Timurid Civilization Concept for AoE IV_ by GoldenArmorX
0) Index
1) Civilization Bonuses
2) Miscellany
3) Landmarks and Vassals
4) Unique Technologies
5) Unique Units and Buildings
5.5).- Vassal Unique Untis
6) Final Words
Transcription
Summary
I created this concept because it seemed challenging, but also necessary, as it’s probably the closest option to a variant the Mongols could have. And if it’s chosen as a variant, I’d like to contribute ideas for possible bonuses and unique units they should have.
The idea of mosques and madrasas generating greater experience and, at the same time, better economic bonuses is in line with the concept of the Timurid Renaissance:
- After the devastation caused by the Mongols in the former Khorezmite Empire, their capital, Samarkand, lay in ruins. It wouldn’t be until the time of Tamerlane, 100 years later, that he would begin the first attempt to rebuild and beautify it with major architectural works.
- Timur descendants rebuild more other iconic cities, as Balkh or Herat.
The terror bonus and the bonus technologies against villagers are based on the dark side of Timur’s conquests:
- Rebellions were punished with mass murder, often carried out in a sadistic and cruel manner.
More than 1,000 inhabitants of Balkh were buried alive under the pretext that Timur promised “not to kill them by the sword.” - More than 100,000 people were killed in Delhi, and their skulls were used to erect towers of heads at each city gate. It is said that in this massacre, Timur ordered his men to bring at least two heads per soldier, or else “they would pay for it.”
- Also in Sivar, Timur ordered the village women to bring their children to a square, and then ordered his cavalry to run over the children.
Among the vassals, I had to decide between several options, but I chose the villages that voluntarily gave soldiers or planned to do so:
-
The first, the Sarbadar, were the first formal group of Khwarezmians to offer their submission to Timur, and for whom Timur always held them in high regard.
-
Moghulistan was practically the eastern Chagatai state that still wanted to continue to live by Mongol customs, which is why they have keshiks.
-
The Georgians were invaded several times by Timur under the pretext that he was “fighting against the Christian infidels.” They ended up paying tribute in precious jewels and heavy metals, as well as troops.
-
The Aq-Qoyunlu also voluntarily submitted to Timur and supported him with cavalry.
-
The Delhi Sultanate was conquered by Timur and became his vassal, from whom they obtained a large quantity of elephants and gold.
-
The Empire of Trebizond, a despotate of the Byzantine Empire, also swore allegiance to Timur, mainly because they had a common enemy, the Ottomans.
According to the literature I consulted, horse archers were still important to the Timurid armies. However, they were no longer composed of the Mangudai tribe originating in Mongolia, but rather of Turco-Mongol archers, with new traditions, better (larger) horses, and the unique feature of being able to dismount and fight on foot.
Therefore, I gave them a different horse archer unit, also to make them feel like a different civ.
Oh, and in case there were any doubts:
- If I didn’t choose the Ottomans or the Mamluk Sultanate as vassals, it’s because they didn’t surrender soldiers to Timur. He devastated their kingdoms and robbed them of craftsmen and money, but in the end, they never completely succumbed to Timur; they were only defeated and held in a truce.
Aside from that, I hope you liked the concept. This is the version for the DIY competition. I hope to publish a Spanish version in the future, but when I have more free time.
Best regards!
7) Bibliography
Transcription
Pick here to read a transcription with selectable text
Books and Magazines
- Desperta Ferro, Tamerlán, Desperta Ferro Antigua Y Medieval N° 42, 2012
- Justin Marozzi, Tamerlane, Sword of Islam, Conqueror of the World, 2012
- Guerreros Medievales 15 - La Era De Tamerlan, Osprey Publishing & del Prado 2007
- Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo, Vida y hazañas del Gran Tamorlán con la descripción de las tierras de su imperio y señorío, original: ~1578, recent re-edition:1783
- David Nicolle, Angus McBride, The Age of Tamerlane, Men at Arms 222, 1990.
Articles
- Viacheslav Hordiienko, Halyna Hordiienko, Military affairs in the Golden Horde and Turan: a comparative analysis, Historia de Ucrania, Serie: Historia. 2024. Número 47.
- Javad Abbasi, Provincial Army In Timurid Era, JHSS_Volume 4 Issue 1, Pages 153-172
- L. A. Bobrov, Among the troops he chose brave warriors who were battling through ranks: On Some Peculiar Aspects of Amir Timur’s Tactical Art -28-48-1-SM (Выбрав из войска храбрецов и бойцов, прорывающих ряды, 2022)
- Dr. Muhammed Emin KOÇAK, Timurlu Ordusunun Bel Kemiği: Tavaçiler (La columna vertebral del ejército timúrida: los tavachis), 2024
- Aleksandre Tsiqoridze, მონასპა XII საუკუნის საქართველოში (MONASPA IN THE XII CENTURY), Georgia, 2019
- Mamuka Tsurtsumia, The art of war in Georgia in the eleventh century and the war with Byzantium, ch11 from “War in Eleventh-Century, 2021.
- NƏRİMAN ŞİRƏLİYEV, Azərbaycan ağqoyunlu ordusunun müdafiə yaraq-yasaqlari (Armas defensivas del ejército agqoyunlu de azerbaiyán), SENTYABR-OKTYABR 2023 № 05 (77)
Images
- Zafarnama, the story of Timur, in several of its different versions, includes many images of Timurid military troops, or scenes of battle and conquest.
- Many images were obtained from Pinterest, DeviantArt, or Google Images.
- Other images were created by ChatGPT, most notably those of the Fire Camels, the Timurid Tower Elephant, Pushandar, the Sarbadar Swordman, and the Sarbadar flag.