The Indian traditions highlight the strengths of the Mauryan kingdom and its neighbors, using large formations of Indian war elephants to smash through the enemy, supported by fast moving archers and chariots who can maneuver around the dispersed troops. They also used complex formations such as the legendary Blooming Lotus, or Padma Vyuha.
The Indian military tradition groups, Indian kingdom and Indian tribe, are available from the start of the game for countries of the following culture groups:
Aryan
Dravidian
Pracyan
Tibetan
This tradition group can also be unlocked by embracing the military tradition:
Gain 2 Freemen in 3 cities with the highest room to grow (population cap − total population)
+5% Morale of armies
Padma Vyuha
The Bureaucracy of War
Gain 4 Innovations
+2.5% Levy size multiplier
N/A
Warhost of the Empire
N/A
+10% Heavy infantry morale
The Bureaucracy of War
The Vyuha System
N/A
+10% Heavy infantry defense
Warhost of the Empire
Integrating the Tribes
Every subject nation gains opinion modifier towards Our Nation:
Appreciates Protection (+50 opinion)
+12% National tribesman happiness
The Vyuha System
Tradition
Description
State Artisans
The supply of military equipment was, in some cases, controlled by the efficient Mauryan bureaucracy from beginning to end. In characteristic style, this highly informed manner of government reduced inefficiencies in the system, allowing for cheaper resupply.
Fit for a King
Indian chariots belonging to nobles, were often heavily ornate and formidably defended. This practice was as much a display of class, as it was a practical solution.
Imported Horses
The trade in trained warhorses is vital to our success in mounted warfare. These sturdy creatures are capable of pulling enhanced weight, and are unlikely to panic in battle.
Dedicated Archers
The core troops of the Mauryan army were archers, armed with bows varying in style. Indeed, many Indian military formations reserve a place for a tightly packed group of well coordinated missile troops.
Armored Archers
Many cultures associated archery with light, skirmishing troops. Not always so, in the Mauryan military; protecting archers against the projectiles of their enemy counterparts worked admirably in concert with the vyuha system protecting them against ground assault.
Versatile Infantry
Infantry in the Mauryan Empire were often equipped with a dazzling array of weaponry. Capable of acting as light troops one moment, to archers the next, allowed for unengaged linemen to offer ranged support in the blink of an eye.
Padma Vyuha
The Padma Vyuha was a signature formation, said to resemble a lotus in bloom. The mythical origins of the Padma Vyuha are mentioned in the Maharabhata, however, the formation itself had only very limited uses.
Flexible Divisions
The organisation of the Mauryan army in particular, was built with flexibility in mind. The 'patti', the smallest constituent unit of troops, was unlike any other army in the world. Comprised of chariot, elephant, cavalry and infantry, it allowed for high tactical flexibility when performing formative maneuvers.
The Bureaucracy of War
Used to dealing with the needs of huge armies, battles and sieges were often planned in great detail. Advance parties would often be dispatched to prepare the land for habitation, and great care was taken to protect the ubiquitous baggage train which supplied the main force.
Warhost of the Empire
Densely populated areas in northern India allowed for the recruitment of vast armies. The knowledge that every foot soldier is part of an invincible war-machine, inspires our troops to heroic acts of glory.
The Vyuha System
The vyuha formations mentioned in the Maharabhata, placed great importance on the protection of archers. Such security will have given these troops the peace of mind to focus and perform their duties to the best of their ability.
Integrating the Tribes
The systematic integration of tribal cultures into the highly efficient Mauryan bureaucracy was achieved largely by legislating them out of existence. The protection of forests, animals and royal grounds, effectively forced the tribal people to give up their nomadic way of life.
If country has no ports then gain a port in the most populous coastal city (with available building slots)
Gain a navy with 8 Trireme units in a random owned port city
Allows "Octere" units
+10% Ship damage done
N/A
Masters of the Sea
N/A
+10% Morale of navies
The 'Diplomatic' Fleet
Natural Harbors
Gain a port building level in the 2 most populous coastal cities (with available building slots)
−15% Ship building cost
Masters of the Sea
Plunder!
