Historical Overview Section
King Porus fought the Battle of the Hydaspes River with Alexander in 326 BC. After fierce fighting and very heavy casualties on both sides, he was defeated by Alexander in a Pyrrhic victory. The battle is often considered to be Alexander's hardest fought battle, so hard that it caused his army to mutiny against him afterwards. In a famous meeting with Porus - who had suffered many arrow wounds in the battle and had lost his sons, who all chose death in battle rather than surrender - Alexander reportedly asked him, "How would you like to be treated?" Porus replied, "As befits a king." Alexander was so impressed by the brave and powerful response of King Porus that he released him back to his Kingdom and gave him the captured land of a neighbouring Kingdom whose ruler had fled. King Porus is reported to have participated in Alexander's conquests further east in India. During the attack and destruction of Sagala, Porus rallied Alexander and supplied elephants as well as 5,000 troops.
Using the army in ADLG
- The mixed formation bowmen are pretty tasty, and can stand up to enemy shooting very well. Being Mediocre in combat ins't often much of a problem, and they are now cheaper too in v4
- Standard bowmen can now charge with the elephants against most opponents.
- The War Wagons are hard for enemies to deal with quickly, and as a blocker are certainly worth a look
- In practice the chariot force often struggles to coordinate with the rest of the army, and may be best left at home
Useful Links
User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:
- Building a viable list for this army : A Madaxeman.com Podcast
- Classical Indians DBA Figure Gallery for this army - from Fanaticus
- Indian Military History on Wikipedia
- TMP Thread on Indian Chariot painting styles
- All Empires Indian warfare page
- Alexander vs Porus short version of the battle scene from the Oliver Stone film
- Mountain Indians DBA Figure Gallery for this army - from Fanaticus
15mm Manufacturers supplying figures for this army
You can see some of the figures in the Ancients Photo Gallery also on this site
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- Essex Miniatures - 17 Indian figure codes
- Donnington Indian elephant in the Greek range
- Museum Miniatures Re-done Idian range in new Z sculpts.
- Black Hat Miniatures (previously Gladiator Games) 18 Indians including various elephants and crew combo's here you can find figure to make your heavy weapon (swordmen)
- Old Glory 15's,
- Magister Militum 13 Indians - also sell VVV transfers for Indian Elephants
- Minifigs
- Khurasan new Kushan and Indian range just released.
- Irregular Miniatures 12 Indians sold singly
- Tin Soldier Fun Indian range - some of their chunky elephants appear in the Photo Gallery on this site
- Xyston very nice Indian range
- Hall of Ancient Warriors 8-strong range of Classical Indians
- Battle Line Miniatures 15 Indians in their range
- East Riding Miniatures the former TTG range - the same as those from Battle Line, here you can find your armoured cavalry (gupta)
- Outpost Tamil & Hindu Indian ranges, so slightly later than this period from 500-1500 AD
- MY Miniatures Indians in their Macedonian range - may also be former TTG models?
- Two Dragons Do a Moghul range but with many fairly generic blokes with sticks who could work for this era
Army Lists
Roll Call 2024 15mm 3rd place
Brilliant Commander (6)
2 Elephant Elite (32)
2 Medium Infantry Sword(12)
2 Medium Infantry 1/2 Sword/Bow (16)
4 Light Infantry Bow (16)
2 Medium Cavalry (14)
==
Ordinary Commander Included (-3)
3 Heavy Chariot Impetuous Elite* (36)
1 Light Chariot Bow (9)
==
Ordinary Commander (0)
1 Elephant Elite (16)
1 Medium Infantry Sword (6)
4 Medium Infantry 1/2 Sword/Bow (32)
2 Light Infantry Bow (8)
Initiative 2
Break Point 24
Beachhead 2024
Elite Elephant + Included General
2 Maiden Guard 2HW Elite
1 LF Bow
1 Crap Cavalryman
==
3 Mixed Units
2 LF Javelin
1 Elite Elephant
1 Impact HCv
1 LF Bow
2 LH Bow
Ordinary
==
3 Mixed Units
1 Elite Elephant
1 Impact HCv
1 LF Bow
2 LH Bow
2 MCv Bow
Ordinary
Lisboa 2022
2 Elephants Elite
2 LF Bow
3 Mixed Shooters
Competent General
==
2 Elephants Elite
1 LF Bow
1 LG Javelin
3 Mixed Shooters
Competent General
==
2 Elephants Elite
1 LF Bow
1 LG Javelin
2 Mixed Shooters
1 Crap Medium cavalry
Competent General
Britcon 2022 (V4)
pre 1000AD
Competent Included Unreliable
1 Elephant with inc General Elephant Elite
1 Light Infantry bow light infantry bow
3 Mixed Units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
2 Light Cavalry Light cavalry bow
==
Competent
3 Chariots heavy chariot impetuous elite
1 Light Chartio light chariot bow elite
2 Horse medium cavalry
==
Ally, Competent
3 Elephants Elephant Elite
3 Mixed units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
2 Light infantry javelin Light infantry javelin
Second at Britcon 2022 (V4)
250BC Maurya
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant (incl general) Elephant Elite
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
