Delhi Sultanate/Mastery

Civilization

Technology tree

Mastery

Civilization

Technology tree

Mastery

Founded by a former slave boy, the Sultanate of Delhi rose to encompass almost the whole Indian subcontinent at the height of its rule. A melting pot of Hindu and Muslim cultures, it boasted elaborate architecture, world-renowned metal working, and the terrifying force of its thousands-strong elephant corps.

Bounty of Berries

Increase the yield of 6 or more berry bushes before reaching the Feudal Age (II).

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Coin Portrait
• Fun Fact: Slave King

Fun Fact: Slave King

From destitute beginnings, Aibak, a Turkic slave boy, underwent an unlikely rise. Sold into a sultan's household, Aibak proved himself clever and measured, and won the sultan's favor. Later, after many military victories and the death of the sultan, Aibak was proclaimed leader of the nascent Delhi Sultanate that he helped bring about. His dynasty is known as "Mamluk", meaning "slave."

Military Construction

Construct 5 Palisade Walls without using Villagers.

Rewards

• Squared Dag Banner Shape
• Fun Fact: Natural Defenses

Fun Fact: Natural Defenses

Some Indian fortresses took advantage of the local wildlife as part of their defensive strategy. Where a moat surrounded the complex, the waters could be infested with crocodiles and venomous snakes. Tangled vines and other plants might choke the surface, making the moat a deadly choice of entry for any invader.

Delhi Sultanate Novice

Win a game as the Delhi Sultanate.

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Villager Portrait
• Fun Fact: Razia Sultana

Fun Fact: Razia Sultana

Granddaughter of the first Delhi sultan, Razia was raised at court, observing the mechanisms of rule. Her father recognized her as heir, and she became the first female sultan (or sultana) of Delhi in 1236. Despite ruling competently for 3 years, not all accepted a woman in control. She was deposed and then killed as she fought to regain power, but is remembered as a rare example of female imperial rule.

An Economical Education

Spend no more than 500 Gold to produce 5 Scholars through the Dome of Faith

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Sword Portrait
• Fun Fact: Knowledge is Power

Fun Fact: Knowledge is Power

Madrasas were schools found throughout the medieval Muslim world, resulting in exceptionally high literacy rates, unrivaled since antiquity. In the Delhi Sultanate, madrasas taught not only religion and law (as in the rest of the Muslim world) but a wide range of subjects, from science and mathematics to accountancy and public administration. Their students thus gained valuable skills that enabled them to be influential members of society.

A Valiant Victory

Defeat 20 enemies with melee units affected by the tower of Victory attack increase.

Rewards

• Crescent Moon Sigil
• Fun Fact: Fight Fire With Fire

Fun Fact: Fight Fire With Fire

From the time of Genghis Khan, the Mongols and their descendants had attempted, over and over, to invade the Indian subcontinent. They repeatedly plundered northern India, including sacking Delhi in 1303, but never managed a full-scale invasion. The Delhi Sultanate had developed a strong and swift military, just as skilled as that of the Mongols. Time after time, they repelled the Mongol incursions.

The Science of Religion

Research 20 technologies in buildings influenced by Mosques or Madrasas.

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Man-At-Arms Portrait
• Fun Fact: Domes of Power

Fun Fact: Domes of Power

The domed buildings of the Delhi Sultanate were a striking sign of the advance of Muslim rule in northern India. Domes symbolized royalty, power, and a connection to the heavens. They were often used in mosques and the elaborate tombs of sultans. Great domes would soon be a common feature of Muslim-controlled cities across India.

Delhi Sultanate Apprentice

Win 2 games as the Delhi Sultanate.

Rewards

• Anvil Monument
• Fun Fact: A Thunderous Force

Fun Fact: A Thunderous Force

Medieval war elephants were akin to "living tanks". They could besiege a fortress, ramming gates and tearing down parapets. Poison-tipped swords were strapped to their tusks and maces to their trunks. Warriors riding on their backs rained down arrows from their high vantage point, making elephants a terrifying feature of armies across Eurasia.

