NationStates Jolt Archive

(OCC: So far, the only in-depth information provided about the INU (actual and treaty territories), North Pakistan, and Kashmir has been military in nature, so I think its about time that I give the place a more thorough treatment historically and socially.

As pre-colonial India is not a place that I am terribly familiar with, I will start this account in 1942.)

Quit India

1942 could in many ways be described as a low point for the British Empire in Asia, having lost Malaya, Hong Kong, and Burma, with Japanese soldiers on the very doorstep of India itself. With the British in such a precarious position, the Indian National Congress saw a golden opportunity to ensure independence. Since the declaration of war in 1939, the INC had called for Indian men of military age to refuse conscription, an effort which largely succeeded. Except for a few loyal Regulars and the Communist-organized Anti-Fascist brigade, the British Army was robbed of crucial manpower reserves, and despite the best efforts of Viceroy Linlithgow the Congress's program of civil disobedience continued in the face of mass arrests and dispersals.

The INC had earlier decided to support the British war effort, but only on the condition that India would become independent in exchange for such aid. British rebuttal triggered the Quit India movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi. Most members of the Congress supported immediate home rule, but during the party's Bombay session Gandhi's non-violent faction grew increasingly alienated. It was also during the Bombay Session in late March that another faction of the INC came to light; the anti-fascists. Ideologically opposed to the German, Italian, and Japanese governments, and quite close to the British Left, they clashed with Gandhi and his supporters, advocating immediate and complete support for the British and allied cause. Eventually, thanks in large part to Linlithgow's arrest of nearly every prominent Congress member opposed to the anti-fascists, the boycott of military service was lifted and the Indian Army swelled.

The lifting of the INC's service boycott came at just the right time, Indian Army troops playing a vital part in the liberation of Burma and actions worldwide.

But the anti-fascists, for all their rhetoric, had failed in the Congress's primary objective: assuring Home Rule. While the Gelatians in the east and south had managed to squeeze a promise out of London, the INC, divided and with most of its leadership behind bars, lacked the negotiating clout. For this reason, the anti-fascists lost their standing and ceased to present much of a profile in the Congress after mid-1943.

Home Rule At Last

By the end of the war, India had largely managed to get behind the British war effort and its Commonwealth veterans were heralded by many as heroes. Many Congress members scoffed at the widespread pro-British sentiment, but even the INC begrudgingly admitted to a certain degree of short-sightedness during the dark days of 1942.

In 1945, the Tory government of Winston Churchill was voted out of office and Clement Attlee's Labour government voted in. The Labour Party proved quite willing to negotiate with the INC over independence, for both moral and practical reasons. The mountainous debt incurred by the UK during the war, coupled with a rapidly worsening European situation, gave cause for India to be cut loose in order to save on administration. It was simply too expensive to run India for much longer as anything much more than a Dominion.

Louis Mountbatten, last viceroy, began negotiations with the INC, again headed by Mahatma Gandhi and his deputy Jawaharlal Nehru, and the other various political factions in non-Gelatian India. These included the increasingly militant All-India Muslim League headed by Mohammed A. Jinnah and the similarly warlike Hindustan National Front. While both the AIML and HNF commanded major support in their core constituancies, the INC was by far the most widespread and popular political movement, its inclusive, moderate, and secular platform attracting proponents from all ethnicities and religious groups.

However, the Gelatians proved the real stumbling block. Led by Prince Llewellyn, not especially popular but powerful none the less, the Gelatians hated the INC and would not agree to share power with it. Admitting defeat, the INC leadership, Gandhi conspicuously absent, agreed to a partition of India, leaving the majority of the Indian Subcontinent, consisting of the modern-day districts of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and part of Bangladesh. This was the Indian National Union, its capital in Delhi and its Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the INC's old guard.

Maharajah Hari Singh was left in charge of an independent Kashmir, and Pasha Husayn Kemal was given Gilgit Agency. The Gelatians had the remainder of British India. Thus concluded the 1947 Partition Treaty, legally subdividing the Indian Subcontinent with the aim of, someday in the future, forging one nation out of the several.

Gandhi refused to accept the partition of India, a position growing increasingly futile as the Gelatian Kingdom tightened its grip on power in its treaty territories. But while still the unchallenged founder of the modern Indian independence movement and regarded as the father of Home Rule for his tough stance against the British, Gandhi had become something of a political nonentity, swept aside along with his loyal supporters by more "practical" left-of-center movements.

The Gelatian Threat

All of a sudden, on the 30th of January, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were killed in a car bomb in Bombay. While the perpetrators were never caught, it is and was widely believed that they were Gelatians sent by Llewellyn. Gandhi and Nehru, while thorns in the Gelatian side to begin with, were not likely targets for such a major attack, and it is most likely that Prime Minister Patel, a close associate of Gandhi, due at the same spot mere minutes later, was the real target. Some fifty people died in the bombing and their long funeral caravan snaked north to the capital, gathering saddened and enraged followers along the way.

In Delhi itself, a sinister plot was revealed during the few tense days when Patel was believed dead. The general staff of the new Indian Army, supported by the elite Parachute Regiment, was dissatisfied with the marginalization of the Army after the ascension of the INC and Patel's promises to cut defense spending. The coup d'etat was planned for the night following Patel's death, presumably with Gelatian support, but betrayed and its leaders beaten nearly to death by an angry mob. This prompted Patel to purge the military, firing and sometimes imprisoning military leaders during the rest of 1948 and early 1949.

Patel's purge ended with the total reorganization of the armed forces. The General Staff was, by 1950, composed entirely of foreign officers, the majority of these hailing from Poland and Eastern Europe, with a significant British and Commonwealth presence.

While nobody knew it at the time, if the purge of the army had come even a year later, the INU as it exists today might never have been.

But at this stage, modernization of the military was a secondary priority. Since the AIML and HNF were declared criminal by the INC-dominated Parliament, both of those organizations had managed to raise small but dangerous armed militias. In northern Uttar Pradesh, for instance, the HNF posed a constant danger, and the AIML was active throughout the predominately Muslim provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Rajasthan. These elements tried very hard to stir up violence, on both a political and ethnic level, sparking riots across the country. The Indian National Army, so-called after Patel's purge , was initially able to contain trouble when it emerged, but violence spread with an alarming rate. Worst of all was the situation in the Punjab. When an AIML militia attacked and burned a train filled with Sikh pilgrims headed to Amritsar, massive riots broke out in that city and also in Lahore. Almost the whole of the 50,000-strong INA was sent to the Punjab, marking the beginning of the period of Communal Violence which would last until the late 1960's.

Delhi Riots

In early 1949, the HNF and AIML conducted simultaneous rallies in Delhi, more or less aimed at triggering a violent clash between the opposite party. Inevitably, the two extremist parties met and nothing short of a war broke out when arms found their way into the crowd. Delhi was soon engulfed in religious violence between Hindus and Muslims and columns of refugees streamed out of the city. Patel and his cabinet were evacuated to Mumbai, stable throughout the Violence, and a new Parliament was established. The Prime Minister's government wanted to dispatch the Army to Delhi immediately, but it was only able to spare a few battalions from its counterinsurgency campaign in the Punjab.

Adding to the confusion in the former capital, several members of the old General Staff arrived at the Delhi airport before the INA had a chance to secure it, along with as many as one hundred armed followers. Producing from their chartered transport planes several Humber armored cars, the group fought its way through the streets to the old Parliament. General Sindhugosh Karam proclaimed himself Prime Minister but was killed when an AIML-inspired mob stormed the building and proclaimed M.A. Jinnah, at that time in Iran, as head of state. Eventually, a bombing raid by IAF Mosquitos, flown by Polish pilots, destroyed Parliament before Jinnah recieved word of his sudden appointment.

The southwest of India and Madhya Pradesh remained relatively calm, with local authorities able to maintain order, but massacres of civilians by armed groups were widespread in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In the Punjab, the Army slowly but steadily managed to gain the upper hand, and was able to smash the revoltists once and for all by late 1949.

The Bedgellen Invasion

Although relatively little is known about the Llewellyn Principality's most secret dealings and intelligence information to this day, it is widely believed that Llewellyn's special forces had a hand in at least the HNF, if not the AIML. It is without question that, devoid of external support, neither extremist movement would have survived very long against even the small INA. But both survived, and for long periods of time.

It is also suspected that the Bedgellens had an expansive intelligence network in the INU during its formative years, so it was not at all difficult to discern just how dire a situation the INC was faced with. With nearly the entire military preoccupied in the Punjab, it would not be difficult to launch an invasion into Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and the other more northerly provinces, now cut off from the south of the country by civil strife.

Starting in August of 1949, tension along the Bedgellen border steadily rose, with Prince Llewellyn calling for the treaty line to be pushed some 20km west in all areas to include primarily Gelatian ethnic communities, particularly in West Bengal and Bihar. On 26 November 1949, a large party of Bedgellens, believed now to have consisted of army personnel, attempted to force the border in West Bengal. A contingent of Union Border Police was ambushed and a massive firefight broke out, prompting the use of several Tempests out of Calcutta. In the process of bombing and strafing the border party, the Llewellyn government accused the INU of violating its airspace, and demanded massive concessions, mainly the mineral-rich area of Bihar today known as Jharkhand and the port of Calcutta. Mumbai outright refused the Bedgellen demands and as a result war was declared on the 10th of December, 1949.

The call for conscripts went out almost immediately and much of the standing INA was called back from its counterinsurgency campaign in the Punjab. But most of the border was only protected by lightly-armed Union Border Police and the IAF. It took the Bedgellens only about two weeks to overrun West Bengal in its entirety, the UBP units not destroyed fleeing into Bihar, which in turn fell in not much more than a week after West Bengal. In most areas, the Bedgellens, fierce warriors by nature and with plenty of experience fighting both the British and Japanese, found the UBP easy pickings and resistance, while widespread, was largely ineffectual. In the air, though, the IAF actually had a considerable superiority in tactics, training, and equipment, and managed to badly maul Llewellyn's air force before its bases were overrun by the advancing ground troops.

It took several days for Mumbai to sort out exactly what was going on, since Bedgellen jamming made radio communication difficult and the telephone lines from the regional capital in Calcutta were cut by Bedgellen inflitrators rather soon. When it did, the INA under Marshall Nikolae Brozstein was immediately shipped to the front but only arrived in time to turn a rout into something like an orderly retreat to the south and west.

The Bedgellens, benefiting from a massive superiority in numbers and experience, cut through West Bengal and Bihar with ease, and soon reached the embattled former capital of Delhi. Advancing forces then cut down to the south after deciding against crossing the Thar Desert, and reached the borders of Gujarat and Maharashtra before the INA was able to stop them. Over the course of just over a year, the Indian National Union had managed to lose over half its territory and population.

2nd Parliament And Defense Expansion

On the 15th of December, 1950, Sardar Patel passed away at 75 years of age, likely the result of a heart condition aggrivated by the extreme stress he was put under during the Invasion Crisis. Patel's death also marked the end of the office of Head of State, with cabinet ministers and ministers of government departments being directly elected and subject to the same removal provisions for MPs in the 1947 Government Act.

The Second Parliament also reinforced the Seven Points Provision, the definition of Parliament's role taken out of Gandhi's early work. (The Seven Points call for: an end to caste discrimination and untouchability, an end to violence and disenfranchisement of women, improvement in sanitation and living conditions, free public health and medical aid, improvement of public education, an end to racial and religious discrimination, and an end to poverty.)

The Ministry of Defense came out of the Second Parliament as the most powerful and independent government department, with the blessings of most Unioners, and set about building a military force capable of shattering the Bedgellen territorial hold. Clement Attlee's Labour government proved quite sympathetic and receptive to Mumbai, and sold literal mountains of military equipment to the new nation. Most of this was second world war surpus, but the MoD got ahold of some of the new Vampire fighter jets and Canberra bombers. The IN also grew exponentially, and was for a long time the largest navy in Asia. No fewer than eleven Dido-class light cruisers and five County-class heavy cruisers were bought up and used to good effect until the 1980s, along with very many destroyers.

It wasn't long before the Ministry of Defense started raiding Bedgellen shipping in the Laccadive Sea and very nearly took over the Lakshadweep and Maldives Islands. One of the most impressive raids mounted by the new IN was on Adam's Bridge between mainland Beth Gellert and Victoria & Salvador. The railway bridge was blown to bits by INS Victory, a County Class heavy cruiser, and coastal shipping was ravaged before the cruisers pulled back to base.

The INA expanded steadily until it could safely hold the border, reinforced by a constant stream of surplus British equipment, and the IAF mounted regular raids into Bedgellen-occupied India and Victoria & Salvador. By 1955, things were actually looking up for the Indian National Union, and time would tell that they were only to get better. The stage was set for the events of 1962.

Gilgit Agency in Turmoil

Husayn Kemal's first few years as Pasha of Gilgit went quite smoothly. While hardly an advocate of democracy, he was a benevolent ruler who largely stayed out of his subjects' day-to-day affairs. This all changed in 1954, when his cabinet was killed in a plane crash. Kemal replaced his cabinet advisors with military officers, the quickest solution, and within weeks they convinced him to take punitive action against Pashtun tribesmen. The Pashtu have never been very cooperative towards central authority, and the North Pakistani military was at that time very sensitive to the fact that they held control over most of the passes through the Hindu Kush and Karakoram mountains.

The Pashtu operation was a complete disaster and the Army blamed it on Pasha Kemal. Not willing to wait around for a coup, he fled to Kashmir and the protection of Hari Singh, without leaving an heir. By default, the position of head of state fell to Army Chief Of Staff Abu Muzaffar, and he immediately began to crack down on civil liberties and minority groups. For harboring the deposed Pasha Kemal, Muzaffar swore eternal animosity towards Kashmir and started a war over possession of the Chorbat La.

Although the First Chorbat War would continue, Abu Muzaffar was killed on 18 February 1956 when his An-2 flew into a mountain on the way to Peshawar. For two months after his death, the Military high command engaged in a fierce power struggle in the streets of Peshawar. Events finally boiled down to who could get more followers into the capitol, and since the Air Force never lost control of the city airfield they were able to slowly wrest control away from the various army commanders. Surprisingly enough, the Lisunov Li-2 which carried the Air Force staff from their HQ in Muzaffrabad to Peshawar crashed, killing all aboard. While no definitive study has been conducted into the cause of the accident, it is very widely believed that it was shot down.

Mustafa Shareef, the young, charismatic commander of the Fighter and Attack Wing, and the only senior officer not aboard the crashed transport, arrived in Peshawar in the cockpit of a MiG-15 and took control of the government.

First Chorbat War Concludes

Unlike future confrontations between North Pakistan and Kashmir, during the First Chorbat War (1954-1957) the Kashmiris had every advantage and pressed this to great effect. While only the North Pakistanis had jets, in this case Russian-supplied MiG-15s, at the beginning of the conflict, the Kashmiris had a vastly larger force of Sea Furies which was soon complemented by the delivery of several DeHavilland Venoms. On the ground, North Pakistan had only the most basic light tanks while the Kashmiris had new Centurions. The standards of training and equipment on the Kashmiri side were also much superior to that of the North Pakistani army, many of whose troops were either caught-up in the Peshawar street fighting or not equipped with a personal weapon.

The terrain, though, was no-one's friend, and it took two years before the Kashmiris under Hari Singh could dislodge the North Pakistanis from fortified mountain positions.

Shareef, though, was by no means satisfied and would go on to start four more wars over the same piece of ground.

Unioners Resolve Internal Troubles

In spite of the near-total lawlessness exhibited during the early years of the INU in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the INA was able to put-down the Punjabi troubles rather quickly and the remainder of the nation was mostly free from acts of inter-communal violence. The Second Parliament resolved to take a hard line against the various factional terrorist groups and for the only time in Union history executions took place within the judicial framework. The Parliametary Constabulary also came into its own as an efficient and effective law enforcement agency and had a hand in almost every arrest.

A major program of social improvements began in 1953, and while many of its key goals have yet to be achieved the 1953 Resolution did have an immediate effect on ethnic and religious relationships within the Indian National Union. Members of different religious and ethnic groups were given every chance to mix in new secular schools and at building projects, and every part of the community benefited from increased access to healthcare and clean water. By 1958, the incidence of inter-religious violence reached an all-time low and kept decreasing.

The Union Plans a Counterattack

By the late 1950s, the Indian National Army was ready to start the process of re-capturing the territory lost to the Llewellyn Principality. The Churchill, Eden, and MacMillian administrations had been much less supportive of the INU's efforts and were reluctant to sell the INU all the equipment it said it needed, but enough came into the country to allow the INA to stand on par with the Bedgellen military.

Under the direction of the INA's commander, Marshal Stanislaw Syzko, starting in late 1958 plans were drawn-up for a massive offensive, aimed at recapturing all the INU's treaty territories. The INA swelled its ranks to include well over one million men-at-arms, nearly a thousand tanks, and many hundreds of artillery pieces, while the IAF acquired all the Hunters, Venoms, and Canberras possible. The IN continued to raid up and down the Bedgellen coast, and prepared to mount a dummy amphibious assault on Victoria & Salvador. Syzko planned for the main thrust to come up and into Madhya Pradesh, cutting the Bedgellen forces in Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh off from the Principality proper and allowing troops stationed in the Punjab to finish them off. IAF air superiority would be achieved by a series of surprise attacks on Bedgellen airfields and reinforcements would be tied down by the landing of Commandos at several points on the Bedgellen coast.

By late 1961, Syzko's force was ready to undertake the operation.

The Liberation Offensive

The early morning hours of April 26th, 1962, saw INA units storm across the border with present-day Madhya Pradesh, supported by heavy artillery bombardment and air strikes into the very heart of Beth Gellert. A raid by IAF Canberras took a significant bite out of Llewellyn's navy and IN cruisers bombarded the Andamans & Nicobars as well as Victoria & Salvador. Initially, the offensive rolled quite smoothly through Madhya Pradesh, Bedgellen fighting spirit unable to match the INA's superiority in equipment. However, it proved well beyond the INA's means to exploit its furthest advances, so while the flag was raised over Delhi once again the former capital had to be abandoned soon afterword.

All in all, the Liberation Offensive was successful, in that much of what was under Bedgellen control was retaken and held, but the operation's full potential was never realised due to the extreme difficulty faced in moving the INA's extremely large manpower base to the front. By the time Syzko's main body of forces was in place, the advance had already petered-out in the face of overstretched supply lines and heavy Bedgellen resistance.

The border would stay put for the remainder of the Indo-Bedgellen War, despite efforts made by both sides. Syzko's offensive took a major bite out of the Principality's military and gave the INA the confidence that would take it through to 1989.

Llewellyn Deals With Uttar Pradesh

While Madhya Pradesh had been lost, well and truly, Uttar Pradesh, the epicenter of inter-communal strife, was still firmly in Llewellyn's hands. In addition to targeting one another, the various militant organizations operating in the state began to target the Bedgellen occupational troops. The response was characteristically brutal and decisive, and while the religious militants were smashed, possibly thousands of civilians died in the process. These harsh measures fueled a growing Maoist insurgency, now able to assert its influence with rival militant organizations destroyed.