3 Indian Archers in Mixed Units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
1 Light Infantry Javelin Light infantry javelin
2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
==
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant (incl general) Elephant Elite
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
3 Indian Archers in Mixed Units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
1 Light Infantry Javelin Light infantry javelin
2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
==
Ally,
Ordinary Included
1 Nobles (incl General) Heavy chariot impetuous Elite
2 Nobles Heavy chariot impetuous Elite
1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
Worlds 2022 (V4)
2 Elephants Elite
2 MF Guardsmen 2HW
1 Poor Bowman
2 LF
Ordinary General
==
2 Elephants
3 Mixed UNits
2 LF Bow
Ordinary Included General
==
1 Elephant
2 Mixed Units
2 LH Bow
1 MCv Mediocre with included Brilliant General
1 LF Bow
2 HCv Impact
Roll Call 2022 25mm (V4)
2 Mixed Infantry
Elephant Elite w/Ordinary General
1 LH Bow
1 LF Bow
==
2 Elite Elephants with an Ordinary Included General
3 Mixed Units
2 LF Bow
1 LH Bow
==
3 Elite Elephants
Brilliant General
3 LF Bow
1 Crap Cavalryman
2 Med Sw Elite2HW GUardsmen
1 Mediocre Bow
79 Classical Indian (v4 list Devonian Classic)
Brilliant
2 Elite Elephants
2 Swordsmen
2 Guardsmen
2 LF Bow
2 LF Javelin
==
Ordinary
3 Impetuous HCh Elite
1 LCh Bow Elite
2 Crapppy Cavalry
2 LH Bow
==
Ordinary
4 Indian Warrior 1/2 and 1/2
3 Pure Bowmen
Bournemouth 2021 v4 list
3 Elite HCh IMpetuous
2 LF Bow
5 Mixed Shooters
2 Ordinary Cavalry
==
2 Wagon X
2 LF Bow
5 Mixed Shooters
==
2 Mixed Shooters
1 LF Bow
1 MF Sword
(Deployed in ambush)
Podcast Special - Richards List #1 Mauraya
Ordinary Included
1 War elephant Elephant Elite
2 Indian archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Indian archers Bowmen ------
2 Indian archers Bowmen Mediocre
1 Light infantry Light infantry bow ----
1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
==
Ordinary Included Unreliable
2 War elephant Elephant Elite
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite
1 Indian warriors Medium swordsmen ----
1 Light infantry Light infantry javelin ----
2 Light infantry Light infantry bow ----
1 Levy Levy
==
Ordinary Included
2 War elephant Elephant Elite 16
1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre 5
2 Indian archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------ 9
2 Indian archers Bowmen ------ 7
2 Light infantry Light infantry bow ---- 4
Podcast 1a Corrected Mauraya
Ordinary Included
1 Elephant
2 Warriors Swordsmen
2 Bowmen
1 Mediocre Bowman
2 LF Bow
==
Ordinary Included Unreliable
3 Elephants
2 Guardsmen Elite
2 LFJavelin
1 LF Bow
==
Brilliant CinC
1 Elephant
2 Cavalry Mediocre
1 Medium SDword Warrior
1 Mixed Foot
1 Bowman
2 Mediocre Bowmen
1 LF Bow
2 Herd of Cattle
Podcast List #2 Guptas
Ordinary
3 Horsemen Heavy cavalry impact Elite
2 Horse archers Light cavalry bow ------
==
Ordinary Included
2 War elephant Elephant Elite
2 Indian archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
2 Indian archers Bowmen ----
2 Light infantry Light infantry bow ----
==
Ordinary Included
2 War elephant Elephant Elite 16
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite 10
2 Indian archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------ 9
2 Light infantry Light infantry javelin ---- 4
2 Light infantry Light infantry bow ---- 4
Cold Wars 2020 - Doubles List
8 Bow Mediocre
4 MF Swordsmen
Ordinary General
==
8 Bow Mediocre
4 MF Swordsmen
Ordinary General
==
3 Elephants Elite
3 LF Bow
Competent General
==
6 Chariots Elite Impetuouos
1 Cavalry Mediocre
1 Scythed Chariot Herd of Oxen
Brilliant General
79 Classical Indian Noodlers USTT 2020
Competent, Included, Unreliable
3 Nobles* Light chariot bow Elite
2 Light Horse Light cavalry javelin ------
2 Archers Bowmen Mediocre
==
Brilliant
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite
2 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
2 Archers Bowmen Mediocre
2 Mixed ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
2 Lights Light infantry bow ------
1 Stampeding Herd Scythed chariot ----
==
Ordinary, included
1 War Elephants* Elephant Elite
2 Mixed ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Lights Light infantry bow ------
Fortified Camp
79 Classical Indian (D'Addino - Britcon 2019)
Brilliant
2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
3 Indian Archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
1 light infantri Light infantry bow ------
1 light infantri Light infantry javelin ----
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite
==
Competent Included
2 War Elephant* Elephant Elite
3 Indian Archers in mixed unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 light infantri Light infantry bow ------
1 light infantri Light infantry javelin ----
==
Ordinary, Included, Unreliable
4 Nobles* Heavy chariot impetuous ------
79 Classical Indian (Malcom - Britcon 2019)
Brilliant
3 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite
