Bengal

For the region, see Bengal (region).

Bengal

Primary culture

Bengali (Eastern Aryan)

Capital province

Gauda (563)

Government

Indian Sultanate

State religion

Sunni

Technology group

Indian

Bengal Sultanate ideas

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Traditions:

+15% National manpower modifier

+10% Infantry combat ability

Combat Coastal Piracy

+10% Trade efficiency

Promote Habshi Generals

+0.5 Yearly army tradition

Clear the Delta

−10% Development cost

Attract Sufi Scholars

−10% Idea cost

Conquest of the Gangetic Plain

+1 Land leader shock

Begin the Minting of Rupees

+10% National tax modifier

Bengali Industrialization

+10% Goods produced modifier

Ambition:

+15% Artillery damage from back row

The Bengal Sultanate won its independence from the Tughluq dynasty of

Delhi in a long struggle of diplomacy, siegecraft, and warfare that lasted from 1354-1359. Bengal has established itself as a unified and powerful Sultanate over the last century.

The Sultanate's original Ilyas Shahi dynasty been restored by Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud, a capable administrator and a man committed to upholding peace and stability. He has thus far presided over the development of Bengal's cities and the construction of magnificent new mosques.

The most pressing foreign threats facing Bengal are the Gajapati Kingdom of Orissa and the Sharqi dynasty of Jaunpur. The Gajapatis command the loyalty of the Garjat tribes, as they traditionally pledge their loyalty to whichever power controls the major coastal cities. If Bengal can defeat the Orissa kingdom, they might be convinced to extend that same loyalty to the Sultan. Like Bengal itself, the Jaunpur Sultanate broke free from the grip of Delhi, though it has enjoyed its independence only since 1393. Jaunpur controls a vast stretch of the Doab, the great riverine lands of the Ganges. Bengal and Jaunpur came to blows as recently as 1420. Though the conflict came to an abrupt end due to the intervention of Timurid and Ming envoys, many sore issues remain between both nations and further wars may be inevitable.

Relations with the Buddhist Sultans of Arakan have fluctuated wildly; in one year they are the Bengal’s loyal subjects, in another they are ambivalent allies, and in yet another they are a pirate menace. Future relations with Arakan are likely to be guided just as much by circumstance.

Bengal is a promising regional hegemon, with great potential for expansion. The Bengal tiger may yet become the sovereign of all India.

In 1444, Bengal is a Sunni sultanate in Eastern India. With a few very rich provinces and upper-hand in the Bengal trade node at the start, it is possible to turn Bengal into one of the major powers in the Indian region and eventually unite the Indian subcontinent and declare the empire of Hindustan. They follow the Hanafi school.

Missions[edit | edit source]

Main article: Bengali missions

Bengal's missions are centered around expanding to the south, west and east while building up a strong economy.

Events[edit | edit source]

Main article: Bengali events

Decisions[edit | edit source]

Bengal can form Hindustan as an Eastern Aryan nation.

id

Form Hindustan (Central Indian, Eastern Aryan)

Form the mighty Hindustan and bring all the lands of the Indian subcontinent under your rule.

Potential requirements

Hindustan does not exist.
The country:

was never an end-game nation.
is not the Mughals
has never formed Bharat or Hindustan before.
is not colonial nation.
is Muslim.
does not have 'Steppe Horde' government reform
has a culture in either culture group:
- Central Indian
- Eastern Aryan

If the country is AI-controlled then it:

is not a custom nation
is not a former colonial nation.
has at least 15 cities

Playing with normal or historical nations.

Allow

The country:

is not a subject nation other than a tributary state.
is not at war.
is not a nomad nation.
has 3 stability.
has embraced Feudalism
owns its core provinces:
- Multan (506)
- Surat (517)
- Central Doab (524)
- Madurai (536)
- Daulatabad (545)
- Cuttack (552)
- Pataliputra (558)
- Bidar (1948)
- Halar (2052)
- Kumari (4410)
- Mansura (4503)
- Delhi (522)
- Gauda (563)
- Assam (566)
owns core provinces if primary culture is Central Indian:
- Burhanpur (527)
- Sambalpur (553)
owns core provinces if primary culture is Eastern Aryan:
- Lahore (507)
- Tondainadu (539)

Effects

The country:

becomes Hindustan.
gains 10 prestige.
gets new missions.
gets the event ‘New Traditions & Ambitions’, unless it is a custom nation.
becomes an empire.
removes all provinces from the Holy Roman Empire, if it is a member and not an elector or the emperor.
gains permanent claims on the Indian subcontinent.

AI will always take this decision.

AI gives "small priority" (50) to this decision

Strategy[edit | edit source]

The below is one of many player suggested strategies for Bengal. Bear in mind, due to the dynamic nature of the game, it may unfold differently for other players.

At 1444 Bengal is a strong nation, and is located in the very rich Bengal trade node in east India. The country's culture belongs to the East Aryan group which can determine one's early expansion and forming Hindustan. Like most Indian countries Bengal embraced feudalism and has no technology penalty at the start. Possible starting rivals are: Jaunpur, Orissa, Ayutthaya, Ava and Arakan. Strong allies are the sultanates of Delhi and Malwa. Like all of the Indian region, Bengali provinces are Hindu, but Bengal's religious unity is 100% with +3 heathen tolerance and Dhimmi influence. With high piety Bengal players can slowly convert provinces without any problems.