By 1965, a new low-level conflict had come to dominate the landscape in Uttar Pradesh, as well as Bihar. The Communist Party of India (Maoist), founded in Hanoi during the late summer of 1964, opened up the Uttar Pradesh independence war with an attack on a Bedgellen garrison near the Nepalese border. While this was repulsed with heavy casualties, similar acts occurred across the province within the space of only a few months. Chinese-origin weaponry soon turned up, including mortars and light field guns, and what the Bedgellens managed to capture at the border was only a fraction of what actually got through. The reaction from Llewellyn's forces was, as usual, brutal and violent, but again this only added recruits to the Maoist cause. Within the space of a year, the Bedgellens lost control of several areas of the province and anyone of Gelatian origin faced violence and even death if caught on the streets.

In late spring 1967, the Maoists tried their first offensive on the regional capitol in Kanpur. Well over twenty thousand Maoists took part in the operation, supported by artillery and heavy machine guns, but the sheer determination and considerable prowess shown by the Bedgellen troops caused the attack to falter, its Maoist participants melting back into the countryside. Llewellyn claimed a victory and set about destroying the CPI in the same fashion as he dealt with the earlier religious militant groups. However, the CPI was far and away larger than all the religious militias combined, and included members from almost every ethnic and religious persuasion. Again, tens of thousands lost their lives as towns and villages burned and bombs rained down on the landscape, but the Bedgellen troops suffered heavy casualties and were unable to re-assert control over much of the country yet again.

On the 1st of January, 1969, the Maoists felt confident enough to launch a second major offensive, this one against the lesser administrative center of Rampur, along the railroad to Kanpur and Delhi. For the first time ever, the CPI's de facto leader was seen in public, a middle-aged Bihari named Kuhalari Thurbat. As he walked towards Rampur with a column of CPI special forces, an enterprising Hudecian reporter managed to secure an interview with the elusive Thrubat and brought the organization into the public eye.

It took two months for the CPI to capture Rampur, but thanks to heavy artillery support and the suicidal courage of the special forces brigades, the Maoists were able to secure the city and hold it against numerous Bedgellen counterattacks. Bedgellen troops would never again enter Rampur as anything but prisoners of war, and it became the jumping-off point for all further Maoist offensives into Bedgellen-held territory.

Well, this needs a tag. I'll be back, later, to read through properly.

I should warn you, it includes a lot of references to Bedgellens doing this and that, sort of a filler until you come back with what really happened. I should've specified the tenative nature of this whole thing, since a lot of what I have down might very well not have happened.

The Indian National Union (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/EmblemofIndia.png)

The Indian National Union accounts for roughly one-third of the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the more prosperous Indian nations. Once covering nearly all the Subcontinent, nearly 40 years of both civil and transnational warfare fractured the original INU into six distinct states, most of them hostile to one another. The modern-day Indian National Union is a diverse mixture of peoples and religions, held together by a mixture of agreeable social policies and minimal tolerance for sectarian violence.

Nation

Population: 319,545,112 (376,018,234?) citizens
Name (Official): Democratic Commonwealth of the Indian National Union
Name (Short Form): Indian National Union
Abbreviation: INU

Nationality: Union, Unioner, Indian

Capital: Mumbai (Bombay)

Other Major Cities: Karachi, Hyderabad, Bhopal, Ahmadabad, Quetta, Nagpur, Pune, Surat, Daman, Gwadar, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Gwalior

Government

Government Type: Parliamentary Democratic Commonwealth

Administrative Divisions: Eight provinces; Balochistan, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Sindh. One territory; Islamabad Territory. 6,391 Local Councils.

Independence: 15 August 1947, from United Kingdom, Government established 23 February 1949, Recognized by Igovian Soviet Commonwealth 1 December 1989

Executive Branch: Chief Minister of Parliament (head of state, transitional)
Cabinet (directly elected, subject to referenda)

Government Departments: Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Hospitals, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Railroads, Ministry of Finance

Legislative Branch: 6,391-member Parliament roughly representing the interests of the 6,391 Local Councils, with which soveriegn and legislative powers reside

Political Parties: While there are no legal barriers to their formation, relatively few defined parties exist. The Bharatiya Janata Party was created in the mid-1970s as a means of challenging Parliament's domestic and foreign policy, and promotes a more strictly capitalist economic program. With the Union economy growing at a sluggish rate if at all, the BJP has attracted Unioners who aren't necessarily willing to wait around for the Finance Ministry to get it together. Many Unioners accuse the BJP of promoting fascisim. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also has something of a following amongst Unioners who advocate a command economy and adherence to Marxist principles, as opposed to Mumbai's oft-conflicting jumble of ideologies.

Suffrage: 17 years of age, universal

Economy

GDP (2005): USQ 1.78 trillion
GDP Per Capita: USQ 5,623.21

Electricity Production By Source: Nuclear 37%, Fossil Fuel 32%, Hydroelectric 22%, Wind/Solar 5%, Tidal 4%

Economic Aid Donor: The Indian National Union is very generous and prides itself in its responsiveness to humanitarian crises worldwide. Nations in need of financial assistance are usually granted subsidies on equipment and economic advisors are offered freely. Like the Igovians, Unioners recognize the need for nations and peoples to stand on their own two feet and believe self-sufficiency a much better course than foreign dependancy. But Mumbai doesn't hesitate to give nations help starting out.

Natural Resources: Oil (Arabian Sea), natural gas, gypsum, limestone, chromites, iron ore, rock salt, gold, precious stones, copper, graphite, clay, coal, sulphur, silica sands

Labor Force By Occupation: Agriculture 41%, Industry 40%, Services 19%

Industries: heavy equipment, manufacturing equipment, steel, shipbuilding, aerospace, textiles, transport machinery, powerplant systems, consumer goods

Agricultural Products: cotton, soybeans, peanuts, rice, potatoes, sugarcane, tea, fruits, wheat, cattle, poultry, fish

Export Commodities: construction machinery, transport equipment, shipbuilding, aerospace equipment, consumer goods, electrical equipment, machine tools, chemicals, deuterium oxide (heavy water), cotton, tea, cereal crops

Import Commodities: oil, metal ores, coal, electronics, paper products

Important Trade Partners: Igovian Soviet Commonwealth, Spyr, Neo-Anarchos, Yugoslavia, Great Walmington, Strathdonia, African Commonwealth, South Africa, Sweden, Hudecia

Currency: Union Rupee, Elias Dinar, Quinntonian Dollar

Communication

Telephones, main lines in use: about 38 million (the telephone has never quite caught-on in the INU, where the radio continues to dominate all forms of communication)

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 241, FM 322, shortwave 18 (many foreign stations such as the BBC and Igovian programs are available as well)

Television Stations: 12 (Television, due to the difficulties involved in obtaining a set and the power requirements, is extremely rare and the only channels available are the BBC and various community stations)

International Issues

The Indian National Union is currently in the middle of an invasion of the princely state of Rajasthan, and has been threatened with war by Monarchist France. Conflict, in at least some degree, seems very likely and preparations for war have begun.

Relations with North Hindustan continue to be poor and only promise to deteriorate in light of the invasion of Rajasthan.

Illicit Drugs: Despite very liberal policies in almost every other category, Mumbai continues to strictly and closely regulate the possession and sale of narcotics. Multinational drug cartels, mainly operating out of North Pakistan and Kashmir, and with the blessing of Rajasthani sultan Walid Al-Haji, traffic poppies and finished Opium into and across the Indian National Union to Bangladesh, Roycelandian Goa, and Nepal. Drug-related crime is a major problem and the trouble caused by such smuggling rings is one of the reasons for Mumbai's invasion of Rajasthan.

Arms Trafficking: The large amounts of discarded military equipment that resulted from the end of the Indo-Bedgellen War have found ready buyers in arms dealers, who sell surplus guns, bombs, support weapons, and even aircraft and tanks throughout the region.

Provinces

Balochistan
Capital: Quetta
Area: 347,190sq.km
Geography: Dry and mountainous
Population: 7,167,554
Administrative Districts: 26
Languages: Balochi, Pashto, Persian, Urdu
Natural Resources: Coal, Natural Gas, Minerals
Economic Activity: Limited manufacturing, agriculture, mining & extraction, shipbuilding, fishing

Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Capital: Silvassa
Area: 491sq.km
Geography: Hilly and forested, very wet
Population: 220,451
Administrative Districts: 1
Languages: Gujarati, Marathi, English
Natural Resources: minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: Heavy equipment and consumer goods manufacturing

Daman & Diu
Capital: Daman
Area: 122sq.km
Geography: Daman Ganga River in Daman, Diu an island off Kathiawar Peninsula
Population: 159,059
Administrative Districts: 2
Languages: Gujarati, Marathi
Natural Resources, minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: Shipbuilding and related industries, home of UTS

Gujarat
Capital: Gandhinagar
Area: 196,024sq.km
Geography: Relatively flat, Rann of Kutch in west, Thar Desert to the north
Population: 50,596,992
Administrative Districts: 25
Languages: Gujarati
Natural Resources: oil
Economic Activity: Agriculture, oil extraction (coastal), manufacturing, aerospace equipment, shipbreaking

Madhya Pradesh
Capital: Bhopal
Area: 308,144sq.km
Geography: Hilly, Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, Narmada River
Population: 60,385,118
Administrative Districts: 48
Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Welsh
Natural Resources: limited, unexploited
Economic Activity: Agriculture, manufacturing, chemicals, transportation equipment, optics

Maharashtra
Capital: Pune
Area: 307,713sq.km
Geography: Western Ghats range, Konkan plain and Deccan plateau west and east respectively
Population: 96,752,247
Administrative Districts: 35
Languages: Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Welsh
Natural Resources: oil (offshore)
Economic Activity: Agricluture, manufacturing, machine tools, heavy equipment, shipbuilding, chemicals

Islamabad Territory
Capital: Islamabad
Area: 910sq.km
Geography: Margalla hills, 457-610m elevation
Population: 955,629
Administrative Districts: 8
Languages: Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, English
Natural Resources: limited, unexplored
Economic Activity: Manufacturing, electronics

Punjab
Capital: Lahore
Area: 205,344sq.km
Geography: Flat, many rivers and canals, farmland
Population: 79,429,701
Administrative Districts: 34
Languages: Punjabi, Urdu, Siraiki, Hindko
Natural Resources: Coal, gypsum, rock salt, silica sand, dolomite
Economic Activity: Agriculture, manufacturing, heavy equipment, machine tools, transportation equipment, electronics, mining & extraction

Rajasthan (Unincorporated)*
Capital: Jaipur (official), Jodhpur (functional)
Area: 342,236sq.km
Geography: Thar desert in western portion, hilly in south, forested and green in east
Population: 56,473,122
Administrative Districts: 32
Languages: Hindi, Rajasthani
Natural Resources: Wollastonite, jasper, zinc concentrate, fluorite gypsum, marble, asbestos, soapstone, lead concentrate, phosphate rock
Economic Activity: Agriculture, animal husbandry, mining & extraction, textiles, precision optics

Sindh
Capital: Karachi
Area: 140,914sq.km
Geography: Indus River, Thar Desert, Kirthar Mountains
Population: 33,038,773
Administrative Districts: 23
Languages: Sindhi, Urdu
Natural Resources: limited, unexploited
Economic Activity: Agriculture, manufacturing, heavy equipment, machine tools, aerospace equipment, shipbuilding, chemicals, petroleum products

Defense

Indian National Army

The Indian National Army is an all-volunteer force and has to its credit the successful defense of Nepal, the invasion of the Sakishima Islands, and the halting of the Drapoel reunification offensive at Andong. Born out of the first Indian Independent Army, the INA is largely a result of efforts made by Polish and east European officers and methods developed during the long Indo-Bedgellen War.
Recruitment: 322,750

Union Irregular Corps

Under the strategic command of the INA, the Union Irregular Corps is a part-time, all-volunteer force responsible for organizing community defense, aiding the Parliamentary Constabulary, and oftentimes operating alongside the INA in offensive operations. Most members of the UIC are military veterans, but no formal command structure exists below the Brigade and the service atmosphere is altogether much more relaxed.
Recruitment: 353,820

Indian Air Force

The IAF is an experienced and well-trained air arm, with a diverse range of capabilities and modern aircraft (although not as many as it would like). Some 357 combat aircraft, 280 helicopters, 91 transports, and 200 trainers are on register. One notable aspect of the IAF is its focus on operating from poor-quality airfields to defend against pre-emptive air or missile attack, and as a result all the IAF's combat aircraft and helicopters, and most of its transports, are optimized for very primitive facilities.
Recruitment: 71,275

Indian Air Force Auxiliary

The IAuxAF is the IAF's part-time component, made up entirely of volunteers and usually deployed in areas deemed less prone to trouble or less prone to skilled adversaries. Most IAuxAF pilots are former IAF fliers, and some fly airliners for work. IAuxAF squadrons regularly work in conjunction with the Parliamentary Constabulary and the Union Irregular Corps. 85 combat aircraft, 23 helicopters, and 42 transports are on register.
Recruitment: 19,562

Indian Navy

The IN is unique in that its part-time and full-time components are fully blended. Like the IAF and INA, it is an experienced and skillfully-led force, if a bit short on modern warships and on funding. The IN deserves much of the credit for ensuring the Indian National Union's survival, through its highly successful campaign against Bedgellen coastal shipping. One escort carrier, one cruiser, 14 frigates, 4 destroyers, 8 submarines, 14 minesweepers, 16 corvettes, and 12 missile boats form the IN's combat strength.
Recruitment: 85,039

*Rajasthan presents no small problem, in that, while its citizens have almost entirely rejected the Sultan, they do not necessarily embrace Union values, nor are they all willing to accept re-incorporation. The formation of district parliaments is underway, and so far the Mumbai-aligned INC(R) has attracted the most widespread support, but the process in Jaipur, Churu, and Sikar districts looks likely to face considerable opposition.

((Very nice. Always good to realise that one's nation is out-numbered to the tune of several hundred percent by a single state in another's domain, especially when said domain isn't even one of the two biggest on its continent!))

Great Walmington in the C21st remains an enthusiastic supporter of the Indian National Union, with some political commentators in the Constitutional Monarchy daring to suggest that Mumbai, concerned by Walmingtonian suspicion of the INU's links to the Soviets, launched its military campaign in Rajasthan primarily to retain their nation's favour by confronting elements associated with the -duh duh duhn- Catholic conspiracy.

Truthfully, His Walmingtonian Majesty's government is elated by the sub-continent's engagement in such squabbles, as it is much in the nation's interests to persist in portrayal of the Unioners as a good bunch fighting on the right side: Walmington consumes some way over four billion servings of tea every year, and, since 1989, has relied upon the INU for very near all of the required leaves.

Relying mostly on export of paper goods and some publishing enterprises, along with hopeful attempts to supply some of India's radio needs, to aquire Hindustani currency, the Whig government has resolved also to attempt limited coal exports to the INU in part of a controversial plan to redesign the ancient Walmingtonian power-generation and distribution grid. Starting to export small quantities of coal, rather than burning them, Great Walmington has made tentative mention of its hydropower potential and the INU.

"...Well, they do have a lot of big rivers" said one Parliamentarian of the Indians, defending the government's position on considering INU help in initiating such methods of power-generation in WoS against the a common perception of such non-Anglo-Saxons as -though friendly- somehow unworthy of taking a senior role in any such exhanges with Walmington.

The Indian National Union is of course more than happy to supply its friends to the south with all the tea it can down (although Kerala, India's Tea Capital, is in the Igovian Soviet Commonwealth and probably off-limits to Walmington).

After hearing talk, perhaps serious and perhaps not, of a need in Walmington-On-Sea for more modern defense goods, the MoD spots a chance to offload some of its more recent surplus equipment and get it away from the all-encompassing hands of the arms smugglers. Most of what the INU has to offer is aircraft; the HAL-modified Hunter FGA.10 on the high end of the performance spectrum and the Jet Provost, modified to take heavier payloads and wired for the AIM-9B, on the lower end.

Mumbai is also quite welcome to the idea of helping the Walmingtonians with their hydroelectric initiatives. Unioners have plenty of experience with dams, and they even helped build a large one in Oman not long ago (back in the Al-Ahzad days). In the sprit of generosity, Mumabi expresses its will to subsidize much of the cost of a dam, and also offers to send its own engineers to teach Walmingtonians should they require instruction. As for coal, the INU gets most of it from just across the border in Beth Gellert, from Jharkhand, which was for a few years supposed to be Mumbai's money-making slice of land, but Mumbai indicates a willingness to buy small amounts of Walmingtonian coal anyway, again in the spirit of generosity. True, the INU's hospitality coffers have a very real and very solid bottom, and Parliament has come closer and closer to that level, but the coal acquisition in question doesn't seem like it will be overly expensive.

The Walmingtonian Defence Ministry expresses interest in Hunters, possibly under pressure from Swallow Bank House (the PM's residence) to have Walmington -which, after all, has a stronger economy, proportionally speaking- pull its weight in relations with the Indians.

The RWAF today continues to fly a version of the EE Lightning called Hussar, officially, though it is normally referred to as Lightning, in the intercept role; very ancient early-mark Hunters in the attack role, though these have become close to unsafe after decades of use and non-use; and the RWN flies locally-modified Sea Vixen, called Ultra Tern officially, as a shore-based maritime attacker, along-side Gannet-related ASuW and AEW aircraft (the Walmingtonian aerial anti-ship tactic is still very much a fly-at-them-and-drop-bombs affair). Both branches train aboard Gnats that have undergone modification not unlike that which lead to the Ajeet. There is also Bomber Command's handful of more impressive Wychwood Partridge bombers.

Defence Ministry spokesmen have agreed that it may make sense for Walmington to use similar aircraft as both an Air Force attacker and point-defence fighter, and a Navy strike fighter. Walmingtonian firms Stockley Motors and Wychwood Automation are being engaged by the government in a round of rearmament that may leave the RWAF and RWN with some one-hundred and fifty armed jets- HAL is being looked-at as the primary foreign help in a number of speculative projects, especially in light of Walmington's uneasy regard of the might of BAE relative to the smaller British firms that the nation liked to work with in the past.

In light of rapidly growing tensions and a need to protect the colonies, WoS may attempt to acquire several FGA.10 Hunters as a stop-gap at least, and is pursuing further information on the machines.

Beyond that is a need to upgrade and refurbish AEW and ASuW machines; update the half-century-old Wychwood Rascal IR-guided AAM, which presently has only rear-aspect capability; extend the range of the almost equally old Chaspot Aeronautic Rhubarb semi-active radar guided missile; and two rather more ambitious projects...

Wychwood has caught the PM's ear with talk of a variable-geometry Lightning and has already made a wooden mock-up of something resembling the Folland FO.148, a distant relative of the Gnat for training, attack, and intercept duty all in one.

((I could ramble on about this forever, I'll take it off to a new thread specifically for WoS's unorthodox attempts at rearmament, if HAL's interested in helping out))

Hindustani experts are to be welcomed in Walmington as hydroelectrical power generation planning gets under way, and several hundred thousand pounds (Walmingtonian) are made available to assess the nation's resources and the sort of projects that would befit Walmington.