1 Light infantry bow ----
2 Light infantry javelin ----
1 Indian archers in mixed units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ----
1 Indian warriors Medium swordsmen ------
1 Stampeding cattle Scythed chariot ------
==
Ordinary Included
1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Indian archers in mixed units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Light infantry bow ------
1 Light cavalry javelin ------
==
Competent Included
1 Elephant Elite
2 Indian archers in mixed units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Indian archers Bowmen Mediocre
1 Light infantry bow ----
1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
1 Light cavalry javelin ----
200 AP from Patras 2019
2 Elephants Elite w/general Competent
4 Mixed Bw/Sw
2 LF Bow
==
2 Elephants as above
2 Bw Mediocre
2 Crap medium Cavalry
1 Horde
1 LF Bow
2 Mixed Units
==
4 Heavy Chariots
2 LH Javelin
2 Mediocre Bow
Included Competent General
200AP Cry Havoc 2018 - Guptas
4 mediocre Bow
2 Elite Elephants
1 Elite Elephant with General
2 LF Bow
==
4 mediocre Bow
2 Elite Elephants
1 Elite Elephant with General
2 LF Bow
==
4 Elite Impact HC included General
2 LF Bow
200AP, Peter Webb, Britcon 2017 winner
Brilliant General
3 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Guardsmen Medium swordsmen 2HW Elite
2 Skirmishers Light infantry javelin ------
1 Indian warriors Medium swordsmen ------
1 Skirmishers Light infantry bow Elite
1 Light Horse Light cavalry javelin ----
1 Indian Archers Bowmen ----
Ordinary Included General
1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
2 Indian Mixed Unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen ------
1 Skirmishers Light infantry bow ------
===
Competent General
1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
1 Indian Mixed Unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
1 Skirm ishers Light infantry bow ------
2 Indian Archers Bowmen ----
1 Compulsary Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
1 Light Horse Light cavalry javelin ----
200AP used at The Worlds 2017
1 El Elite, Included General Ordinary
1 LF Bw
3 Bow
1 Swordsman
--
3 Elite El
3 Mixed Foot
1 LF Bw
2 LF JLS
Brilliant separate General
--
1 Cv Inferior
1 Ordinary General
4 Heavy Chariots Impetuous Elite
The Heavy Chariot command came as a bit of a surprise, but this was a 2-list competition. Whether its a good idea I'm not sure, as it seems to work at a different pace to the rest of the army, and probably needs a lot of the command and control capability to make it work.. which leaves the Elephants a little short
200pts Used at The Worlds 2016
Brilliant
3 Eléphant Elite
2 ½ Fantassin moyen ½ Archer ------
1 Infanterie légère arc ------
2 Archer Médiocre
2 Infanterie légère javelot ------
Ordinary
2 Eléphant Elite
2 Archer ------
2 Infanterie légère arc ------
Competent, allied, included
3 Char lourd impétueux Elite
1 Cavalerie moyenne Médiocre
1 Cavalerie légère javelot ----
1 Chariot de guerre arc Médiocre
(Used by Hugo Tate)
200 Points
Competent/Competent/Ordinary
- 2 War Elephant Elephant Elite 16
- 4 Mixed Unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ 9 - 2 Light Infantry bow Light infantry bow
------ 4
-----
- 2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
- 4 Mixed Unit ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ - 4 Light Infantry bow Light infantry bow
------
-----
- 1 Horsemen Medium cavalry Mediocre
- 4 Bowmen Bowmen
------
200 Points
Corps 1 (Competent)
- 2 War Elephants Elephant Elite
- 3 Indian archers Bowmen
------ - 2 Light Cavalry Javlin Light cavalry javelin
------ - 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------
Corps 2 (Competent)
- 3 Heavy Chariot Impetious Elite Heavy chariot impetuous Elite
- 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------ - 2 Medium cavalry Mediocre Medium cavalry Mediocre
Corps 3 (Ordinary)
- 8 Indian Archers Bowmen
---- - 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------ - 1 Levy Levy
----
200 Points
Corps 1 (Competent)
- 1 Heavy cavalry impact
- 4 Bowmen
Corps 2 (Competent)
- 2 Elephant Elite
- 4 ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ - 2 Light infantry bow
------
Corps 3 (Competent)
- 2 Elephant Elite
- 4 ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ - 2 Light infantry bow
----
List played at Roll Call, quite succesfull against Cavalry armies:
Corps 1: Ordinary
- 1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
- 1 War Wagon Bow War wagon bow Mediocre
- 1 Horseman Medium cavalry Mediocre
- 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------ - 2 Indian Archers Mixed ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
----
Corps 2: Ordinary
- 2 War Elephant Elephant Elite
- 4 Indian Archers Mixed ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ - 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------
Corps 3: Ordinary
- 1 War Elephant Elephant Elite
- 4 Indian Archers Mixed ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
------ - 2 Light Infantry Bow Light infantry bow
------ - 3 Levy Levy
----