To summarize:
Civs to add: Marathas (slightly later) Cholas (earlier range) and Vijaynagara (perfect timing) controlled vast parts of India during this time period.
There will probably be gunpowder and frigates in this game (1600 onwards) so we can also include the Marathas (which ended the Sultanate but disintegrated to Mughals but then re-emerged from Mughals to die to British Raj).
Reason why Akbar and Mughals kinda worked in AOE3: The reason Mughal Emperors like Akbar was a Good choice in AOE3 was Akbar was more tolerant of the native Hindu population. Akbar’s Religious Views and His Policy towards Hindus (historydiscussion.net)
In addition the civ had elements of all of its cultures and wasnt strictly one culture (Mughals): sepoys, rajputs, elephants, hinduism, dharma, shivaji’s tactics(marathan commander), urumi (tamilian), etc.
Why Delhi Sultanate in AOE4 is so divisive: Delhi Sultanate (is strictly ONE culture) raped, pillaged, and murdered native populations to spread Islam. This would anger anyone… This is like if in a game France was represented by Nazi Germany for the time it held France. Obviously Delhi Sultanate held Delhi for longer but outsider should understand how India in AOE3 went from this umbrella representative civ with a tolerant leader to suddenly a narrowed Islamic representation.
Also only held a piece of North India for most of its rule:
To everyone saying Delhi Sultanate /= India - I mean what? The game has always painted civs with broad brushes and used 1 civ to represent continents almost. They knew their crowd?? They knew the perception/response it would have. It would be nice if they released an “Asian DLC” with Vijaynagara, Delhi Sultans, and Persia.
Why all this ruckus? We have 0 reassurance that we will get another civ. Thus everyone is debating why they did this civ. If its 500-1500 - then representing the birthplace of the three huge religions of the world (Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism) - its awful to include the pillaging, raping, and barbaric foreign invader sultanate that burned every idol or book and enslaved father, mother or child it came across that wasn’t muslim The treatment of the local population was that of almost slavery. So yes modern Indians from all religions wouldn’t be too fond of this new civ being added. Its almost if Rape of Nanjing or German Occupation of France was a civ to represent China or France. Persecution of Hindus - Wikipedia
The Delhi Sultanate’s Treatment of Hindus (e-ir.info).
TLDR: I have no issues with the Delhi Sultanate being in the game (it is part of the history). I have issues if its the ONLY Indian civ in the game - That would be disingenuous in representing India. Adding in Rajputs, Cholas, and/or Vijaynagara empire is not only time period relevant but also adds many campaigns /can re-energize the base /unite us all around AOE4.
Sources/Further Learning:
Vijaynagara: Rise and Fall of the Vijayanagar Empire | History of Medieval India - YouTube
Cholas: That Time an Indian Kingdom Invaded Southeast Asia | Rajendra Chola and the Maritime Chola Empire - YouTube
Marathas: Who were the Marathas? Rise and Fall of the Maratha Empire explained (Documentary) - YouTube
Rajput States and all of India: The History Of India : Every Year | Mughal Sultanate Vs Maratha Empire Vs Sikh Empire Maps - YouTube
This drum has been beaten to death in two forums. The devs know this by now or should. Let’s hope the devs care about proper civ design in Aoe4. Best of luck folks!