Most Unioners heartily approve of the Walmingtonians' choice of airplanes, with the exception of the Folland Gnat, which most concerned with military matters consider "uselessly small."

The IAF still has several of its super-F.53 Lightnings, locally known as F.8, in flightworthy condition and quite a few more not far away from that. The F.8 Lightning has an improved radar, with about 50km range against fighter-sized targets and look-down capability, and is wired to carry the Python 3 or Derby AAM in place of the Red Top.

Hunter FGA.10s are similarly a cut above the original, and incorperate many of the modifications applied to Swiss machines. Namely; the FGA.10 can launch PGMs like the Brimstone, AGM-65, and AS.30, fire all manner of AAMs, and has a Spey in place of its original Avon.

HAL would of course be glad to help Walmington pursue its home-grown aeronautics programs further.

Nuclear Power In the INU

Nuclear Power has increasingly come to be seen as the most practical alternative to heavily-polluting coal fired powerplants, and even less damaging than the often ecologically disastrous hydroelectric power stations. Parliament's long-range plans call for enough fission reactors to be built within the next twenty years so as to completely cut-out coal and gasoline from power generation. This will hopefully cover the time it takes to develop viable fusion powerplants, research into which dominates the priorities of most Union colleges.

The first nuclear reactor to be built in the Indian National Union was Mumbai Technical Institute's Indian Deuterium Uranium Reactor. It was finished in 1971, and its success was in large part due to Hudecian help. As its name suggests, the IDUR was based very heavily on the Hudecian CANDU (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANDU) reactor, since the INU could not and cannot afford to enrich uranium. The first IDUR reactor used for electricity generation was built outside Hyderabad in 1972, and since then another twenty have been built. CANDU-type reactors like the IDUR series are logical choices for less-industrialized nations, since they offer wonderful flexibility in terms of fuel and negate the need for expensive enrichment facilities, although the cost of the heavy water moderator can be a headache.

Mumbai is firmly committed to a long-term approach to electricity generation, and the cornerstone of this plan is Nuclear Fusion. Mumbai Technical Institute currently operates the Indian Expermiental Tokamak, a research reactor that takes up most of the Institute's time and money.

The Rajasthan Situation

With the invasion of Rajasthan coming to a close, Mumbai faces the considerable task of re-incorporating the state into the Indian National Union. Few expect this to be an easy affair, since it is widely believed that the Sultan's secret police still exist in force and are prepared to conduct a protracted guerilla war against the INA, but as is the case with most things Parliament has a plan.

The INU can already count on the support of much of the Rajasthani populace, especially those living near the border, as many people in that situation barely ceased to be Union citizens, regularly crossing the frontier and often becoming members in absentia of local councils. The Thar Desert Nomads, courted extremely successfully by the Union Irregular Corps, are also firmly on Mumbai's side and contributed heavily to INA operations during the invasion. And despite French efforts at building a support base for the Sultan, it proved for them impossible to erase nearly fifty years of corruption and neglect with a farcical white book. However, the Principality's long presence in the State, coupled with Walid al-Haji's French advisors, helped sow the seeds of violent anticommunism, and it is not hard to find anti-Bedgellen sentiments anywhere on the Subcontinent.

bump

I'll have an article on the Hindustan Ambassador up in a bit.

The Ambassador: India's Car

The Indian National Union has never been big on cars, in part because of the cost involved in obtaining one, in part because of the horrible condition of most roads, and in part because of the quite adequate public transportation system. However, it soon became clear that the steadily decreasing supply of British vehicles would become a problem with regards to intermediate-distance transportation. So, despite the relative lack of demand for an automobile, Parliament commissioned the development and construction of the Ambassador, intended to be a one-size-fits-all solution to India's automobile needs for the rest of forever, if it comes to that.

Hindustan Motors, the company created for the task, based the design off the contemporary Morris Oxford after having obtained construction drawings. The Ambassador's designers took the Oxford's basic layout and added a more robust suspension, necessary in order to cope with very poor roads.

Ambassadors first appeared in 1960, and remain in limited production. They see use as taxicabs, diplomatic transports, and pursuit cars for the Parliamentary Constabulary. The Ambassador has also been vigorously marketed overseas, although Japanese vehicles have largely stolen its thunder. Ambassadors are fairly well-liked, due mostly to their excellent mechanical reliability and long life, and according to recent studies some 32% of 1960-1964 Ambassadors are still on the road. Models are designated by their year of design, and so far the following have been produced:

Model 1960: Basic estate, with a 40bhp two-stroke petrol engine, leaf-sprung suspension
Model 1961: Basic saloon, slightly longer than the Model 1960 and with four doors, otherwise indistinguishable
Model 1973: Diesel-powered estate and saloon, equipped with air conditioning
Model 1992: Uprated diesel, in-car tape deck and radio
Model 1995: Softened suspension, intended for off-road use, few built

Most Ambassadors today are Model 1973s or Model 1992s, or Model 1960/1961s with upgrades. Two engine types are available, the Mahindra E5D developping 56bhp and the Mahindra E8D developping 75bhp, both water-cooled and both diesels. Older Ambassadors are powered by the A1A, Mahindra's first domestically designed and produced automobile engine, or the BMC B-Series I4. All cars have front-wheel drive, with torsion-bar suspension on the front axle and semi-elliptical leaf springs on the rear axel. Both axles have telescoping hydraulic shock absorbers.

A 12V, 55Amp/hour battery powers the headlights and optional tape deck, and it is possible to wire a small fan to the battery as well to offset the absence of air conditioning. Steering is helical rack & pinion and turning radius is 5.4 meters. About 5,200 Ambassadors have been produced, and they can be purchased direct from Union (ex-Hindustan) Motors for about 7,400 USQ new-built.

An Ambassador used by the Railways Commission in Mumbai (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/IMGP0134.JPG)

The Islamic Republic of North Pakistan (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/75/Pakistan_emblem.jpg)

The Islamic Republic of North Pakistan accounts for the northwestern-most end of the Indian Subcontinent, hemmed-in by the Hindu-Kush to the west and the Karakoram Range to the north. Despite its diminutive size and geographical isolation, North Pakistan manages to maintain a large and well-equipped military with an eye on both Afghanistan and Kashmir.

Nation
Population: 26,385,975 citizens
Name (Official): Islamic Republic of North Pakistan
Name (Short Form): North Pakistan
Abbreviation: IRNP

Nationality: North Pakistani, Pakistani

Capital: Peshawar

Other Major Cities: Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, Chitral, Mardan

Government
Government Type: Federal Republic officially, Military Dictatorship in practice

Administrative Divisions: 4 Provinces, 45 Agencies

Independence: 3 September 1947, from United Kingdom

Executive Branch: President Mustafa Shareef (Head of State)
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz
Foreign Minister Ismail Hannu
Minister of the Interior Akhram Durrani
Minister of Justice Khalil Habib
Minister of Education Khan Ali Durgah
Minister of Finance Faisal Khattak
Minister of Commerce Abdul Nazimuddin
Minister of Defense Jamir Ul-Haq
Minister of Health Jehangir Qureshi

Legislative Branch: 90-seat Parliament, but since all soveriegn powers are vested in the presidency and political parties are banned it acts in a solely advisory capacity

Suffrage: 20 years, universal

Economy
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): 52.1 Billion USQ
GDP (Per Capita): 1,974 USQ

Electricity Production By Source: 68% hydroelectric, 32% coal*

Economic Aid Donor: North Pakistan, while exceedingly stingy with its national budget, does send small amounts of money overseas, mainly to Al Khali leader Omar Qottar.

Natural Resources: limited, unexplored

Labor Force by Occupation: Agriculture 78%, Industry 14%, Services 8%

Industries: Agricultural equipment, transportation equipment, textiles, consumer goods, firearms

Agricultural Products: Cereal grains, poppies

Export Commodities: Narcotics**, firearms***, textiles, transportation equipment

Import Commodities: Electricity, electronics, heavy machinery, oil, metals, coal, paper products, communications equipment, defense equipment

Important Trade Partners: United Elias, Depkazia, Iran, China

Currency: North Pakistani Rupee, Elias Dinar

Communication[/i]

Telephones, Main Lines in Use: 1,098,000

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 42, FM 21 (many stations, both foreign and domestic, are jammed by the government, but can be recieved in certain areas)

Television Stations: 5 (sattelite TV is most common amongst those who own television sets to begin with)

[b]International Issues

North Pakistani relations with Kashmir remain balanced on the brink of war and show no signs of improving. On-and-off fighting continues on the border, and airstrikes on the respective capitals are common and regular.

In conjunction with Depkazia, North Pakistan has invaded a portion of the Wakhan Corridor, part of Afghanistan, levelling the village of Sarhadd in the process. It is not clear as to whether North Pakistan will mount operations in any other part of the country, and just exactly how the corridor will be divided is unclear.

The Indian National Union continues to block sea access, thus restricting international commerce and stifling economic growth.

Illicit Drugs: North Pakistan is the point of origin for much of the opium and heroin circulated and sold throughout the Indian Subcontinent, and the government has so far proven incapable, some say unwilling, to crack down on drug production.

Arms Trafficking: North Pakistan is one of the world's leading sources of small arms and a crossroads for the movement of weaponry from the former Soviet Bloc into the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. North Pakistani craftsmen also produce their own copies of the Sten and Ak-47. As is the case with illicit drugs, the government is either unable or unwilling to crack down.

Provinces

Northwest Province/Capital Province
Capital: Peshawar
Area: 74,521sq.km
Geography: Dry, mountainous in north, forests in south, considerable seismic activity
Population: 19,343,242
Administrative Districts: 24
Languages: Pashto, Hindko, Persian, Khowar
Natural Resources: minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: agriculture, transportation, textiles, tourism, firearms manufacturing

Azad Kashmir
Capital: Muzaffarabad
Area: 13,297sq.km
Geography: Dry and mountainous
Population: 3,965,999
Administrative Districts: 8
Languages: Urdu, Hindko, Potwar, Punjabi, Pashto
Natural Resources: minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: agriculture, tourism (limited), firearms manufacturing

Gilgit-Baltistan
Capital: Gilgit
Area: 72,496sq.km
Geography: Mountanious, Hindu-Kush, Karakoram ranges, Nanga Parbat and Mount Godwin-Austen
Population: unknown, around 1,500,000
Administrative Districts: 6
Languages: Urdu, Pashto, Shina, Balti, Wakhi, Burushaski
Economic Activity: Agriculture, tourism, transportation

Border Agencies
Capital: Thal
Area: 27,220sq.km
Geography: Dry, mountainous
Population: 3,138,000
Administrative Districts: 7
Languages: Pashto
Economic Activity: Agriculture, firearms manufacturing

Defense

North Pakistani Federal Army

The NPFA is a large force made up primarily of conscripts, and is currently deployed along the border with Kashmir and the Wakhan Corridor. Federal Army troops are somewhat poorly-trained and not at all well equipped, but a numerical advantage usually serves to offset Kashmiri skill in battle. The NPFA operates one armored division, equipped with T-62s and BMP-1s, but most of its units are unmotorized.
Recruitment: 110,200

North Pakistani Air Force

The NPAF gets the lion's share of funding and equipment thanks to the fact that Shareef himself started out as a fighter pilot. It is very well-equipped, especially when compared to the Kashmiri Air Force, and its pilots are generally competent and able. Su-25s form the backbone of the NPAF, and constitute what is locally one of the most potent attack forces, and Su-22s fly in the prescision strike/interdiction role. Ex-Elian MiG-29As have also been recieved, giving Shareef's airforce a considerable air defense capability.
Recruitment: 23,116

Special Service Group

The SSG is North Pakistan's special forces unit, trained in a wide range of tasks and modes of employment. While most of the SSG is used as light infantry to complement the Federal Army's generally poor commanders and lack of flexibility, long-range reconaissance and sabotage troops exist and its members are trained in parachute insertion.
Recruitment: 7,800

Inter-Services Intelligence

Serving the dual roles of foreign intelligence service and domestic secret police, the ISI is easily the most feared organization in North Pakistan. It has proven its competence time and again in thwarting attempts on Shareef's life, and maintains a large spy ring in Kashmir. The ISI's methods in dealing with internal dissent are particularly blunt and brutal, with the car bomb the preferred method of extra-judicial execution. The ISI also oversees the operation of several prisons high in the Karakoram Range, reserved for political dissidents and criminals considered particularly dangerous by Shareef.
Recruitment: 12,000

*Most of North Pakistan is still without electricity, the only areas connected to the national grid being large cities and military bases.
**While technically illegal, neither the ISI nor the Federal Police make any serious effort to curtail the drug trade. Profits made from the production of opium and heroin keep North Hindustan afloat, and Shareef himself draws a considerable portion of his income from the drug trade.
***Technically illegal, the arms trade is a major economic activity and puts money in very many pockets, Shareef's included. Neither the ISI nor the Federal Police make any serious effort to crack down on arms traffickers and in fact get much of their own arsenals from the black market.

The People's Democratic Republic of Bihar (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Hammer_and_sickle.svg)

Densely-populated Bihar faces a mountain of problems, ranging from economic failure to desperate poverty to widespread corruption. With Bedgellen support cut-off since 1989 and sea access blocked, Bihar's prospects do not look bright. The secession of Jharkhand and its subsequent absorbtion into the 3rd Commonwealth has robbed already dirt-poor Bihar of its most important source of national income.

Nation
Population: 82,878,796 citizens
Name (Official): People's Democratic Republic of Bihar
Name (Short Form): Bihar
Abbreviation: PDRB

Nationality: Bihari

Capital: Patna

Other Major Cities: Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Nalanda, Rajgir, Madhbubani

Government
Government Type: Single-Party Socialist Republic

Administrative Divisions: 9 Regions, 37 Districts

Independence: 15 August 1947 from United Kingdom, 8 October 1979 from Beth Gellert

Executive Branch: General Secretary Gopalkrishna Patel (head of state)
Deputy Secretary Subharyman Nagir
People's Commisar of Foreign Affairs Chandra Panini
People's Commisar of Internal Affairs Ramvirkish Devi
People's Commisar for Defense Prakash Jawal
People's Commisar for Justice Mahendra Singh
People's Commisar of State Planning Gorakh Karim
People's Commisar for Eductation Yashwant Chandran
People's Commisar for Health Kuer Vanjir

Legislative Branch: 37-seat Presidium, open only to members of the Bihari People's Party

Suffrage: 18 years, Bihari People's Party members

Economy
Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing Power Parity): 8,211,000,000 USQ
GDP Per Capita: 99.07 USQ

Electricity Production by Source: 94% Coal, 6% hydroelectric*

Economic Aid Donor: Bihar, lacking even close to enough money to run itself, does not send any worthwhile amount overseas, but the government in Patna has provided extremely limited funding to Maoist groups in Southeast Asia.

Labor Force by Occupation: Agriculture 74%, Industry 6%, Services 20%

Industries: Textiles, food processing

Agricultural Products: Sugar, vegetable oil, dairy products

Imported Commodities: Motorized equipment of any kind, electronics, metals, oil, raw materials, chemicals, paper products

Exported Commodities: Processed foods, dairy products, sugarcane, textiles

Important Trade Partners: Nepal, Assam, China

Currency: Bihari Rupee

Communication

Telephones, main lines in use: 12,455,000

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 103, FM 46

Television Broadcast Stations: 10

International Issues

Bihar continues to claim soveriegnty over Jharkhand and faces economic collapse in the wake of its secession. Beth Gellert is therefore held in a very bad light.

Much of the opium and heroin produced in North Pakistan, Kashmir, and Afghanistan is marketed in Bihar. The Bihari government has accused border authorities in North Hindustan of complicity with drug traffickers and has threatened to close the border should nothing be done about it. This is unlikely to make a difference, and the black market in all its manifestations controls almost the whole of the Bihari economy.

Divisions

Patna Division
Capital: Patna
Administrative Districts: 6

Tirhut Division
Capital: Muzaffarpur
Administrative Districts: 6

Saran Division
Capital: Chapra
Administrative Districts: 3

Darbhanga Division
Capital: Darbhanga
Administrative Districts: 4

Kosi Division
Capital: Saharsa
Administrative Districts: 4

Purnia Division
Capital: Purnea
Administrative Districts: 4

Bhagalpur Division
Capital: Bhagalpur
Administrative Districts: 3

Munger Division
Capital: Munger
Administrative Districts: 5

Magadh Division
Capital: Gaya
Administrative Districts: 5

Defense

People's Liberation Army of Bihar

The PLA-B is, as should be expected, extremely poorly equipped and to a very large extent untrained. Much of the army goes without pay for considerable lengths of time and desertion is rampant, but the supply of conscripts is large and steady. The PLA-B lacks much in the way of heavy equipment, but does operate around 300 T-62 tanks and another 400 or so BMP-2s. And what the PLA-B lacks in heavy equipment, it more than makes up for in numbers and basic equipment.
Recruitment: 453,300

People's Liberation Army Air Force of Bihar

Another sparsely-funded and horribly-equipped part of the Bihari defense establishment, and technically the PLA's aviation branch, the PLAAF-B flies a handful of aircraft and operates some SAM batteries. Only one squadron currently operates a fighter type, the MiG-19, and three others fly attack-configured L-29s. Other aircraft holdings include a pair of HS-748s for VIP use, plenty of An-24s and An-14s, and a handful of Mi-8s.
Recruitment: 15,201

*Most of Bihar remains without electricity, and an acute lack of funds makes additional efforts at stringing power lines impossible.

The Kingdom of Sikkim (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0b/Sikkimflag.svg)

Tiny Sikkim is and has always been one of India's most prosperous and stable states, with a generally content and peaceful population in the care of a capable and understanding ruler. In addition to being India's only Buddhist-majority nation, Sikkim is home to the rare Himalayan Black Bear and a large number of Buddhist monasteries, many of them playing host to expatriate monks from Tibet.

Nation
Population: 540,493
Name (Official): The Kingdom of Sikkim
Name (Short Form): Sikkim
Abbreviation: KoS

Nationality: Sikkimese

Capital: Gangtok

Other Major Cities: Mangan, Geyzing, Namchi

Government
Government Type: Constitutional Monarchy

Administrative Divisions: 4 Districts

Independence: 15 August 1947, from United Kingdom

Executive: King Wangchuck Namgyal (Head of State)
Prime Minister Vikram Rama Chamling
Foreign Minister Nar Bahadrali
Minister of the Interior Rao Sangram
Minister of Health Hawat Kumar
Minister of Tourism Tensung Gowal
Minister of Justice Nawal Kohat

Legislative: National Council, 16 seats, unicameral*

Suffrage: 18 years, male

Economy
GDP (PPP): 478,532,688 USQ
GDP (Per Capita): 855.36 USQ

Electricity Production by Source: Hydroelectric 41%, Coal 23%, Imported 36%

Economic Aid Donor: Sikkim does not donate any significant amount of money

Natural Resources: Copper, dolomite, limestone, graphite, mica, iron, coal

Labor Force by Occupation: Agriculture 81%, Industry 8%, Services 11%

Industries: Brewing, distilling, tanning, watch-making, mining

Agricultural Products: Cardamom, oranges, apples, tea, orchids, rice

Imported Commodities: Transportation equipment, electronics, chemicals, metals, electrical equipment, heavy machinery, paper products

Exported Commodities: Tea, fruits, minerals, watches, leather, alcoholic beverages, rice

Important Trade Partners: China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Assam

Currency: Sikkimese Rupee

Communication
Telephone Main Lines in Use: 98,432

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 5, FM 2

Television Broadcast Stations: 1

International Issues

Although Sikkim has a good relationship with all its neighbors, the Sikkimese monarchy fears, understandably, Bedgellen and Nepali influence and is worried that domestic anti-monarchy factions will be emboldened through support from either the third commonwealth or Kathmandu.

