help production, science and expansion.

Somehow china (who had 5 cities) managed to grow their economy and production, while developing a good scientific environment.

 

[Gunner]

Well each civ has separate values which modify its growth, production, gold, science, etc. So some civs are given big bonuses while others are hampered quite a bit. It sounds like India is in the second category.

 

[Crayton]

I tried a game without Japan. Rather than China colonizing the islands, India did and they are now 5th in score. Peculiar.

 

[Rhye]

I just removed some jungles but I must be very careful as some of you may remember, India can become a monster if left free

 

[Barak]

I fully understand Rhye, I am just concerned with a city that goes under unhealthyness when it grows to a size of 2!

 

[Aeon221]

I'm sorry, but that cracks me up!

I just removed some jungles but I must be very careful as some of you may remember, India can become a monster if left free

I just have this strange image in my head of my (indian) girlfriend as a fifty foot tall monster, stomping on New York. Thanks Rhye! Its gonna take days to get Ghandzilla out of my head