Urumi are melee infantry they do range damage in melee mode with a 1 rate of fire. They barely counter cannons.
So true.
As for howdah, They are a very decent unit, Probably the only good unit of India. It has a high attach n 3 rate of fire n good hp , but is balanced with less range and ok-ish rate of fire. it already counters normal cannons nicely but carries good risk of dying in the process due to short range. It doesnt really need a change. The only change needed would be, adding +1 range to siege ele with each upgrade so instead of 28/30, it can can 30/32 range and perform its designed task (Culv+mortar) well , withough being too OP in any game mode.
As for uniqueness n fighting strategy, India was the most unique civ in the game, but that has been diluted and nothing new is imported , now even double shipments, I would be in favor of India being a major melee civ, and not another skirm/goon civ. But for that to happen, mahawat n Urumi needs to be more viable, accessible and optimized, specially for late game.
Also, have already created a broader topic for India, as Indian issues are too many and too little: India needs an late game update. Ideas and suggestions