Illicit Drugs: Drug smuggling is a problem faced by almost every nation on the Indian subcontinent, and Sikkim is particularly poorly-equipped to deal with the financial and military clout of the major cartels. Sikkim faces an added disadvantage in that it is one of the relatively few nations where the government bothers to crack-down on the drug trade, and is therefore obliged to face the problem and cannot take anything from it.

Administrative Districts

East Sikkim
Capital: Gangtok
Area: 964sq.km
Geography: Mountainous, wet
Population: 244,790

North Sikkim
Capital: Mangan
Area:
Geography: Mountainous, Kanchenjanga mountain
Population:

South Sikkim
Capital: Namchi
Area:
Geography: Mountainous, 400-2,000m above sea level
Population:

West Sikkim
Capital: Geyzing
Area:
Geography: Hilly, forested
Population:

Defense

Royal Sikkimese Armed Police

The closest thing Sikkim has to an army, the RSAP is mostly concerned with smuggling and spends most of its time on the border. It is an all-proffessional force with very little heavy equipment, and conducts itself very well. A detachment of the RSAP serves as the King's bodyguard, and another unit is trained in antiterrorist tactics.
Recruitment: 5,633

Royal Sikkimese Armed Police Air Corps

The RSAPAC is, as its name suggests, the air component of the Royal Sikkimese Armed Police, and flies border patrol and rescue missions. The RSAPAC is not a very big force by any stretch of the imagination, with three Harbin Y-12 light transports and another two Alouette IIIs from Gangtok
Recruitment: 206

*Political parties are banned in Sikkim by Royal degree, and the Monarchy has the power to override legislation introduced by the National Council.

Union Defense Force

Structure

The Union Defense Force is an all-volunteer military that includes the Indian National Army, Union Irregular Corps, Indian Air Force, Indian Air Force Auxiliary, and Indian Navy. It prides itself on proffessionalism and honorable conduct, perhaps moreso than its European counterparts, and boasts one of the best records when it comes to civilian-military interactions.

Union Defense Force officers are elected by the local councils from where they came, and are generally forced to come up through the ranks before being eligible for officer selection. The Ministry of Defense, made up of sixty ministers elected from the districts, oversees military funding and procurement, and is responsible for strategic planning.

Composition

The modern UDF was created in 1949 when the Royal Indian Army was destroyed by Parliament after plotting a coup. Several expatriate generals from the west, mainly Polish, reorganized what was then the Parliamentary Guard into a highly effective and well-ordered fighting force.

Not all Unioners are obliged to serve with the Union Defense Force in peacetime, although conscription has existed in the past and will probably exist again. Generally, the UDF prefers to take a wide pool of recruits and choose from them the most able, through a selection process somewhat more demanding than that which exists in the west. There is, though, a large pool of part-time servicemen and women in the Union Irregular Corps and Indian Air Force Auxiliary, who serve with local units and who aren't usually required to dedicate the full amount of time to the UDF. Even though tank driver, pilot, helmsman, missile technician, and radar operator all require significant amounts of training, it takes none to push a helicopter from one end of an airfield to the other, and very little to work the bolt action of an SMLE. Many of those in part-time service were once members of the full-time UDF, and bring with them vital experience and expertise.

Indian National Army

Formed by Field Marshal Isaac Syzko in 1949, the INA is the UDF's proffessional ground army, and has seen action constantly since its founding. While not the same kind of military-civilian blend as the Commonwealth Militia, the INA's elected officer corps keep its interests and Unioners' interests one and the same.

Thanks to its full-time status, it gets the newest equipment and best support, and while the INA lags behind other armies in some areas it is sufficiently well equipped and is never in need. INA troops are well-trained and tested in large-scale, combined arms excersizes at least once a year meant to keep them at the highest state of operational readiness. This has come in handy before, the invasion of Rajasthan being a prime example where Union troops were ready to conduct combat operations within weeks of the start date.

The INA is organized into three fronts; The Army of the Chambal, The Army of the Indus, and The Army of the Godavari.

Union Irregular Corps

The UIC is the MoD's attempt at a community defense scheme, considerably more organized than the Commonwealth Militia Auxiliary but with expectations much relaxed in comparison to the Indian National Army. Irregulars are given military-grade training, although this usually does not go into quite the same depth as INA training and selection. Irregulars are organized into Brigades of usually 5,000 troops, led by an elected Brigadier, almost always with experience in the regular army. Each Brigade has access to plenty of small arms and a few artillery pieces, as well as a transport squadron consisting more often than not of converted civilian vehicles. Some Brigades even maintain armored squadrons, and these are usually equipped with INA-surplus armored cars and sometimes tanks.

Irregulars are used to support the INA wherever possible, when their knowledge of the local terrain or other helpful skills come in handy. In time of war, UIC formations are under the overall command of the INA Front commander, and are employed essentially as regular army units. UIC troopers are also regularly used to support the Parliamentary Constabulary in anti-smuggling or internal security operations.

Indian Air Force

The IAF is the smallest of all the UDF's organizations, and maintains a respectable fleet of more or less modern combat aircraft, helicopters, and transports. The Indian Air Force is one of the more experienced air arms on the planet, with battle honours as recent as the Malacca War and the Sino-Nepalese War, and counts this as an advantage over the numerically superior and often technologically superior French, Spanish, and Russian air forces. High standards of training and combat readiness are maintained throughout the service. Next to the Commonwealth Air Guard, the Indian Air Force is quite small, boasting not much over 750 front-line aircraft of all types, and lacks such important pieces of equipment as tankers and UAVs.

Indian Air Force Auxiliary

As the IAF's part-time complement, the IAuxAF benefits from quite high standards of training and equipment and is generally an efficient and effective service, a formidable combat force in its own right. Most of its pilots are retired IAF fliers, while others work with non-military air carriers, but most of the ground support personnel have no military experience.

The IAuxAF operates a respectable force of fighter-bombers, helicopters, transports and trainers, and these are usually deployed in support of Union Irregular Corps contingents.

Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the UDF's most often-used organization and has a relatiely long and rich history to look back on. Although it suffers from a reliance on largely outdated, Walmingtonian-surplus hulls, and doesn't have the numbers to compete with most other navies on its own, the IN is very well-trained and its operational readiness is tested and improved through combined-arms excersizes at least once a year as well as constant international deployments.

The IN operates a formidable force of surface warships including a pair of aircraft carriers and a cruiser, and can effectively challenge most European navies in the Indian Ocean if nowhere else on its own. The surface fleet is also supported by a fairly large Fleet Air Arm, and while its equipment is far from modern in most areas and it lacks a great many patrol aircraft, its standards of training and maintainance are quite high.

Compared to the navies with which the IN is now at war, Mumbai doesn't have a whole lot of advantages to fall back on. Besides the cruiser-killing BrahMos, perhaps the world's best anti-ship missile and more than equal to anything coming out of the west, the IN can't depend on numbers or to a great extent technology. By fighting with allied fleets wherever possible, and by engaging French warships well outside of their own missile envelopes, the IN hopes to offset the enemy advantage in numbers and armor.

Unlike other services, the IN does not separate its full-time and part-time components.

Strength and Equipment Overview

Indian National Army: 322,750
Union Irregular Corps: 353,820
Indian Air Force: 71,275
Indian Air Force Auxiliary: 19,562
Indian Navy: 85,039

INA Equipment

Individual Weapons
-Type 27 Blast/Fragmentation Grenade
-7.62x51mm L1A1/FN-FAL Assault Rifle
-6.5mm Ishapore INSAS-1 Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm Bren L4A4 LMG
-6.5mm Ishapore INSAS-3 LMG
-9x19mm Sterling L2A3 SMG
-9.3x21mm BRES Weasel SMG
-9x19mm Browning L9A1 Automatic Pistol
-9.3x21mm Dag D41 Automatic Pistol

Crew-Served and Other Weapons
-7.62x51mm L7A2/FN-MAG MG
-12.7x108mm NSV HMG
-14.5x114mm KPV HMG
-Melghat M.82 82mm Mortar
-Melghat M.51 51mm Mortar
-Melghat RPG-7I Anti-Tank Rocket
-7,300 AT.18 Guided Anti-Tank Rocket Posts
-3,400 AT.40 Guided Anti-Tank Rocket Posts
-Melghat SPG-9I 73mm Recoilless Rifle

Tanks
-200 MT-3 Hotan MBTs
-830 MT-2 Nag MBTs (400 on order)
-1,200 FV101/107 Light Tanks

Armored Infantry Carriers
-682 IC.3 Tracked IFVs (including anti-tank, command, and field ambulance variants)
-2,102 IC.2 Tracked APCs (including anti-tank, command, armored recovery, field ambulance, anti-aircraft, and field engineer variants)
-2,560 IC.1 Wheeled APCs (including command, field ambulance, and anti-aircraft variants)

Armored Cars
-2,059 FV714 Ferret Scout Cars
-1,103 Type 3 Antitank Cars
-1,440 ACV-IP Wheeled Carriers
-548 FV721 Fox Armored Scout Cars

Artillery
-550 SPG-2 152mm SPHs
-129 R.122 122mm MRLs
-Pinaka/R.214 214mm MRL (206 on order)
-560 Mk.6 105mm Towed Howitzers
-320 R.130 130mm Towed MRLs
-207 Mk.1 75/105mm High Velocity Antitank Guns
-30 Land Eagle PGM Launchers

Air Defense
-680 Javelin Man-Portable SAM launchers
-319 Starstreak Man-Portable SAM launchers
-161 Rapier FSC Towed SAM launchers
-132 PAADS-1 Self-propelled SAM launchers
-28 PAADS-2 Self-propelled SAM launchers
-10 IS-200 fixed SAM launchers
-403 40mm Bofors L/70 Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
-894 20mm Polsten Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns

Specialist Vehicles
-80 Centurion Obstacle Clearance Vehicles
-46 Centurion Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridges
-93 Centurion Armoured Recovery Vehicles
-41 T-55 Engineer Utility Vehicles
-Type 15 Motor Ferry
-Sarvatra Truck-Laid Bridge
-Pinaka Support/Reolader Vehicle
-Samyukta Jammer
-Samyukta DF Station

Logistical Vehicles
-4x4 Mahindra All-Terrains
-4x4 Mahindra Type 160s
-6x6 Mahindra Type 315s
-8x8 Mahindra Type 332s
-4x2 Mahindra 407s

UIC Equipment

Individual Weapons
-Mills Bomb
-.303 Short Magazine Lee Enfield Mk.III
-7.62x51mm Lee Enfield L8
-9x19mm Owen Machine Carbine
-9x19mm Sten Gun
-.303 Bren Mk.4 LMG

Crew-Served Weapons
-.303 Vickers Machine Gun
-.303 Vickers Gas Operated Machine Gun
-Ordnance SBML 2in Mortar
-Ordnance ML 3in Mortar
-Melghat SPG-9I 73mm Recoilless Rifle
-WOMBAT L6 120mm Recoilless Rifle

Tanks
-205 Cromwell VII Cruisers
-120 FV4101 Charioteer Tank Destroyers
-439 FV101 Scorpion Light Tanks

Armoured Vehicles
-442 FV714 Ferret Scout Cars
-240 Daimler Dingo Scout Cars
-354 Humber Mk.III/IV Armored Cars
-242 ACV-IP Wheeled Carriers
-39 FV432 APCs

Artillery
-110 T-55/130 SPGs
-281 Ordnance QF 25 pounder Towed Howitzers
-49 R.130 130mm Towed MRLs
-79 Ordnance QF 17 pounder Antitank Guns

Air Defense
-210 Javelin Man-Portable SAM Launchers
-32 Rapier FSC Towed SAM Launchers
-78 40mm Bofors L/60 Towed Antiaircraft Guns
-321 20mm Polsten Towed Antiaircraft Guns
-54 QF 3.75in Towed Antiaircraft Guns

Logistical Vehicles
-Morris Quads
-Various civilian vehicles
-Mahindra ATs

IAF Equipment

Fighter-Bombers
-159 F(J).4FGA.4s
-50 Tornado GR.1s
-97 Springer GR.2s
-30 Jaguar Mk.200s

AEW&C Platforms
-2 Shackleton AEW.2s
-(New AEW&C Aircraft)

Reconaissance
-20 F(J).4PR.3s
-19 Jet Provost T56
-3 Pembroke PR.31s
-8 Canberra Mk.67s

Electronic Countermeasures Aircraft
-6 Canberra B(I).58Es
-8 F(J).4EW.1s
-4 Andover Mk.92s

Helicopters
-132 Mi-8/17/171s
-10 Merlin HC.3s
-124 Dhruv HC.1s
-80 Gazelles

Transports
-20 HS-748 Andovers
-35 Twin Pioneers
-17 Boxkite C(TP).7s
-10 Yak-40DTS/Ks
-18 BN2T Defenders
-10 Dornier Do-28 Skyservants
-6 Belfasts
-3 Tu-154s

Trainers
-43 F(J).4TGR.2s
-10 Jaguar T.4s
-15 Hawk Mk.60s
-45 FT(J).10s
-50 PC-7s
-62 Bulldog 131s
-36 Alouette IIIs
-4 Canberras

Indian Air Force Auxiliary Equipment

Fighter-Bombers
-30 F(J).4FGA.2s
-60 Springer GR.1s

Reconaissance
-20 SB7 Seekers

Helicopters
-9 Sea King Mk.42s
-24 Alouette IIIs

Transports
-2 Twin Pioneers
-20 C(P).6s

Trainers
-10 F(J).4T.1s
-12 Jet Provost T.66s
-19 Bulldog 131s

Indian Navy Equipment

Corvettes & Patrol Ships
-16 Bengal Class Corvettes (Anuppur, Ashoknagar, Balaghat, Barwani, Betul, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Dewanto, Hoshangabad, Jhabua, Narsinghpur, Rajgarh, Sagar, Shajapur, Tikamgarh, Vidisha)
-12 Rajasthan Class Missile FACs (Akola, Washim, Yavatmal, Jalna, Osmanabad, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, Gondiya, Sangli)
-8 Chhattisgarh Class Patrol Gunboats/Minehunters (Jamnagar, Veravat, Chhattisgarh, Ambikapur, Baltistan, Aurangabad, Silvassa, Mahabaleshwar)

Antisubmarine Frigates
-9 Leander Class (Ahmadabad, Quetta, Gwadar, Islamabad, Calcutta, Mumbai, Gilgit, Colombo, Jaipur)
-1 Type 81 (Mohawk)

General Warfare Frigates
-8 Broadsword Class (Lothai, Dwarka, Solapur, Khandwa, Ambajogai, Srivardhan, Parbhani, Amravati)
-6 Bodkin Class (Vijay, Vikram, Vajra, Rakshak, Trishul, Bahadur) (2 commissioned, 2 launched, 2 laid-down)

Air Defense Destroyers
-11 Sheffield Class (Diu, Pondicherry, Goa, Jaisalmer, Zhob, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan, Moro, Chagai, Balotra, Ahmadpur East)
-1 Battle Class (Cadiz)

Submarines
-11 Bihar Class SSKs (Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Allahbad, Bihar, Turbat, Pasni, Bahawalpur, Faisalbad, Barmer, Jalor, Chittaurgarh) (8 in service +3 laid-down)

Aviation Ships
-2 Invincible Class Escort Carriers (Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Ibrahim Haidari)
-1 Centuar Class Fleet Carrier (Viraat) (Laid-up pending scrapping)

Cruisers
-1 Tiger Class (Blake)

Monitors
-2 Zanzibar Class (Timor, Miyako Jima)

Support Ships
-3 Aditya Class Replenishment Oilers (Aditya, Sutlej, Akbar) (2 in service, 1 planned)
-3 Jyoti Class Fleet Oilers (Jyoti, Subroto, Gajaraj) (2 in service, 1 planned)
-2 Galle Class Submarine Tenders (Galle, Marmagao)
-2 Guwahali Class Forward Repair Ships (Guwahali, Jodhpur)
-3 Kanniyakumari Class Hospital Ships (Amarkantak, Anatapur, Rajahmundry)
-2 Itangar Class Hospital Ships (Itangar, Golapur on Sea

Amphibious Assault Ships
-2 Fearless Class (Bandavgarh, Karaikai)
-5 Kaveri Class (Kaveri, Godavari, Dudhana, Sabarmati, Damanganga) (2 in service, 1 launched, 2 laid-down)

Mine Warfare Ships
-12 Pondicherry Class (Badin, Dadu, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Jamshoro, Kamber, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammand Khan, Shikarpur, Umerkot)
-2 Daring Class (Chennai, Pune)

Survey Ships
-1 Paradip Class (Paradip)
-1 Vishakhapatnam Class (Vishakhapatnam)
-2 Tricomalee Class (Tricomalee, Trivandrum)
-1 Karavatti Class (Karavatti)

Fleet Air Arm
-10 Sea Harrier FRS.51s
-21 Sea Harrier FA2s
-9 Sea Harrier T.4s
-20 Hawk Mk.60s
-4 Shackleton MR.5s
-5 HS-748 Coastguarders
-24 Dhruv HAS.1s
-29 Sea King Mk.42s (pending retirement)
-22 Merlin HM Mk.1s (on order)
-17 Lynx Mk.86s
-10 Lynx Mk.95s

Military of Kashmir

Structure

The Military of Kashmir, being constantly at war with its western neighbor North Pakistan, is one of the most experienced armed forces on the subcontinent. Kashmiri forces are also given excellent training and thus exhibit a degree of personal competency and initiative usually lacking in North Pakistani regulars, but this advantage is rarely exploited by commander-in-chief Parak Singh.

The Prince of Kashmir has always made considerable use of mercenaries. In the beginning, these were mainly ex-SAS officers, but lately Gurkhas have made up the largest proportion of foreign soldiers in Kashmiri employ. Such famous names as Bob Denard, Mike Hoare, and Simon Mann have all given service with the Kashmiri Armed Forces at one time or another.

Composition

The Kashmiri Military can trace its lineage back to the very beginning of the Sikh dynasty that now rules Kashmir, but really came into its own during the late-1980s, while fighting a Soviet-backed North Pakistan. Thanks to Western advisors and equipment support, particularly from China and France, the Military of Kashmir is a well-trained and effective force, at least on the tactical level, although it suffers from low equipment standards.