Early game[edit | edit source]

After starting a game in 1444 year the first, risky but the most beneficial route of expansion is a reconquest war with Orissa and her vassal Garjat before they can have their own allies. If the fort in Balasore is mothballed the war is won after one battle. Alliance with Delhi and/or Malwa won't help militarily but can prevent eventual coalition after taking all Orissa provinces, which will make Garjat automatically become a vassal. It's worth to know that the newly conquered land belongs to East Aryan culture group so will have less unrest. The price for this victory will be however +50 aggressive expansion in some countries, so it would be wise to recover manpower and look for expansion opportunities on the east and north. If player missed a chance or don't feel confident about Orissa, Bengal has many other options for easy early expansion: Koch, Kachar, Arakan and eventually Assam. Nepal and Tirhut are in the Bengali culture group and will be quicker to diplomatically-annex if vassalised. Delhi soon will probably make call to aid him in war against the common rival - Jaunpur. This can be an opportunity to make separate peace and take necessary provinces for becoming Hindustan in cost of trust. Like all nations in India, Bengal must balance aggressive expansion between Hindu and Muslim countries. With Mandate of Heaven DLC Ming will make a proposition for becoming his tributary state. As tributary state Bengal can easily expand to the East and has good protection against Indian coalitions. Forming Hindustan is major step for making Bengal a ruler of India. With conquered Orissa only three provinces are left: Patna in Jaunpur, Jharkhand and Bundelakhand. The last two could easily be taken by one of Bengali allies, so time of expansion is essential. Forming Hindustan will give claims all over the rich Indian provinces and make possible for example to force vassalise Ceylon before Vijaynagar take it, which will stop their advancement southward. In case of that Bengal can proclaim their guarantee.

Institution issue[edit | edit source]

After 1450 and some early expansion, Renaissance will appear in Europe with yearly ticking technology penalty. Fortunately Bengal is rich and has farmland (-5% development cost) and grassland provinces with cloth and cotton (-10% development cost). Quantity and Economic ideas groups are a good first choices for additional -30% development cost. With loyal Merchant Guild and Encourage Development edict, provinces like Barind or Nasirabad can have -60% or -65% development cost. This gives a good opportunity for investing monarch points and increase development in one of them to about 35–40, which will make the Institution embraced in that province and make it spread around. Embracing the institution will cost a lot of gold, so using many mercenaries in wars is not recommended. With embraced Renaissance Bengal will probably become one of the great power (with Rights of Man expansion), and have advanced diplomatic abilities unless it's a tributary state. The same steps can be done after the appearance of Colonialism and Printing press. Global trade will spread easily without stimulation and with collecting in Goa trade node with major power there, it can appear in one of Bengali (Hindustani) province. Manufactories and Enlightenment also could start like that if the requirements are met.

Mid-game[edit | edit source]

Bengal's major opposition mid-game are Vijayanagar and Bahmanis. Forming a coalition against them may be worthwhile. After creating Hindustan, Bengal can easily overcome Vijayanagar. Feeding Ceylon with Madurai, Venad, Kochin, Malabar and Mysore will save some administration points and limited number of states. After taking the south part of Vijayanagar, Hindustan with full quantity ideas can practically ignore aggressive expansion impact and quickly conquer the rest of India. This could be a moment to let go of regional allies and try thinking global. A Muslim alliance on west and a Chinese alliance on east could be strategic to deal in both wings. Aceh or Malacca makes great ally with their naval superiority, which comes in handy in wars in eastern Asia. Also as they are not colonial usually, there's less chance of border clashes. In the west, Ottomans are the greatest power, but not the best option, as they will want to drag Bengal to their wars in Europe and the player must try hard to avoid getting up against any major European nations. The mid game is the time that European powers come by India looking for land. But Hindustan should be strong enough to go head to head against almost any European power on home land. Although the East India missions could be tempting, but western nations will avoid serious clash as it might hurt their position in their mainlands. Avoid letting small countries keep coastal provinces, which could make things easy for the Europeans. The biggest issue Bengal has to deal with is Ming. At some point being a tributary state will start to hurt more than help and decision for becoming hostile to Ming has to be made. If Bengal/Hindustan has border with the empire, a force tributary war is the matter of time. A good strategy for Ming is to conquer most of his tributaries, have big allies (f.e. Ottomans) and patience... With 0 mandate Empire will have big penalties to army and economy.

Later Game[edit | edit source]

After conquering all of India, Bengal/Hindustan is most definitely a world power. India has high base tax provinces and is in an excellent position to expand. As a Muslim nation, Bengal has the option to gain the ultimate goal, Unify Islam. It requires the massive growth of the empire into the Spanish and Italian regions. As Timurids collapses out regularly into Persia and Mughals, this should not be a trouble. Conquering Samarkand is a requirement for the Bengal Tiger achievement.

If south eastern countries are crushed, Bengal might also be able to expand through China; however as a Muslim country Bengal can't become the Emperor of China.