N/A
Enable the "Slave Raid" ability
+10% Enslavement efficiency
Natural Harbors
Homeland of our Fathers
Gain 2 Freemen in 4 cities with the highest room to grow (population cap − total population)
+5% Combat bonus in forest
+15% Combat bonus in jungle
N/A
City of the World's Desire
Gain a fortress building level in the most populous city (with available building slots)
+10% Fort defense
+1 National fort infrastructure capacity
Homeland of our Fathers
Exotic Soldiers
A new character is generated with:
8 Martial
Victorious trait
−10% Mercenary army maintenance
City of the World's Desire
Embrace Indo-Persian Influence
Unlock Persian tradition groups if any of the below culture groups has either500 pops or is equal to 25% of the country's primary culture pops:
Anatolian
Aramaic
Bactrian
Caucasian
Iranian
Scythian
+5% Combat bonus in plains
Exotic Soldiers
Descendents of Airavata
N/A
+10% War elephant defense
Homeland of our Fathers
Elephantine Abundance
N/A
−15% War elephant cost
Descendents of Airavata
Natural Pathfinders
N/A
+5% Combat bonus in jungle
+15% War elephant combat bonus in forest
+15% War elephant combat bonus in jungle
Elephantine Abundance
Striding Beside Giants
N/A
+10% War elephant morale
Natural Pathfinders
Trained to Kill
N/A
+10% War elephant discipline
Natural Pathfinders
Tradition
Description
The 'Diplomatic' Fleet
Established by Ashoka, the presence of the state navy of the Mauryas was often enough to sway diplomacy in his favor.
Masters of the Sea
While northern India was the site of great, land-spanning Empires, the southern regions were home to kingdoms and empires which evolved gradually into significant maritime powers.
Natural Harbors
The coast of India was a hotbed of commerce and gossip. The numerous natural harbors led to the establishment of permanent trading posts which dealt with local and foreign tradesmen alike. The abundance of ships in need of maintenance forms a healthy competition, driving down the price of all naval endeavors.
Plunder!
The practice of looting and pillaging was prevalent in many cultures in the ancient world, and India was no exception. The kidnap and ransom of royal persons was a major part of the dravidian kingdoms in particular.
Homeland of our Fathers
The wild jungles and forests may have been what inspired the flexibility of the Mauryan infatrymen, who, in switching armament dependent on situation, could function just as well in low visibility, as in the open plains.
City of the World's Desire
Pataliputra, often considered the largest city in the ancient world, was the pinnacle of Indian architectural prowess. Elsewhere, the ability of Indian masons was displayed in the grand mountain fortifications, built to keep invaders at bay.
Exotic Soldiers
The few soldiers from far off lands who are willing to make the journey to our realm shall find a place in our forces... after negotiation, of course.
Embrace Indo-Persian Influence
N/A
Descendents of Airavata
Elephants had long been used for warfare by Indian states. Undomesticated, elephants tend to lead a peaceful, grazing lifestyle; however, when trained for war, the thick skinned colossi act as a living battering ram, breaking enemy infantry formations as a man might swat a fly.
Elephantine Abundance
The green, arable land of the north is overflowing with riches, not least in the valuable elephants which are so important to our armies; and where there is a surfeit, prices drop.
Natural Pathfinders
The overgrown jungles, and dense forests of India are perfect terrain for elephant cavalry. Able to part foliage with ease, the advantage this brings us in otherwise difficult terrain, cannot be overstated.
Striding Beside Giants
The effect of war-elephants is not solely reserved for our foes. Entering battle alongside such majestic creatures is a boost to the confidence of all our soldiers.
Trained to Kill
As well as providing an advantageous platform for a rider, war-elephants were trained to kill without a thought. An elephant charge was often enough to cause entire formations to panic.