Just over a third of the MoK's strength is made up of volunteers, while the other two thirds consists of conscripts serving their obligatory two-year enlistment. Conscripts form the bulk of non-frontline units' strength, and are generally charged with logistical duties, while the probably more committed volunteers are placed in more demanding and dangerous roles.

There is no part-time volunteer component of the Kashmiri military, the government relying on conscription to fill-out its ranks and bolster numbers in the event of war.

Royal Army of Kashmir

The Royal Army of Kashmir first emerged in its modern form in 1957, when a group of French, British, and Quinntonian advisors reorganized then-Maharajah Hari Singh's Kashmir Territorial Army. With Western training and tactics, the Army became, instead a loose collection of mercenaries and local tribal forces, a western-style regular army. Today, it is the government's right arm, controlled by the Maharajah himself, and is constantly in use, crushing one insurrection or another while at the same time maintaining the integrity of the border against North Pakistani incursions.

Next to the CMEC and INA, the Royal Army lacks good high-level command and is not quite as disciplined as the Maharajah would like to think. But the Royal Army produces what are likely the world's best mountain troops and these have found employment worldwide after finishing their terms. And although North Pakistan usually carries a numerical and equipment advantage, this can usually be offset by the Kashmiris' superior training and tactical aptitude.

Royal Kashmiri Air Force

The Royal Kashmiri Air Force is also a fairly well-trained branch of the armed forces, and its history is tied to that of the Royal Army. The RKAF and Royal Army were separated in 1992, the air force being formerly under army command, and since then there has been more money spent on modernized equipment and higher standards of training. Like the IAF, the RKAF has its fair share of battle experience, mostly in fighting the North Pakistanis during the nearly constant border wars, and also through mercenary deployments to Nepal and Central Asia.

Compared to the other Indian air forces, the RKAF is severely handicapped in terms of capability, its fighter force being based entirely on the Shenyang J-6. While formerly able to compete with NPAF's Su-25s and L-39s, with the arrival of MiG-29s in Shareef's air force the current interceptor force is more or less completely inadequate.

Kashmiri Civil Guard

The Civil Guard is Kashmir's primary paramilitary organization, and is responsible for the maintainance of civil order and the repression of political dissidents. While similar in some respects to the UIC, the Civil Guard is centrally-organized rather than locally-organized and lacks the UIC's focus on military training. Civil Guard units have been extremely active in the capital, Srinagar, where they played the central role in Parak Singh's recent destruction of a coalition of reformist parties, which he believed to be on the verge of mounting a coup.

Although Civil Guard operations, when they are conducted on a large scale, more often than not succeed, the service is notoriously corrupt, and a Civil Guardsmen might demand a bribe from a casual passerby. It is possible, with a large enough bribe, to get away with almost any crime, from speeding to treason. Civil Guardsmen have also been caught on more than one occasion selling their heavy weaponry to Bihari or Afghan arms dealers, but this practice has reduced somewhat as of late because of tougher government punishments and more stringent restrictions on what units can own and carry crew-served armaments.

A small riverine component operates patrol boats on Dal Lake, and the Civil Air Guard flies a handful of lightplanes. The Kashmiri Special Branch is technically part of the Civil Guard, but its operations are much more proffessional and secretive.

Strength and Equipment Overview

Royal Army of Kashmir: 79,431
Royal Kashmiri Air Force: 28,919
Royal Kashmiri Civil Guard: 128,776
Royal Kashmiri Civil Air Guard: 430

Royal Army Equipment

Individual Weapons
-M61 Hand Grenade
-7.62x51mm G3A3 Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm HK-21 LMG
-7.62x39mm Type 81 Assault Rifle
-9x19mm MP-5A2/A3 SMG
-9x19mm FN-GP Automatic Pistol

Crew-Served Weapons
-7.62x51mm FN-MAG MG
-12.7x99mm FN-Browning M2 HMG
-M51 120mm Mortar
-60mm C-06 Mortar
-84mm Carl-Gustaf Recoilless Rifle
-1,560 Milan 2T Guided Antitank Rocket Posts
-106mm M40 Recoilless Rifle

Tanks
-34 FV4201 Chieftain Mk.5 MBTs
-28 Leopard 1A4 MBTs

Armored Infantry Carriers
-190 Type 6614 4x4 APCs
-450 Condor 4x4 APCs

Artillery
-40 GIAT Mk F3 155mm SPHs
-86 Azar 107mm MRLs
-74 M101 105mm Towed Howitzers

Air Defense
-152 Mistral Man-Portable SAM launchers
-25 RBS 70 Man-Portable SAM launchers
-446 SA-14 Man-Portable SAM launchers
-14 Crotale 4000 Self-propelled SAM launchers
-35 Panhard M3 VDA Self-propelled Antiaircraft Guns
-179 Oerlikon 35mm Twin Towed Antiaircraft Cannons

Specialist Vehicles
-18 Bergepanzer Engineer Utility Vehicles
-6 FV4204 Armored Recovery Vehicles
-9 FV4205 Armored Bridgelaying Vehicle

Logistical Vehicles
-4x4 Unimog 406s
-4x4 Defender Srs 3s
-6x6 DTIC Model 14s
-8x8 DTIC Model 16Es
-4x4 Land Rover 101s

Air Force of North Hindustan Equipment

Fighter-Bombers
-27 J-6Cs
-18 Vautour IIAs
-59 IA-58 Pucaras

Reconaissance[/b]
-6 JZ-6s

[u]Electronic Warfare Platforms
-9 Vautour IIBRNs

Helicopters
-14 SA330s
-10 BO-105s
-18 Alouette IIs
-29 Alouette IIIs

Transports
-2 Viscount 800s
-5 F27-300s
-9 Skyvan 3Ms

Trainers
-9 JJ-6s
-14 Fouga Magisters
-19 Safirs

Civil Guard Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.62x51mm G3A3 Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm G3SG/1 Marksman's Rifle
-7.62x51mm FN-SCAR Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm MG3
-9x19mm MAT-49 SMG
-9x19mm FN-GP Automatic Pistol
-40mm HK69 Grenade Projector

Crew-Served Weapons
-7.62x51mm FN-MAG MG
-12.7x99mm FN-Browning M2 HMG
-Ordnance SBML 2in Mortar
-30mm AGS-17 Grenade Machine Gun

Armored Vehicles
-58 UR-416 APCs
-61 TM-170 APCs
-135 BDX APCs

Unarmored Vehicles
-4x4 Land Rover Lightweights
-4x4 Toyota Land Cruisers

Aircraft
-3 Y-12s
-2 Nord 3202s
-2 MFI-17s
-6 Alouette IIs

Patrol Boats
-7 River Gunboats (14m)
-2 Griffon 2000TD Hovercrafts

Armed Forces of North Pakistan

Structure

The Armed Forces of North Pakistan are, given the state of the national economy, surprisingly well-funded and capable, although distribution of training and funding is not equal throughout all the services. North Pakistan has been fighting wars on and off with Kashmir ever since the mid-1950s, mostly over possession of the Chorbat La and the border town of Kargil, so the Armed Forces are in constant use and most junior officers and NCOs have years of battle experience to contribute.

North Pakistan's military is commanded by the President of North Pakistan, Mustafa Shareef. Not one to delegate power, Shareef directs most of the military's operations personally and has been known to take command of divisions in the field when generals don't perform up to his expectations. Although he is a scheming, brutal, and quite crude man, he is also a surprisingly able military commander. Shareef is also afraid of a military coup, so he keeps the general staff free from talented and independent-minded officers to the best of his ability. From Lieutenants to Field Marshals, officers are appointed on the basis of their ability to successfully carry-out Shareef's orders.

Composition

The North Pakistani Armed Forces are grouped into two main branches, the Federal Army and the Federal Air Force, with the Special Service Group and Inter-Service Intelligence serving both to provide skilled leadership to and keep watch over the Army and Air Force.

Most military personnel are conscripts, since few volunteer for service in the grinding, perpetual war against Kashmir. Air Force pilots have it best, since their pay is generous and they recieve the President's most regular and most genuine praise. Any Air Force recruit has it better than an Army recruit, since prospects of injury or death from enemy action are very low now that the IAF has stopped its cross-border incursions.

There is no part-time component to North Pakistan's military, and conscription is used to provide the manpower required to fight Kashmir on somewhat equal footing.

Federal Army

The largest North Pakistani armed force, the Federal Army is responsible for enforcing Shareef's will upon the various ethnic and national groups in North Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is, therefore, highly indoctrinated and almost all officers have no qualifications besides unwavering loyalty to the President. Despite this seeming drawback, the Federal Army has consistently come-out on top of the Kashmiri Royal Army, which is indoctrinated to an even greater degree and does not benefit from a leader of the same experience and tact as Shareef.

The Federal Army has recieved significant amounts of Elian support as of late, including enough Muhannad assault rifles to allow the phasing-out of the AKM, and training assistance.

Federal Air Force

Unlike the Royal Kashmiri Air Force, its principle antagonist, the FAF is an effective and well-equipped air arm, one of the best in the region. The Air Force benefits from Shareef's favor, and contains a fair few skilled and forward-thinking officers, many of who have survived Shareef's purges before. Thanks to its favored status, air force acquisitions get the lion's share of defense funding, usually at the expense of the Federal Army. This has antagonized army commanders before, but Shareef has never been afraid to have troublemakers killed at the first sign of disloyalty.

The FAF boasts a potent prescision strike force, flying Su-22s and Su-25s, as well as a top-class air defense wing, equipped with ex-Elian MiG-29As. While much smaller than the Depkazian Aeronautical Battle Force, and not quite as well-equipped, the FAF may very well be better-trained and better-led.

Special Service Group

This elite group of commandos performs missions that the Federal Army is too large and plodding to accomplish successfully, and has consistently done with a handful of men what entire Federal Army divisions have failed to do. SSG commandos benefit from extremely long and demanding selection process, designed to weed-out the less determined along with the politically suspect.

SSG officers are often sent to command Federal Army divisions when their officers don't perform up to snuff, a sign of the trust that Shareef places with them. Light infantry companies made up of SSG commandos usually lead any Federal Army operation, their specialist training and motivation serving as an example to the less than willing conscripts and their presence keeping dissent under control.

In addition to these more mundane tasks, SSG commandos perform long-range reconaissance, sabotage, and guerilla operations, usually in Kashmir or Afghanistan.

Inter-Service Intelligence

Shareef's secret police agency, the ISI, is a highly brutal and highly effective force charged with protecting his rule and destabilizing the government of Parak Singh, the Kashmiri Prince. ISI is not too concerned with civilian casualties, and has been known to bomb apartment blocks in order to kill a single target, although this is almost always blamed on Kashmiri Special Branch agents.

ISI, besides keeping a lid on republicans and leftists, is also concerned with combatting the spread of Islamic extremism, which threatens Shareef's secular rule and his position in Afghanistan. A recent bombing in Peshawar, credited to an Indonesian terrorist group, sparked an especially large round of arrests and executions, and ISI agents are more active than ever in the capital's slums and bazaars.

Strength and Equipment Overview

Federal Army of North Pakistan: 110,200
Federal Air Force of North Pakistan: 23,116
Special Service Group: 7,800
Inter-Service Intelligence: 12,489

Federal Army Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.62x39mm AKM Assault Rifle
-7.62mm Muhannad Assault Rifle
-7.62x54mm DPM LMG
-7.62x39mm RPD LMG
-7.62x25mm PPS-43 SMG
-7.62x25mm TT Automatic Pistol

Crew-Served Weapons
-7.62x54mm SGM MG
-12.7x109mm DShKM HMG
-14.5x115mm KPV/PKP HMG
-82mm 2B9 Automatic Mortar
-120mm 2B11 Mortar
-82mm 2B14 Mortar
-RPG-7 Antitank Grenade Projector
-RPG-16 Antitank Grenade Projector
-107mm B-11 Recoilless Rifle
-82mm B-10 Recoilless Rifle
-1,210 9M14 Guided Antitank Rocket Launchers
-314 9M111 Guided Antitank Rocket Launchers

Tanks
-316 T-34/85s
-205 T-55AM2PBs
-214 T-62Ms

Armored Infantry Carriers
-492 BMP-1s
-240 Hotspur Hussars
-304 YW 531s

Artillery
-89 122mm D-30 Towed Howitzers
-120 122mm M-30 Towed Howitzers
-47 122mm BM-21 MRLs
-107 140mm RPU-14 Towed MRLs

Air Defense
-65 9K35 Strela-10 Self-propelled SAM launchers
-48 9M31M Strela-1M Self-propelled SAM launchers
-279 9K34 Strela-3 Manportable SAM launchers
-319 9K38 Igla-1 Manportable SAM launchers
-190 ZU-23 23mm Towed Antiaircraft Guns
-43 KS-30 130mm Towed Antiaircraft Guns
-251 ZPU-4 14.5mm Towed Antiaircraft Guns

Logistical Vehicles
-4x4 GAZ-66
-4x4 GAZ-51
-4x4 GAZ-69
-6x6 ZIL-131
-8x8 TATRA T813

Federal Air Force Equipment

Fighter-Bombers
-28 MiG-29Bs
-36 Su-25SMs
-14 Su-22M-4s

Bombers
-12 Il-28s

Reconaissance
-8 Il-28Rs
-9 L-39ZOs

Electronic Warfare Platforms
-5 Il-28s
-6 Mi-8SMVs

Helicopters
-34 Mi-8Ts
-11 Mi-8TVKs
-43 Mi-25s

Transports
-5 Il-18s
-10 An-14s
-8 An-28s
-14 Il-14s

Trainers
-21 L-29s
-9 L-39ZAs
-32 Zlin 142Cs

SSG Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.62mm Muhannad Assault Rifle
-5.45x39mm AK-74 Assault Rifle
-5.45x39mm AKS-74U Assault Rifle
-7.62x54mm Dragunov SVD Marksman's Rifle
-7.62x54mm PKM LMG
-5.7x28mm P90 SMG
-7.65x17mm vz.61 SMG
-40mm RG-6 Grenade Projector
-9x18mm Makarov PM Automatic Pistol

Crew-Served Weapons
-12.7x109mm DShKM HMG
-RPG-7 Antitank Grenade Projector
-RPG-29 Antitank Grenade Projector
-30mm AGS-30 Grenade Machine Gun
-107mm B-11 Recoilless Rifle
-82mm B-10 Recoilless Rifle
-1,210 9M14 Guided Antitank Rocket Launchers
-314 9M111 Guided Antitank Rocket Launchers

Specialist Vehicles
-65 GAZ-3937s
-142 UAZ-469s
-41 Rys APCs

Air Defense
-98 9K34 Manportable Antiaircraft Missiles
-45 9K38 Manportable Antiaircraft Missiles

ISI Equipment

Personal Weapons
-5.45x39mm AK-74 Assault Rifle
-5.45x39mm AKS-74U Assault Rifle
-7.62x54mm Dragunov SVD Marksman's Rifle
-5.7x28mm P90 SMG
-7.65x17mm vz.62 SMG
-40mm RG-6 Grenade Projector
-9x18mm Makarov Automatic Pistol

Specialist Vehicles
-73 UAZ-452s
-51 Shortland Mk.4s

HAL Completes Latest Round of Upgrades to F(J).4 Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics' F(J).4 has provided sterling service with the IAF for the past 23 years, and there are no plans to retire it in the near future. Thanks to an exceptionally long fatigue life and superb airframe design, the F(J).4 has been, with the aid of numerous upgrade variants, able to keep pace with the best of modern aircraft. Thanks to a pair of canard foreplanes, rugged landing gear, and a thrust reverser, the F(J).4 can operate off airstrips measuring only 350m, and has proven able to outmanouver almost anything. Now, after over a year of work, HAL has finally completed the most recent of these upgrades, and is set to ensure the F(J).4's continued good service well into the 21st century.

FGA.4

Far and away the most important and most numerous F(J).4 variant is the Fighter Ground Attack, or FGA, version. This is the original, a contemporary of the Mirage 2000 and F-16 and still going strong as both those types are nearing the end of their service lives in their producer nations.

The Type 39 Infra-Red Search/Track System, already deployed on the Springer GR.2, has been fitted, mounted above the nose radome and just forward of the canopy. This allows the FGA.4 variant to search for enemy aircraft in a heavy jamming environment and without emitting detectable radio waves. The Type 39 system also includes a laser rangefinder, which is intended for use with the gun system, and this improves gun-laying accuracy. Range is about 50 kilometers in the rear aspect against fighter-size targets, and between 30 and 40 kilometers in the forward aspect, while heavy bombers and other large, podded-engine aircraft are detectable at nearly 100 kilometers. The Type 39 is based very heavily on the IRST fitted to the Su-30, examples of which the IAF briefly operated before they were resold.

Probably the most important of all the FGA.4 upgrades is the installation of the Type 212 Active Electronically-Scanned Array Radar, which replaces the Type 200 Passive Array. The Type 212 is essentially an upgrade of the Type 200, which already benefitted from the reliability and roominess that come with a fixed antenna. New features include a considerably increased scanning rate and improved target handling capabilities, as well as improved range and frequency agility. The Type 212 is also much more resilient to battle damage than the Type 200, in that each one of the Type 212's scanner modules have their own frequency sources and multiple scanner modules can be knocked-out without the radar as a whole ceasing to function. Detection range for air targets is over 350 kilometers, and tracking range is over 200 kilometers, and large sea targets can be spotted at over 400 kilometers. The Type 212 is able to track around 30 targets simultaneously and can engage the ten most threatening at the same time.

Electronic Countermeasures Systems have also been considerably improved through the deployment of the Type 26D ECM suite, which includes the Tarang Mk.2 Radar Warning Reciever, Type 1S Towed Decoy, and Type 18D radio frequency jammers. The F(J).4FGA.4 is also one of the only aircraft to deploy a laser warning reciever, the Tarang Mk.3, another being the Walmingtonian variant of the Eurofighter. Radar and infra-red decoy launchers are largely unchanged from the FGA.3 variant, having been deemed sufficient.

The F(J).4's main drawback has always been its somewhat short range, since its relatively small size makes it impossible to fit a great amount of fuel alongside a large and powerful engine and avionics systems. HAL's new upgrade attempts to remedy this drawback primarily through the J53-E, a modified version of the J53 that has always powered the F(J).4. The E variant is lighter, thanks to the use of composites in many of its components, and also introduces a more efficient engine cycle. This gives the FGA.4 variant slightly improved endurance next to earlier versions. There is also provision for conformal fuel tanks, although these are not likely to be fitted in practice.

Manouverability is improved by the addition of 3D thrust vectoring nozzles, and this greater degree of agility is compensated-for by an inclined seat mounting in the cockpit which helps take some of the stress off the pilot in high-g manouvers, a feature present in all the F(J).4 variants.

The twin ADENs have also been removed and replaced with the 27mm C27, a liscence-built version of the Mauser BK-27. The new C27s fire projectiles not that much smaller than the ADEN's 30mm round at a higher muzzle velocity and a higher rate of fire, improving accuracy and really denting firepower. This instance of ADEN removal is part of the IAF's program aimed at eventually withdrawing the dated weapon.

