For the first time in history the people of Mojenho-Daro and the surrounding Indus Valley had taken up arms. Always before weapons had only been used by small groups of warriors having the sacred task of hunting down and slaying wild animals before they could attack farmers and their animals.
Now, they were faced with a threat bigger than any animal. Now the threat was man. Always peaceful and seeking to live in friendship with their neighbours their way of life had failed. No longer was it enough to just mind their own business and go about their lives. To the north of their nation an empire had arisen with warlike people and to the west barbarian horsemen reigned beyond the mountains.
With more and more threats being directed against them there was no choice but to prepare for the inevitable. If one of the hostile nations wouldn't attack them, another would.
Had someone expected the Tharians to just roll over and meekly submit they were wrong. Despite having no aggresive tendencies, they did have a strong desire to be allowed to keep their freedom and way of life. Once roused, the Tharians would make sure that any invader would pay dearly in blood for trying to conquer them.
Having always been a nation of farmers and traders ruled over by the priests, a new group emerged, that of warriors. With these people taking up arms to defend their nation, their rules and the people they were granted great respect, below only that of the priests and administrators. It was the birth of the caste system.
A massive force was trained with hundreds of men volunteering. While there were some warriors they were trained for hunting animals. With new troops being raised, new methods were needed. True to their nature as a peaceful people, focus was on tactical and defensive warfare. Training to work together in groups of spears and bows, they developed new methods. A front rank of men with large shields and spears made a defensive line beyond which archers can rain down death.
While offensive warfare wasn't to be neglegted as it might prove necessary to know in order to rout an enemy out of the land, the defence was given priority at first in order to make the enemy bleed for every step. To further promote this a series of watchtowers were constructed to quickly relay messages around through an intricate system of flags, gongs and fires. Huge defensive lines were also made. Towers and wall were constructed to protect against invasions from the west and the north.
No enemy came. The enemy to the north did attack, but it came not against Tharia, but against its peaceful eastern neighbour, Mumbai. Even being stronger than Tharia before the war the Mumbaians were forced back before manage to stabilize the line. Why the were attacked since they were stronger is unknown. Maybe for the greater challenge, maybe to get rid of the most dangerous enemy. Noone knew. The relief of not being attacked didn't last long though as every soldier and farmer knew that as soon as Mumbai fell the warrior-people would look for a new foe to take down. When that day came, the Tharians wowed to be ready. The walls were strengthened, arrows were made, archers trained their aim, swordsmen practised with each other and back in the heartland animal handlers were training elephants hoping to be able to utilise the great beasts in battle.
Tharia was ready to defend itself. The tiger had been awakened.
We accept your offers of a 5-turn NAP.
I demand a response to my diplo and that you sign on AIM.
But maybe the new tribe leader is more peaceful? 