Military Management

Produce 20 military units from buildings you have garrisoned Scholars in.

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Healer Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Refugee Scholars

Fun Fact: The Refugee Scholars

In the thirteenth century, Delhi received an unexpected influx of highly educated scholars and scribes. The Mongols had ravaged Muslim cities across Transoxiana, Persia and Iraq, and their intellectuals sought refuge under the Sultanate. In the decades that followed, Delhi saw a flourishing of cultural and scholarly activity, a blending of local and faraway medicine, and a prolific period of architectural creativity.

Stone Construction

Use your military units to construct 1000 Stone's worth of structures.

Rewards

• Curved Swords Sigil
• Fun Fact: Thwarting The Escalade Attack

Fun Fact: Thwarting The Escalade Attack

As castle designs advanced, some defensive walls were strengthened with a wide, sloping base, known as a "talus". While costly, the talus was a highly effective defence against invasion by ladder. It forced the base of the ladder further away from the wall, limiting the number of men it could hold. Attackers could then be easily picked off from above.

Protecting the Sword

Use Mosques to heal 500 total health on your units.

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Cavalier Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Sharpest Blades

Fun Fact: The Sharpest Blades

Indian wootz steel was the envy of the world. The sultanate's metal-working craftsmanship produced sharper blades than any other, and they were put to use in a large variety of fearsome weapons - from the short, curved blade of the "dashnah" dagger to the half-moon blade of the "nachakh," a battleax used especially by cavalrymen.

Delhi Sultanate Adept

Win 5 games as the Delhi Sultanate.

Rewards

• Delhi Sultanate Scholar Portrait
• Scholar Monument
• Fun Fact: Fallen Giants

Fun Fact: Fallen Giants

It was said that the medieval Delhi Sultanate wielded an army of some 3,000 war elephants. Used to terrify and trample the enemy, an effective elephant corps could decide a quick victory. But if the commander's beast fell, troops and animals alike descended into panic and were routed. Thus, war elephants were both a strength and a weakness

Military Economies

Produce 20 units from your Keeps.

Rewards

• War Elephant Portrait
• Spear Sigil
• Fun Fact: The Prolific Poet

Fun Fact: The Prolific Poet

Thirteenth-century Delhi was a cultural melting pot. From this profusion of creativity came the most celebrated poet and Sufi mystic of the era, Amir Khusrau. As the poet at court, Khusrau wrote prolifically on the great deeds of the sultans he served, and on the enduring subjects of love and loss. His works are remembered as some of the greatest contributions to Indo-Persian culture.

Towering Threats

Construct the Palace of the Sultan, produce 10 elephants, and destroy 10 enemy buildings.

Rewards

• Raiza Sultana Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Revered Beast

Fun Fact: A Revered Beast

Despite the often brutal treatment that newly captured elephants endured, many came to bond closely with their handlers. Some were known to charge into danger in order to defend their dismounted drivers in battle. Others carried their dead bodies back from the field. The most heroic and favored animals were honored in great monuments after their deaths.

Spreading the Word

Research Swiftness and then achieve a Sacred Victory.

Rewards

• Mubarak Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Fertile Jewel

Fun Fact: A Fertile Jewel

The Indian subcontinent was blessed with richly fertile lands that produced an abundance of crops. Their export brought great wealth to India. And with the arrival of Muslim rule in the north came the introduction of new agricultural technologies, which served to further boost productivity. But such enrichment would make India an irresistible target for invasion for centuries to come.

Delhi Sultanate Master

Win 10 games as the Delhi Sultanate.

Rewards

• Left Quadrant Banner Pattern
• Sultana and Elephant Monument
• Fun Fact: The Guns of Babur

Fun Fact: The Guns of Babur

The fall of the Delhi Sultanate arrived in 1526 to the sound of gunfire. The sultan's large army and 1,000 war elephants were no match for the artillery of the invading conqueror, Babur. The blasts of his cannons startled the elephants into a devastating stampede, and the last Delhi sultan died on the field. Babur became the first emperor of the new Mughal Empire.