Type: Single-seat fighter-bomber and twin-seat combat capable trainer
Powerplant: 1xHAL J53-C/D/E turbofan at 64.33kN (14,462lbf) thrust dry, 98.06kN (22,046lbf) augmented
Performance: Maximum speed at altitude Mach 2.23, range 1,445km with air-to-air payload, service ceiling 17,000m, rate of climb 56,000 ft/min
Weights: 7,500kg empty, 15,000kg max. take off
Armament: 2x27mm C27 cannons, up to 4,700kg of external stores including R-73I1/R-73I2, Python, D'Angelot Maudit, and R-77I AAMs, BrahMos, Sea Skua and Sea Eagle ASMs, AT.40 anti-tank missiles, Land Eagle and AT.50 PGMs, ARMAT anti-radar missiles, folding fin rockets and unguided bombs
Avionics: Type 212 AESA Radar, Type 39A IRST, Type 26D ECM suite (Tarang Mk.3, Tarang Mk.4, Type 18D RF jammer), Type 1S Towed Decoy

Bihari People's Liberation Army

Structure

The BPLA, one of India's larger standing militaries, is organized largely on the Chinese example, but in practice this is extremely flexible. Due to a lack of sea access, few foreign benefactors, and a disastrous economic program, the BPLA has been unable to afford any major equipment purchases and thus its inventory is thoroughly outdated next to those of other subcontinental armies. But for all its sabre-rattling and anger, the BPLA has only fought another regular army once, during the Sino-Nepalese War, and even then it did not take a terribly active part in the fighting. So it will much more likely find itself facing internal factions or armies fielded by the small Princely States to the east of Bangladesh, not the much better-equipped Commonwealth, Combine, or Union armies.

Bihari officers can either rise up through the ranks or attend and graduate the Central Military Academy in Patna. Commanders are generally more capable than their Kashmiri or North Pakistani peers, but generally suffer from a lack of real experience and outdated doctrine. Political reliability carries surprisingly small significance in the BPLA, at least in posts below the strategic level, and purges are thoroughly uncommon.

Composition

The BPLA is organized into the BPLA (Ground Forces) and the BPLAAF, with the paramilitary Bihari People's State Police, Bihari People's Militia, and Bihari Revolutionary Guard all attached to the BPLA's command structure. Technically, every Bihari citizen between the ages of 18 and 40 is eligible for military service, but given the nation's economic condition this is unfeasible in the extreme.

Most of the BPLA's personnel are conscripts, and volunteers are mostly found in the armored or vanguard divisions or interceptor squadrons. Still, the Bihari government has little to worry about from its military as revolutionary sentiment still runs fairly high and the Bihari populace is still quite bitter about the period of military governance.

Bihari People's Liberation Army Ground Forces

With over 400,000 personnel, the BPLA (Ground Forces) is one of the larger standing militaries on the Indian Subcontinent, and indeed in Asia as a whole. However, its otherwise heavy numerical advantage can rarely be brought into play due to extremely low equipment standards and foot-based logistics. The BPLA has, though, benefitted from alternating Chinese, Russian, and Bedgellen military advisors, and thanks in large part to their efforts Bihari troops can be used effectively on the battlefield.

Suffering from an acute shortage of heavy equipment, the BPLA is very heavily rooted in the guerilla tradition and ambush warfare, which was used to great effect in the Bihari Liberation Struggle. Bihari troops are trained to travel light and know how to improvise anti-tank weapons. They also rarely operate far outside their base region, so Bihari troops are generally quite familiar with the lay of the land and have good fieldcraft skills.

BPLAAF

The BPLAAF is quite poorly-equipped and suffers from a lack of spare parts and training. First established with Chinese assistance in 1976, the BPLAAF has rarely seen action, and when it has its contribution has rarely proven decisive.

While the interceptor force is almost non-existant due to a lack of spares and training and poor infrastructure, the BPLAAF does boast a modest COIN capability in the form of SF.260s, Percival Provosts, Soko Kragujs, and, improbably, Rockwell OV-10s. These types are used very often and usually to good effect against Bihar's opium cartels. Even with higher-risk operations, these units suffer fairly low attrition compared to the few surviving interceptor squadrons thanks to their forgiving and tame aircraft types.

BPSP

The Bihari People's State Police is a relatively un-oppressive and easygoing police force, at least next to its Princely peers, but still suffers from terrible corruption, poor funding, and next to no equipment. While responsible for everything from traffic direction to anti-smuggling and customs patrols, the BPSP is usually not capable of performing anything besides the simplest of tasks, as more often than not police commanders are under the sway of the smugglers and cartels. Reforms have been discussed and other anti-corruption measures have been implemented in the past, but to little effect, Patna being less than entirely willing to get rid of its entire police force when new appointees are likely to be just as slimey as the old ones.

The BPSP would, in time of war, function as the military police, responsible for the protection of logistical and rear-echelon units and the maintainance of order in the not perfectly disciplined BPLA.

Bihari People's Militia

Every Bihari citizen is legally obliged to serve in the armed forces, but the BPLA doesn't have nearly enough weapons to go around. The BPM was established in order to prepare Bihari citizens for war without having to spend that much money on it, and is therefore locally organized by Party Cadres and mainly concerned with guerilla fighting. Militia units have also been used as porters for regular-army heavy equipment.

Militia levvies can be armed with literally anything. The better-connected Cadres can usually get-ahold of some SKS derivatives, but most make due with various bolt-action rifles and revolvers. Some militia levvies are even armed with civilian shotguns, spears, and machetes.

Bihari Revolutionary Guard

The BRG is Bihar's most potent military force, and is used for a variety of tasks including sabotage, long-range reconaissance, assassinations, and counter-terrorist operations. BRG members are selected from the BPLA, usually on the basis of marksmanship and endurance, and undergo a demanding nine-week training and selection process that includes jungle survival and parachute insertion excersizes. Revolutionary Guard troops act as bodyguards for high-level government officials in peacetime, and in wartime they would generally be deployed behind enemy lines to cause disruptions.

Strength and Equipment Overview

BPLA (Ground Forces): 467,290
BPLAAF: 15,612
BPLP: 169,940
BPM: ~20,000,000 (potential)
BRG: 5,608

Bihari People's Liberation Army (Ground Forces) Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.62x54mm Moisin-Nagant Model 1891/30 Rifle
-7.62x54mm Moisin-Nagant Model 1944 Carbine
-7.62x39mm SKS Rifle
-7.62x39mm AKM/AKM-BG/AK-47 Assault Rifle
-7.62x54mm DP-28 LMG
-7.62x39mm RPD LMG
-7.62x38mm Nagant M1895 Revolver
-7.62x25mm TT-33 Automatic Pistol
-7.62x25mm PPS-43 SMG

Crew-Served Weapons
-7.62x54mm PM1910 MG
-7.62x54mm SG-43 MG
-12.7x109mm DShK HMG
-82mm Type 65 Recoilless Rifle
-82mm Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle
-60mm Type 80 Mortar
-84mm Type 84 Mortar
-RPG-7D Anti-Tank Grenade Projector
-453 9M14M Guided Anti-tank Rockets

Tanks
-194 T-55Ms
-59 T-72Bs
-202 Type 62 Light Tanks

Armored Vehicles
-134 GKN Simbas
-585 BTR-40s

Artillery
-49 M-46 130mm Towed Howitzers
-85 M1942 76.2mm Towed Guns
-62 M-30 122mm Towed Guns
-90 ZiS-2 57mm Antitank Guns

Air Defense
-376 ZU-23 23mm Antiaircraft Guns
-185 S-60 57mm Antiaircraft Guns
-96 KS-30 130mm Antiaircraft Guns
-19 S-75 Antiaircraft Missile Launchers
-26 ZU-23-4 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Gun Carriers
-281 9K32 Antiaircraft Missile Launchers

Logistical Vehicles
-4x4 Land Cruiser
-4x4 Land Rover
-4x4 GAZ-69
-4x4 Zil-130

Specialist Vehicles
-16 AT-T Tractors
-10 PTS-M Tracked Ferries
-18 GT-SM Tractors
-15 MT-55A AVLBs
-17 VT-55A ARVs

BPLAAF Equipment

Fighters
-12 MiG-21MFs
-5 MiG-21PFs
-6 MiG-21F-13s
-9 MiG-17Fs

Attack Aircraft
-17 P-56 Provosts
-34 J20 Kragujs
-21 SF.260Ws
-12 OV-10s

Reconaissance
-15 UTVA-66s

Helicopters
-18 Scout AH.1s
-10 Mi-2s

Transports
-7 MD312 Flamants
-5 Li-2s
-7 Il-14s

Trainers
-2 MiG-21Us
-10 L-29s
-25 MFI-9s

BPSP Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.62x54mm Moisin-Nagant Model 1944 Carbine
-7.62x39mm SKS Rifle
-7.62x25mm vz.25 SMG
-7.62x38mm Nagant M1895 Revolver

BPM Equipment

Individual Weapons
-7.7x58mm Type 99 Rifle
-7.62x54mm Moisin-Nagant Model 1891/30 Rifle
-7.7x56mm SMLE Mk.III Rifle
-.577/450 Martini-Henry Rifle
-8x57mm Hakim Rifle
-.75 Land Pattern Musket
-7.62x39mm AK-47
-7.62x54mm DP-28 LMG
-7.62x63mm M1918 LMG
-6.5x51mm Type 11 LMG

Crew-Served Weapons
-7.62x63mm M1919A6 MG
-7.62x54mm Vickers MG

[Any posts on Kashmir's governmenance and society? There seems to be a military post but nothing on Singh's government as a whole. I don't want to end up sponsoring a psycho again!]

(OCC: Ah, not yet. I really need to fill in the gaps here. I hope this list of characters proves helpful...)

Personalities of Significance in Non-Gelatian India, 1947-Present*

*I have deliberately left Gandhi and Ghaffar Khan out of this list of characters because of their particularly well-known and distinguished reputations, which do not, I believe, need to be elaborated-upon here.

[u]The Indian National Union[/b]

Patel, Sardar Vallahbai (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/Sardar_Vallabhbhai_Patel.jpg) (13 Oct. 1875-15 Dec. 1950) First President of the Indian National Union (1947-1950)

Patel was born in rural Gujarat and spent his youth in the fields, working alongside his father. Admired for his physical toughness, but not noted as being particularly ambitious, Patel nonetheless studied to become a lawyer and passed his matriculation at the age of 22. With his young wife Jhaverba, he established himself in Godhra, also in Gujarat, and his skills in the courtroom were soon recognized. Patel passed-up an opportunity to study in Walmington so that his older brother, Vithalbhai, could go in his place, and continued as a pleader in Gujarat. In 1909, Jhaverba was hospitalized in Mumbai with cancer, and died shortly after undergoing a major surgery. Patel was given the news while in court. After glancing at the note, he put it in his pocket and continued with the proceedings, ultimately winning the case. The news was only broken to his friends and family afterwords. Patel decided against marrying again, and raised his two children with the help of his family. Having at long last saved enough money to undertake study in Walmington to become a barrister, he enrolled at the prestigious Middle Temple Inn in London. Always known for an innate talent and intelligence, Patel finished the 36-month barrister's course in 30 months, and finished at the top of his class. With this valuable education, Patel returned to Ahmadabad, Gujarat, to become one of the city's most celebrated barristers, providing for his family while Vithalbhai entered the political arena.

Patel's first civil service post was as Commissioner of Sanitation for Ahmadabad, and although he clashed with the Walmingtonian authorities often, he did not exhibit any pro-independence streak and mocked Mohandas Gandhi. After the latter's championing of the oppressed farmers in Champaran, Patel's opinion changed, and he soon forsook his western mannerisms for traditional Indian dress and language. Patel lead the Satyagraha in Champaran, Patel's first major role in the Swaraj movement, when Gandhi was himself unable to attend. Patel then organized a non-violent revolt in his native Gujarat, and this succeeded in winning major concessions for the hard-pressed farmers there. A hero to the Gujaratis, Patel became the head of the Indian National Congress there, a post he would hold until 1945. Patel was highly active in subsequent Satyagrahas and played a major part in resolving Hindu-Muslim tensions in Ahmadabad while promoting Swaraj and Satyagraha. In 1930, as Gandhi embarked on his famous Dandi Salt March, Patel was arrested and tried without witness. Gujaratis successfully revolted for his and Ghandi's release, and Patel continued to act in concert with Ghandi throughout the remainder of the 1930s and into the Quit India movement.

Following independence and partition, Patel became the Indian National Union's first President, Jawaharlal Nehru becoming Prime Minister, and oversaw the incorporation into the Union of its prescribed territories. After surviving an attempted coup along with Nehru, Patel was also instrumental in the establishment of the Indian National Army. With Nehru fully involved in the resolution of the Punjabi conflict, Patel was responsible for maintaining the increasingly uneasy peace with Prince Llewellyn, and attempted to do so by reducing troop numbers on the border and ceding several Gelatian-majority districts of West Bengal to the new state of Beth Gellert. Shortly before the Gelatian invasion, Patel, his health failing, perished of a heart attack. He was cremated in the traditional Hindu fashion, the funeral being attended by many thousands of Gujaratis, and all the Union mourned his passing.

Nehru, Jawaharlal (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/90/Discovery_of_india.jpg) (14 Nov. 1889-27 May 1964) First Prime Minister of the Indian National Union (1947-1952), First Chief Minister of Parliament (1952)

Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahbad to Motilal Nehru, a wealthy barrister active in the early Indian National Congress alongside Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He was educated at Walmington's Harrow, Cambridge, Trinity College, and the Inner Temple Inn before returning to India to become a barrister. Not unexpectedly, Nehru followed his father Motilal into the Indian National Congress, but abandoned Motilal's more moderate line for Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's faction. Gandhi soon recognized Nehru's potential and the two became strong allies. The Nehru family, Motilal included, adopted Gandhi's ideas of Satyagraha and abandoned western dress and mannerisms for a more Indian lifestyle.

Unlike Gandhi and Patel, Nehru had been heavily exposed to the ideals of socialism while abroad, and was also inspired by the Irish independence struggle and the Russian Revolution. He was the first to advocate immediate and unconditional independence from Walmington, a policy that neither Motilal nor Gandhi had yet committed to. This would heavily shape the ultimate course of India's independence struggle and the character of the Indian National Union post-independence.

Nehru was elected to the Allahbad Municipal Corporation in 1924, and served as the city's top native official for two years. Surprisingly, for the man who would become Prime Minister, this would be Nehru's only administrative experience until attaining the Prime Ministership in 1947. After attempting to expand public healthcare, education, and sanitation, he resigned due to Walmingtonian obstructions and interference, and once again became highly active in the Congress leadership. He was heavily favored for the congress presidency in 1929, and introduced the notion of a nationwide Satyagraha if the Walmingtonians did not accept India's independence in two years' time. After declaring independence in a large ceremony on the banks of the Ravi in the Punjab, he was arrested and imprisoned for the next six years. The Satyagraha, though, was a major success, with Congress winning a number of concessions from the Walmingtonian authorities.

During the Second World War, Nehru, along with Patel, broke with Gandhi in offering full Indian support to the Walmingtonian war effort if, after the war, Indian independence would be assured. Despite Winston Churchill's repudiation of the agreement reached with Chamberlain, Nehru proved unwilling to heavily oppose the allied war effort and was openly critical of Subhash Chandra Bose's efforts. None the less, he was imprisoned by the Walmingtonians along with most of the Congress leadership. Following the election of the liberal Clement Attlee, Nehru represented the Congress in the negotiations that would eventually lead to partition, and was elected Prime Minister in India's first, and, it so happened, last, nationwide election for a head of state. Nehru was one of the first heads of state to condemn nuclear weaponry and advocated full nuclear disarmament. He personally oversaw the settlement of the Punjab Crisis in 1948, and secured the loyalty of the Union's muslim population with the help of politicians like Abdul Karim Khan and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He also managed to secure enough aid from the Attlee government to defeat Prince Llewellyn's offensive into the Indian National Union's soveriegn territory, and, during the 1952 Congress, proclaimed the dissolution of the office of Head of State, shifting all political powers to Parliament and by extension the Local Councils. Still a highly respected individual, Nehru continued to serve as a diplomat and negotiator until his death in 1964.

Khan, Abdul Karim (12 Jan. 1901-27 Oct. 1956) Chief Minister of Balochistan (1947-1949), Special Coordinator for the Punjab (1948-1950), Chief Minister of Parliament (1953)

Abdul Karim Khan was born into royalty in Balochistan, but soon became an ally of the Indian National Congress, highly impressed by Gandhi and dissatisfied with the autocratic rule of his family. In a Satyagraha of his own, aided by his close ally Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, he deposed Balochistan's khans and declared the state part of the Indian National Union, secular and democratic. Two years later, in 1948, he followed Jawaharlal Nehru to the Punjab, where inter-communal strife had already claimed thousands of lives. Through intense personal attention, he helped to broker an agreement which saw the violence end and Punjab's peaceful accession to the Indian National Union.

Syzko, Stanislaw (18 Mar. 1918-24 Jul. 1980) Marshal of the Indian National Army (1949-1976)

Stanislaw Syzko was born to a peasant family in eastern Poland, newly independent, but became a refugee during the Russo-Polish War and ended-up in Warsaw. At the age of 18, he joined the Polish Army and attained the rank of corporal by the time of the Polish September Campaign. Syzko was highly active in the Polish Home Army and took part in Operation Tempest, serving as a regimental commander. He later enlisted in the Indian Army as a Colonel, and, following the attempted coup, was left as the highest-ranking loyal officer and, by extension, commander of the new Indian National Army. In the coming months, he engineered the ultimate defeat of Prince Llewellyn's invasion, and planned the INA's successful operation to retake Maharashtra.

North Pakistan

Jinnah, Muhammed Ali (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fe/Quaid5.jpg) (25 Dec. 1876-Sept. 11 1948) President of Pakistan (1947), President of North Pakistan (1947-1948)

Muhammed Ali Jinnah was born in Karachi, Sindh, to a wealthy Gujarati Merchant. The eldest of seven children, he left India to work for Graham's Shipping and Trading Company in London, Walmington, in 1897. Jinnah studied law at Lincoln's Inn while in Great Walmington, and collaborated with other Indian students on the campaign to elect Dadabhai Naoroji to the Walmingtonian Parliament. Jinnah himself soon entered politics, and was at first closely allied with the Indian National Congress. Styling himself the Muslim Gokhale, he became a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, a body which served to advise the viceroy. He did not, as was the custom at that time, favor immediate independence from Walmington, and supported the triple entente during the first world war. However, upon the accession of Mohandas Gandhi in 1918, and the adoption of Gandhi's more populist policies, Jinnah began to split with the Congress line. Eventually, he split with the congress entirely and formed the All-India Muslim League, and began to advocate separate electorates for Hindus and Muslims during the constitutional debates of the 1920s.

Despite the League's failure to win votes from the Congress in Sindh, the Punjab, the Northwest Frontier Province, and Balochistan, it was not long before Jinnah emerged as the the leader of opposition to the Congress, and proclaimed the League's exclusive right to represent Muslims in British India. Jinnah's demands for seperate electorates and his assertion that the League had the exclusive right to represent Indian muslims were unacceptable to the Congress, and Jinnah began to advocate the creation of the state of Pakistan as the only way to safeguard Muslim rights. Pakistan was to have included Balochistan, Sindh, the Punjab, Islamabad District, the Northwest Frontier District, and the Tribal Areas, but the Congress continued to hold power in Balochistan, Sindh, and the Punjab.

After the second world war, when Indian independence became a certainty under Clement Attlee, Jinnah agitated for a separate India and Pakistan, one for Muslims and one for Hindus. However, with the aid of charismatic Muslim leaders like Ghaffar Khan and Karim Khan, Congress won decisively in Balochistan and Sindh, and Punjab as well. The League, though, would not accept electoral results in the Punjab, and in so doing triggered communal violence the likes of which had not been seen for decades. While the Punjab was eventually incorporated into the Indian National Union, Jinnah's League won the Northwest Frontier Province and the Tribal Areas, as well as Islamabad Capital District, although elections here were later shown to have been rigged.

Ill with tuberculosis, Jinnah died on the 11th of September, 1948, after serving as president of North Pakistan for just over a year. While his short rule was marred by violence between Muslims and Hindus, Jinnah still held-out hope for peaceful relations between the Indian National Union and North Pakistan. These were, though, dashed within two years.

Khan, Liaquat Ali (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/Liaquat_Ali_Khan.jpg) (1 Oct. 1896-16 Oct. 1954) President of North Pakistan (1948-1950)

Liaquat Ali Khan was Muhammad Ali Jinnah's designated successor, and took power upon Jinnah's death. While he was by all accounts a capable administrator and an able statesman, he lacked the credibility and charisma of his mentor, and was thus unable to effectively check the growing power of the Federal Army in the wake of the First Kashmir War. Khan was shot dead in 1954 while making a speech, and the assassin, who was killed seconds later, escaped positive identification. It is, though, widely believed that the killing was ordered by the Federal Army.

Khan, Mohammed Akbar (1912-14 Mar. 1955) Commander of North Pakistani Forces in Kashmir (1947-1948), Special Administrator for Gilgit-Baltistan (1948-1950)

Mohammed Akbar Khan was born into an affluent Pashtun military family, and began his service career with the British Indian Army in 1934. Khan first fought in Waiziristan with the 13th Frontier Force Rifles, and later took part in the Second World War as part of the 20th Indian Division. He served with distinction, winning a DSO while in Burma, and went on to join the new Federal Army in early 1947 as a Major General. His experience made him a logical choice for the command of Federal Army troops in the Northwest Frontier Province, directly facing Hari Singh's Kashmir. Liaquat Ali Khan, preoccupied with his own troubles in Peshawar, could only excersize limited control over the charismatic, well-liked Major General Khan, and after considerable prodding by the latter was co-opted into going to war with Kashmir. Leading a mixed force of Afridi irregulars and Federal Army troops, Khan very nearly took Srinagar, but was frustrated largely by Liaquat Ali Khan's unwillingness to support the operation fully. Disillusioned with the President, Khan attempted a coup when he flew back to Peshawar. He had expected the support of North Pakistan's communist party, but with most of the communist leadership behind bars, there was nobody to rally. Furthermore, Khan's plans had been leaked, and ISI personnel captured the Major General as he drove towards Government House from the airport. A special tribunal found him guilty of treason, and Khan was subsequently imprisoned at Peshawar's central jail. Mohammed Akbar Khan died there of lung cancer five years later, awaiting execution.

Shareef, Zulfiquar Mirza (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Ayubkhan.jpeg) (18 May 1911-30 Aug. 1976) Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Army of North Pakistan (1948-1976), Special Administrator for Gilgit-Baltistan (1950-1953), President of North Pakistan (1954-1976)

Zulfiquar Mirza Shareef, the son of a Pashtun cavalryman, was born into austerity in the village of Rehana, in the Northwest Frontier Province. The young Zulfiquar was soon moved to Islamabad to live with his grandmother, and there attended primary school. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the British Indian Army and eventually attended RMA Sandhurst, where he excelled. Shareef was eventually given an officer's commission, and served on the Burma front during the Second World War. After partition, Shareef was re-enlisted into the Federal Army of North Pakistan, where his war experience and formal military education made him a prime candidate for generalship. Combining those qualities with unbridled ambition and ruthlessness, Shareef did not take long to become Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Army, and oversaw its reformation in the wake of the inconclusive First Kashmir War. He helped Liaquat Ali Khan crush Mohammad Akbar Khan's coup attempt, and most likely ordered the President's assassination. Following Liaquat Ali Khan's death, Shareef, with the Federal Army's loyalty secured, declared a state of emergency and took the office of President, after imprisoning or executing prominent opposition politicians. Shareef made several more attempts at Kashmir, none of them successful, and worked hard to develop ties with the USSR. He also began the North Pakistani tradition of meddling in Afghanistan's internal affairs by first helping Mohammed Daoud Khan to overthrow King Zahir, and then by secretly arming anti-Daoud factions in an attempt to destabilize the country. After a 22-year rule, Shareef, in failing health, was hospitalized after suffering a stroke. He did not recover, and left the office of President to his son, Mustafa Aziz Shareef.

Shareef, Mustafa Aziz (5 Jan. 1946-present) Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Army Air Force (1966-1976), Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Army (1976-present), President of North Pakistan (1976-present)

Great things were expected of Mustafa Shareef from the get-go, as his heritage would suggest. From an early age, the younger Shareef was groomed for leadership, and attended some of the world's most prestigious educational institutions. At the age of 18, and with his father's blessing, Mustafa Shareef entered the Gagarin Military Air Academy, and soon distinguished himself as a committed and gifted pupil. Upon his return to North Pakistan, Mustafa Shareef was given the rank of Air Marshal and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Air Force. Young and well-trained, he was not eager to take an administrative post, and therefore took personal command of a MiG-19 squadron. Upon the elder Shareef's death in 1976, Mustafa Shareef, while the appointed successor, had to fight-off several contenders, Federal Army generals included, and did not secure the presidency until 1978. It was a hard-won victory, made possible in large part by Shareef's frequent double-crosses and changes of alliance. Much like his father, President Shareef the younger soon started to exhibit a brutal streak, and proceeded to crush any and all internal opposition to his rule. The ISI, unrestrained by law and answerable to Shareef himself, was and still is charged with carrying-out such repression, and has done so very effectively. Shareef continued to cultivate North Pakistan's relationship with the USSR, and offered his support to the Russian invasion of Afghanistan from 1979 until 1989. Because of this, he became able to purchase then-advanced Russian-made military hardware, including new missiles and howitzers, and most importantly a batch of 50 Sukhoi Su-25s. These were instrumental in Shareef's repression of the anti-Russian Pashtun tribesmen, and would later ensure dominance over Kashmir's rapidly aging air force. Suffering from what is by all accounts a case of paranoia, Mustafa Shareef undertook major governmental reforms throughout the 1980s, doing-away with many of the Republican institutions left by his father and purging both the government and military of anyone thought capable of challenging his rule. The effect was to create both a bureaucracy and military so dependent on Mustafa Shareef's personal attention as to make it completely unable to act on its own. This state of affairs continues, and has rendered the Federal Army, for one, minimally effective on the battlefield, even when deployed in force against various Afghan and Pashtun warlords. Fearing the growing influence of the Armandian Combine after the fall of the USSR, Shareef switched sides and began to support the nascent Taliban movement, providing it with funding and arms. When the Taliban, under the secretive Mullah Muhammed Omar, took Kabul and established itself as the central government, Shareef again switched sides and began to support the secular Elians, afraid of the influence that the Taliban could carry in the traditionally rebellious Tribal Areas. This uneasy alliance continued throughout the latter half of the 1990s and into the 21st century, and saw Shareef's regime recieve considerable financial boosts. He also began to delvelop a cordial relationship with Depkazia under Premier Edmund Tchokareff, engaging in a joint invasion of the Wakhan Corridor with the purpose of opening overland trade routes. With the exile of Edmund and the supremacy of his son, styling himself Chingiz Khagan, Shareef has yet again changed sides, this time opting for a veneer of Islamic piety and fundamentalism in order to keep what he interprets as his most valuable ally in the region. Shareef has also continued the series of border wars with Kashmir's Parak Singh, and, with Depkazi support, plans to invade Kashmir altogether. He doesn't know it, but his days as President of North Pakistan are numbered, as Chingiz Khagan plots his overthrow. Mustafa Shareef is unmarried and has neither produced or designated an heir.

Kashmir

Abdullah, Sheikh Mohammed (1905-1982) Prime Minister of Kashmir (1947), Chairman of the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (1947-1982), Chief Minister of Kashmir (1975-1982)

Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, known to his supporters as the Lion of Kashmir, was the founder and leader of Kashmir's largest political party, the National Conference. Extremely hostile towards both the Maharaja and the President of North Pakistan, Sheikh Abdullah had started agitating for Kashmiri self-determination as a student in the late 1920s and 1930s, and was the first choice for Kashmiri head of state after partition. After being nudged-out of this position by Maharaja Hari Singh following the state of emergency in 1947, Sheikh Abdullah continued to oppose Kashmir's autocratic government and advocated democracy and secularism. Several successful strikes were mounted throughout the 1950s and 1960s, winning major concessions from the Maharaja but still failing to secure a democracy. In 1975, he was elected head of the Maharaja's Executive Council, an advisory body that stood-in for a proper Parliament, and in that capacity continued to push for increased self-governance and civil liberties until his death in 1982. Chairmanship of the National Conference was transferred to his son, Farooq Abdullah, who resigned from the Executive Council and began a new round of strikes, which were ultimately crushed by the Maharaja's grandson, Parak Singh.

Singh, Hari (http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98sep05/saturday/31tt6.jpg) (1895-1961) Maharaja of Kashmir (1947-1961)

Maharaja Hari Singh, a direct descendant of the Dogra generals who first conquered Kashmir, was born into opulence in the Walmingtonian Raj. He learned from an early age who his friends were, and was therefore extremely hostile to both the Indian National Congress and Sheikh Abdullah's National Congress Party, both of which would have removed him from power. Hari Singh was highly accomodating towards the Walmingtonians, with the ultimate goal of securing his rule in the wake of what was a certain postwar independence. Singh succeeded in this, and became Maharaja of Kashmir over the objections of Patel, Nehru, Abdullah, and Jinnah. With Walmington departed, North Pakistan under Liaquat Ali Khan attempted to overthrow Hari Singh, and succeeded in capturing much of Kashmir, but with Combine support the Maharaja was able to hold onto his capital and eventually push the Federal Army back some distance. He eventually became allied with Prince Llewellyn, and recieved Bedgellen support against subsequent North Pakistani attempts on Kashmir, but was himself unable to mount any effective offensives. Certainly no friend of democracy or progress, Hari Singh nonetheless conceded to many of the National Congress's demands, including the end of press censorship and equal legal rights for Muslims and Hindus. In 1957, he also made provision for a "democracy in fifty years," and took steps towards this promise in the creation of his Executive Council. This did not satisfy Sheikh Abdullah, and the policy was anyway discontinued by Singh's successors. Hari Singh died of old age in 1961, and was succeeded by his only son, Tongil Singh.

Singh, Tongil (1932-1986) Maharaja of Kashmir (1961-1986)

Tongil Singh succeeded his father, Hari Singh, to the title of Maharaja upon the elder Singh's death in 1961, and continued his father's policies. He fought a number of border wars with Zulfiquar, and later Mustafa, Shareef, none of them particularly successful, and died peacefully in 1986 at the age of 54.

Singh, Parak (1956-present) Maharaja of Kashmir (1986-present)

Parak Singh is an altogether different man from his father and his grandfather, and from an early age showed a degree of tenacity and intelligence that the former, certainly, lacked. Upon his accession to the throne, Parak Singh began the wholesale repression of Farooq Abdullah's National Congress and repudiated many of the more progressive policies begun by Hari Singh and Tongil Singh in a bid to consolidate personal power. Parak did, however, soon emerge as more of a friend to Kashmir's Muslims, guaranteeing them limited autonomy and equal opportunities for advancement in the Royal Army. He has also attempted to cultivate a relationship with China as a means of challenging North Pakistan's advantaged status, although beyond the delivery of a few aged fighter jets this has yet to bear very much fruit. While no Bodhisattva, Parak Singh is a veritable paragon of charity next to Mustafa Shareef, and has not engaged in widespread executions since the beginning of his reign. Press restrictions have been relaxed, as have been those on public assembly, and indirect criticism of the Maharaja is allowed.

(I must not have tagged this, yet, because I'm always searching through pages and pages to find it! It's most useful, anyway, LRR.)

(OCC: I am very glad that you approve, Depkazia! There is still a ways to go, however. Now for some IAF-related developments...)

HAL Flies F(J).11 Prototype

Hindustan Aeronautics' Ahmadabad facility has yet again seen the first flight of a new type with the competion of the first flyable F(J).11. With HAL's erstwhile partners from Strathdonia's Goliath Heron Industries in attendance, Squadron Leader Jamir Rahman gingerly eased the aircraft skyward for a 30-minute test hop, meant largely to test the type's aerodynamic properties before GHI or HAL becomes committed to series production. Rahman was pleased with the design, describing it's flight characteristics as "pleasant," and "forgiving," and commented that, with a more powerful engine, it would not be altogether different from the well-liked F(J).4.

This early prototype was propelled by twin Adour 951s, engine types deemed tame enough for the task of preliminary aerodynamic testing. Several engines are currently under consideration, among them HAL's new J65 and the Walmingtonian EJ200, but the F(J).11's ultimate powerplant will almost certainly be determined by the availability of the various designs. With the J65, the F(J).11 would most likely carry two engines, and with the significantly more powerful EJ200, a single mounting would be favored. It was hoped that the prototype's oversized engine fairing would compensate for the difference in aerodynamic characteristics between a single-engined and a twin-engined configuration. HAL, for one, prefers the twin-engined layout for the sake of survivability on the battlefield. Rahman thought the prototype on the sluggish side, and carefully avoided high angles of attack at all times throughout the flight, but subsequent prototypes and flights will doubtless see the installation of the more powerful engines and improvements in the design's performance envelope.

No serious avionics systems took to the air with the prototype, with weights simulating radar and EW systems. HAL will likely install its Type 212 AESA radar in the design, but whether GHI would prefer a different set has yet to be determined. It will probably also be possible, for the sake of saving money, to install less-advanced radars like the Type 200 PESA and the mechanically-steered, pulse-doppler Type 150E.

During its short test hop, the F(J).11's radar cross-section was also studied, and was found to meet the specification. It is important to remember, HAL's designers will say, that the F(J).11 is not meant to be a stealth aircraft in the same vein as the Quinntonian F-22 or Chinese J-12S. It does, though, exhibit an RCS considerably smaller than that of all other IAF combat types, and is expected to exceed both the Eurofighter and Rafale by a notable margin. This quality, while it will not render it invisible, will make the F(J).11 harder for SAM and gunnery control radars to detect. Combined with an advanced ECW suite largely the same as the one on the F(J).4FGA.4, low RCS will considerably improve the aircraft's chances of survival on the battlefield. Another notable feature of the design is its use of composite materials, but this is nothing new, and nothing major is made of it during the first flight.

While still several years from completion, the F(J).11 program is moving along at a satisfying pace. The IAF, for one, hopes to acquire as many as 250 examples, enough to replace the Springer, Jaguar, and most of the F(J).4s in first-line fighter-bomber squadrons. Despite their dwindling airframe service lives, the Tornado GR.1 will continue in active service for the forseeable future due to its high payload and specialized role in anti-shipping. The SADF is expected to induct around 50 F(J).11s, and the type will certainly be offered to Neo-Anarchos and Yugoslavia.

Ten New Boxkites Accepted For Squadron Service

HAL's Ahmadabad factory has also finally completed the latest batch of ten Boxkite C(TP).7 transports, half of an IAF order for 20 new-built examples to help replace the Twin Pioneer. Boxkites are in service with Yugoslavia and Neo-Anarchos besides the IAF, and have proven themselves reliable and effective, seeing service in the former's short-lived invasion of Austria. One of the Boxkite's major selling points is its cheapness, costing perhaps a fraction of a more current design, and as a result is highly simple and straightforward in terms of construction. As a result, it is not a greatly modern aircraft, and shares no few design features with the DC-3. Long airframe life and easy operation have, though, given the venerable Boxkite a slight edge over some newer designs, and ensure its place in IAF service for years to come.

The 10 new-built Boxkites will join the 17 already in service in Nos. 134 and 225 squadrons, and will start to replace the Twin Pioneers in No.152 squadron. Although an older design than the Twin Pionner, Boxkites offer greater payload capacity, speed, and range, with a minimal discrepancy in STOL performance and operating costs. Of the ten more on order, two will join No.152 squadron, and the remaining eight will replace the Twin Pioneers of No.181 squadron. 14 Twin Pioneers will then be transferred to No.409 squadron for operations in northern Balochistan, and the remaining 21 will be offered-up for sale.

Hyderabad Factory Begins First Union Marathon

Long reliant on the aged Short Brothers Belfast, some of them third-hand examples, the IAF can finally look forward to a more modern and more capable strategic airlifter in the form of the Soviet Marathon, liscence-produced by HAL. A total of 25 are planned, the bulk of them in the basic airlifter configuration. Greater carrying capacity, a higher maximum speed, and more efficient turboprops are the type's main advantages over the Belfast. Four others will be built as AEW platforms, replacing the IAF's pair of obsolete Shackleton AEW.2s, another four as in-flight refuellers, and the last two as patrol aircraft. HAL's Hyderabad factory has started the construction of the first two aircraft, transport variants which are destined for No.44 squadron. The Marathons will be the largest aircraft ever built in the Indian National Union.

IAF Orders NT-6-II Golkonda

Citing the rather large discrepancy in terms of fighter aircraft between the IAF and its principal rivals, both worldwide and regionally, and due to HAL's preoccupation with a number of other projects, Parliament has decided to acquire the NT-6-II Golkonda. It has taken some time for the IAF to become interested in the NT-6 series, largely because of the original's extremely basic capabilities. At that time, such an aircraft was not deemed useful, the IAF facing no serious threat anywhere near its own borders. However, with the explosion of Afghanistan as a serious problem, and with Bihar becoming a considerable point of contention as well, the present fleet of 159 F(J).4FGA.4s is no longer considered sufficient to cover the nation. Not nearly as capable as the FGA.4 variant of the F(J).4, Golkonda still offers a useful pulse-doppler multi-mode radar and can carry a wide range of short and intermediate-range AAMs. Golkondas are in service with, besides the ISC, the UARs, Libya, Laos, and Spyr, and have been shown to be effective interceptors when incorporated into an overall air defense network.

Some 50 examples will be recieved directly from the Igovian Soviet Commonwealth, and as many as two hundred might be built by HAL. These will all at some point recieve domestic modifications, including provision for the IAF-standard R-73I AAM and BK-27 aircraft cannon, and may also see an avionics upgrade.

Construction Started on Cruiser

The Union Shipyards at Diu have started construction of the first of two Durg-class light cruisers, INS Sindhudurg. Using captured Bonstockian machinery obtained from the People's Republic of Spyr, Diu Union Shipyards plans to complete the project within six months, deemed soon enough for the vessels to participate in the tail-end of fighting in Europe, Africa, or Indonesia. Durg-class cruisers will be the largest warships ever constructed in the Indian National Union, although the Soviet Utopia-class Battleships are by a safe margin the largest combat vessels built on the subcontinent itself. Unlike the Utopias, the Durg Class is meant to operate with battlegroups at long distance, providing unarmored escorts with support against enemy cruisers and battleships where land-based aircraft and missiles are not present in force. They do, though, fulfill an important defensive function, and are also meant to combat Roycelandian dreadnoughts in the Indian Ocean.

Although the Durg Class is slightly younger than the Soviet Chainmail Class of cruisers, the Union warships are altogether more conventional in their design, looking more like something from the Second World War with their forward superstructures and twin funnels. They also carry heavy torpedoes as their main armament, a throwback to the early days of Dreadnought warfare, but not entirely useless with the ressurection of the battleship. The Union cruisers will still carry a useful missile load, with 56 SAMs and 8 ASMs carried ready to fire. This weapons loadout is not altogether certain, and additional VLS cells may very well be added before the Sindhudurg takes to the water.

Light Cruiser, -Durg Class
Displacement: 9,500t light, 11,000t full
Length: 179m
Beam: 16.7m
Draught: 5m
Propulsion: 4 Type 14B Gas Turbines (64,000 shp), 4 Type 6F Diesel Cruise Engines (17,000 shp), 2 Type 17A Electric Motors (6,000 shp)
Speed: 34 knots
Range: 2,000km at 34 knots, 12,000km at 20 knots
Complement: 570
Armament:
Guns: 2x2 6" QF Mk.N5 Automatic Dual-Purpose Mount, 4x40mm CIWS Single Mount, 4x23mm AA Positions
Missiles: 2x8-cell VLS silos 610mm; BrahMos ASM, Mangonel LACM
2x16-cell VLS silos 180mm; PAADS-1/2 SAM
Torpedoes: 2x4 650mm Fuyu 2F/670mm Type 4A Torpedo Tubes, 3x2 650mm Fuyu 2F/670mm Type 4A Torpedo Tubes
Antisubmarine: 2x4 Type 18D 340mm A/S Mortars
Countermeasures: 4x6 Type 16 130mm Aerial Decoy Launchers, 2x4 Type 15 210mm Acoustic Decoy Launchers, Radar Jammer, IR Scrambler, Radar Warning Reciever
Armor: 60mm main belt, 120mm turrets
Service: INS Sindhudurg (building), INS Derawar (planned)

(OCC: Sorry for reposting this. Some changes need to be made to it, and I can't log onto the forums as LRR, so...)

Union Defense Force

Structure

The Union Defense Force is an all-volunteer military that includes the Indian National Army, Indian Air Force, and Indian Navy. It prides itself on its record of professionalism and discipline, and places much value on ancient codes of honor and good conduct. Most INA officers and men treat noncombatant populations with the strict reverence and leniency demanded of them by Unioners, but slips and transgressions have been recorded.

Union Defense Force officers are elected by the local councils from where they came, and are generally forced to serve in the enlisted ranks before being eligible for officer selection. The Ministry of Defense, made up of sixty ministers elected from the districts, oversees military funding and procurement, and is responsible for strategic planning.

Forces are organized into three very broad and somewhat poorly-defined Corps, each one commanded and coordinated by a Field Marshal. The Field Marshal commands units of all three Parliamentary armed services in the Corps' area of responsibility. I Corps is charged with the protection of the Indian National Union's frontier with North Sienna and with occupation duties in Rajasthan. II Corps protects Sindh and the Punjab, and also contributes to the occupation of Rajasthan. It has recently been ordered to plan for operations within Kashmir. III Corps is what could be best described as a mobile reserve, composed mainly of light infantry divisions and based in Pune. It is generally used to cover the border with Goa and to protect the coastline. The Field Marshal of III Corps also holds the title of Grand Admiral, or alternatively Khan Marakkar, and commands the Indian Navy.

Composition

Not all Unioners are obliged to serve with the Union Defense Force in peacetime, although conscription has existed in the past and will likely be reinstated in the event of invasion. A strong sense of duty amongst the general populace encourages military service in at least some capacity, however, and most Indian men have wartime experience. This level of familiarity with serious warfare helps to make up for what is usually an equipment or numerical disadvantage. Generally, UDF personnel are quite well trained and have often seen combat, although the present war with France has triggered an influx of new recruits, most of whom have not served in the regular military before. Limited training infrastructure is the most serious obstacle to the raising of the new light infantry divisions commissioned by Parliament, although high-quality instructors are not in short supply.

In addition to regular formations there exists provision for militia units, most of which are active for only a few weeks of the year. Militias, raised by local councils, often see action in combating terrorists or other anti-Union militant groups, especially the hated Ranvir Sena. In the event of an invasion, militia formations would mount guerrilla attacks on enemy forces and act in support of the regular INA.

Indian National Army

The largest of the three UDF branches, the INA is also the senior service, and its Marshals serve as corps commanders. Like the UDF in general, its core formations are highly experienced and superbly trained, and a large pool of top-rate officers and NCOs helps to offset the rather limited training given to reservists and new recruits. Until recently the INA was a straight-leg force, and only began to acquire high levels of mechanization in the late 1970s. Armored Fighting Vehicles are still in relatively short supply, and the types that are in service generally do not compare well one-on-one with the best European tanks. Most INA soldiers are therefore truck-borne, but this has not proven to be such an extreme limitation given the primarily defensive nature of the army's operations, and the excellent anti-tank weaponry in use.

Approximately 275,000 INA personnel serve full-time. This total includes the Armored Corps, most of the Mechanized Infantry Corps, and a handful of Light Infantry divisions. The remainder, some 240,000, serve as trained reservists, active for several months each year and included along with full-time formations in annual combined-arms maneuvers.

Operating the INA's force of around 1,100 main battle tanks is the Armored Corps, consisting of four Armored Divisions (1st-4th). One division is allocated to each corps, with the exception of II Corps, which operates two. Being the least deployable of all the INA's divisions, units from the Armored Corps have seen less combat than the rest of the army since the termination of the Indo-Bedgellen war, and operational skills are kept sharp by annual combined-arms exercises in Maharashtra. Vital in the Armored Divisions are the highly mobile anti-tank units, equipped with ATGWs, recoilless rifles, and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. These train to operate alongside tank squadrons, and help to offset the disadvantages imposed by the Armored Corps' largely outdated or under-armored equipment. Most of the Armored Corps drives the MT-2 Nag (Hindi for Cobra), a vehicle roughly comparable to the Russian T-90, but there exists in service a number of more modern MT-3 Peripatus, perhaps equivalent to the Leopard 2A4, and fewer re-gunned, heavily upgraded Centurion/75s. The 40th Division is scheduled to become the INA's next armored unit, and will likely be equipped with the Centurion/75.

The Mechanized Infantry comprises nine divisions (5th-8th, 10th-12th, 16th, 17th) and the majority of the INA's full-time component. Most troops are transported in tracked or wheeled armored personnel carriers and have as much offensive capability as the Armored Corps. Mechanized Infantry divisions contain potent anti-tank and anti-aircraft units, allowing them to hold their own against modern tanks in battle without having to rely on the usually overstretched Armored Corps. Mechanized Infantry divisions usually include 20,000 personnel or more, and are the foundation of an INA corps. Four are allocated to I and II Corps, and the remaining single unit serves with III Corps. Only two divisions, the 10th and the 16th, are reservist units, but another two mechanized infantry formations, the
53rd and 54th, will in all likelihood be raised as part of the UDF's mobilization program, although their duties will probably not see them leave the Indian Subcontinent.

Light Infantry Divisions, highly flexible and deployable, although certainly lacking in firepower, form the bulk of the INA's strength. These primarily truck-borne units are limited in their offensive capability against tank-dominant opposition, but can maneuver in difficult terrain and have far less demanding logistical requirements. The INA operates some 22 light infantry divisions (18th-39th), each numbering about 11,000 personnel, though this number is, by global standards, closer to a brigade. Of all the INA formations they have seen the most activity overseas, serving in the Malacca War, the Unification War, and the war in Eritrea, and also formed the bulk of the INA's contribution to the Nepalese Defensive War. I and II Corps each have eight Light Infantry divisions at their disposal, and III Corps has six. 17 out of the 22 Light Infantry divisions are reserve formations. Another 25 Light Infantry divisions (41st-52nd, 54th-68th) are scheduled to be raised as well for operations within the Indian Subcontinent.

There also exist commando and parachute infantry formations in the INA. Parliament has at its disposal five parachute brigades (159th, 233rd, 41st, 25th and 86th), each about 5,000 strong. Parachute formations, although certainly trained in their official role, are more often employed as rapid-reaction forces, deployable on very short notice and able to operate effectively without much heavy equipment. Paras did, however, execute a parachute drop during the restoration of Derek Igomo to the Lusakan presidency and as part of the operation to take-over the Moluccas in Indonesia. Though mostly reliant on light trucks and jeeps for motorized transport, the paras operate small armored squadrons with armored cars and light tanks. Three commando regiments (1st-3rd) and one independent battalion (4th Igovian) are on strength, all part of III Corps. All these formations have seen steady combat since their formation in the late 1940s, mostly as raiding units, and they often conduct operations alongside the Corps of Marines. Commandos are parachute-qualified and generally have their pick of weapons and infantry equipment.

Indian Air Force

The IAF contains some of the best, most experienced fighter pilots that the world has available, IAF squadrons having seen heavy combat during the Indo-Bedgellen War, the Unification War, the Malacca War, and the Nepalese Defensive War. Training facilities and instructors are likewise excellent, although the massive influx of new pilots owing to the equally substantial supply of new equipment has put much strain on the system. It is however quite likely that the IAF will for some time be able to produce high-quality pilots, given that the UDF has, next to European militaries, come nowhere near its full potential in terms of manpower. Like most of the UDF, the modern IAF's primary focus is on the defense of the Indian Subcontinent and friendly territory elsewhere in Asia, so there lacks much capability for independent long-distance deployments. Nonetheless the IAF has played an important and successful role in Asian conflicts as of late, for instance knocking-out early warning radars and airfields in the Sakishima Islands during the Malacca War with Buccaneer strike aircraft.

Essential to the IAF in India is the Home Defense Line, a system of ground-based radars and Marathon AEW aircraft. The cornerstone of the Home Defense Line is the Indian Long Range Surveillance Radar, an over-the-horizon array of some eight receiver-transmitter stations and perhaps twice as many decoys, along with dozens of transponders and ionosondes. This advanced early-warning radar has a reported range approaching 4,000 kilometers from the borders of the Indian National Union, and can detect stealth aircraft from their wake turbulence. Smaller radar stations and mobile arrays provide more local early warning and targeting information. Indeed, the IAF's primary mission is the defense of Indian airspace, be it from Depkazi, Combine, or (formerly) Bedgellen incursion, bombing having always played second fiddle. A highly capable fleet of air defense aircraft is kept on register, the cornerstone of which is the extremely modern F.4 FGA4. Since the end of the Indo-Bedgellen War, IAF strength has drastically declined, accounting for some several hundred fighter aircraft where there were once several thousands. IAF doctrine calls for the air force to be capable of defeating at least the air wing of a hostile carrier group, but that has since proven somewhat inadequate as Mumbai finds itself drawn into major wars far from Indian shores. A crash re-armament program is underway, which should put at least 600 first-rate fighter aircraft in the IAF inventory, plus around 350 second-rate types, many of those built for export. Though currently equipped with no stealth aircraft of its own, the IAF can, at least on paper, engage any aircraft, even the B-2, the F-22 or the PAK FA with any fighter type equipped with data sharing pods, even radar-less F.4 GR.2s. This helps to negate the technology advantage held by many of the IAF's prospective opponents, although the radar sites themselves are far from invisible and can be bombed or otherwise attacked.

But far more essential to the IAF's operational success is an extremely high standard of pilot training and generally superb levels of experience where the core fighter squadrons are concerned. The relatively small size of the IAF's fast jet fleet during the past decade allowed the UDF to devote an inordinate amount of time and funds to training programs. Flight hours are generally kept up, and at least once a year every IAF squadron participates in some form of large-scale combined arms military exercise. Adversarial air combat training, implemented in the 1970s, continues to be an essential part of the fighter pilot curriculum, especially important for those without previous experience flying in battle. All IAF fliers are very well trained and benefit from high flight hours, coupled with an excellent ground support system. Recent expansion in the air force fleet has put a slight strain on the UDF's capabilities, but, overall, pilot quality remains excellent, with many sectors of the IAF markedly superior to their international counterparts.

Anti-shipping is an important mission for the IAF as well. Five squadrons fly the Tornado GR.1 in that role and another two employ the Springer, both supersonic platforms with good payload. Equipped with the Brahmos anti-ship missile, IAF anti-shipping squadrons are theoretically capable of sinking any warship afloat, and when they operate from the Indian coastline they figure into home defense strategy quite heavily. Close air support duties are the focus of eight Springer squadrons and four F.4 squadrons. Neither of these platforms are perfect for the job, they both having been designed for interdiction missions, but superior pilot training generally manages to offset technical limitations. A large, if largely outdated, transport arm flies in support of ground troops also, and operates a variety of fixed and rotary-wing types.

Indian Navy

The modern day Indian Navy isn't quite what it once was, in terms of numbers and in terms of equipment. Certainly if that were the case Paris would be burning and Union gunboats would be shelling St. Petersburg. Post(Indo-Bedgellen)war downsizing left Parliament with a fleet significantly smaller than what dominated the Bedgellen navy, but a capable and well-trained force regardless. Most IN captains today served with the fleet for at least some of the Indo-Bedgellen War, or held a command post and proved themselves during the Malacca War. This gives the Indian Navy something of an advantage in terms of experience over its European rivals, whose commanders might have seen one or two major engagements during their terms of service. Geared towards operations in Asia and the Indian Ocean, and until recently coastal operations, the IN lacks very much in the way of deployment capability. Tankers and stores ships are fewer in number than would be desired, and therefore operations cannot be undertaken very far from a friendly port. Still, the Indian Navy, like its Soviet and Strainist counterparts, is well-equipped to take on battleship-centric Western navies, with advanced anti-ship missiles and heavy torpedoes. Aging equipment is perhaps the biggest problem facing the Indian Navy today, and Parliament scrambles to find replacements for the many important warships whose operational lives are fast drawing towards their conclusion.

Unioners were fortunate to have acquired a number of aircraft carriers fairly early-on and easily, thus giving the Indian Navy a distinct advantage over its rivals during the first few decades of its existence. A pair of Majestic-class carriers, Vikrant and Vijay, brought their air wings to bear against the carrier-less Bedgellens with devastating results. With the scrapping of Viraat, ex-HMS Hermes, the IN has found itself without a proper fleet carrier, having to make do instead with less adequate Invincible-class escort carriers. The Navy still operates a capable Fleet Air Arm, equipped with both early and late-mark Harriers, multi-role Sea Kings, Westland Lynxes, and HAL Dhruvs, although the Sea Harrier in particular has yet to be tested against the Rafale or the Eurofighter and the aged Harrier's prospects do not appear terribly good. Aviation elements also operate off the large submarine tenders Galle and Marmagao, whose dimensions do not compare poorly with those of an aircraft carrier.

Recently the IN has been forced to undertake long-range operations, the likes of which it is not and was not entirely designed for. In large part the UDF still views its navy in the context of the Indo-Bedgellen War, as a destroyer-focused coastal defense arm, able to dominate in the Indian Ocean but not meant to range at all widely. It was only in the mid-1990s, after all, that the bulk of the WWII-era 'proper destroyers' were retired, and some even went on to fight in the Malacca War. Aircraft carriers are lacking, as is support shipping, something deemed a lesser priority when IN warships were operating mostly from Marimaian or Spyrian base facilities, and when battles took place more locally. The necessity of bringing more hulls into service has also been demonstrated by the heavy numerical superiority held by Holy League forces.

Like all the UDF, heavy emphasis is placed on training and crew skill, often at the expense of advanced equipment and modern warships. IN vessels participate at least once a year in large combined-arms maneuvers, where they practice, for the most part, anti-invasion tactics and anti-submarine warfare. Most IN captains have seen battle at least once in their career, and for younger officers and ratings this is generally the Malacca War. A significant proportion of IN personnel, though, fought in the Indo-Bedgellen War, some since the 1960s, and as such the IN counts itself in possession of some of the world's most highly experienced and highly decorated naval commanders.

Indian National Union Defense Force: Strength and Equipment Overview

Indian National Army: 514,241 (including 28,000 Parachute Infantry, 3,500 Commandos) (1,014,241 after mobilization)
Indian Air Force: 98,503 (175,503 after mobilization)
Indian Navy: 118,640 (including 15,000 Marines) (250,000 after mobilization)
Parliamentary Constabulary: 7,534 (including 150 Commandos)
Militia: potentially several million

Indian National Army Equipment

Individual Weapons
-Type 27 Blast/Fragmentation Grenade
-7.62x51mm 1A SLR/1B SLR/L1A1 Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm Lee Enfield 2A1 Rifle
-7.62x51mm L42A1 Marksman's Rifle
-6.5x50mm Ishapore INSAS-1 Assault Rifle
-7.62x39mm AKM/AK-47 Assault Rifle (Captured)*
-7.62x39mm SKS Self-Loading Rifle (Captured)
-7.62x63mm Garand M1 Rifle (Captured)
-7.62x33mm M1 Carbine (Captured)
-7.62x51mm Bren L4A4 LMG
-6.5x50mm Ishapore INSAS-3 LMG
-7.62x63mm Browning Automatic Rifle (Captured)
-9x19mm Sterling 1A2/L2A3 SMG
-9x19mm Sten L50/L51/L52 SMG
-9.3x21mm BRES Weasel SMG
-9x19mm Madsen m/50 SMG (Captured)
-9x19mm M3A1 SMG (Captured)
-9x19mm Browning L9A1 Automatic Pistol
-9.3x21mm Dag D41 Automatic Pistol
-.38 Enfield No.2 Revolver

*Captured small arms were mostly acquired from the stocks of the overthrown Rajput rulers in Rajasthan. They equip Rajasthani militia and border guard units.

Crew-Served and Other Weapons
-7.62x51mm/6.5x50mm 2A1/2A2 MG
-12.7x108mm NSV HMG
-14.5x114mm KPV HMG
-UOF M.120 120mm Mortar
-UOF M.82 82mm Mortar
-UOF M.51 51mm Mortar
-UOF R(AT).40 (RPG-7) Anti-Tank Grenade Projector (in production)
-Fossa Short-range ATGW (on order)
-8,300 GR(AT).18 Guided Anti-Tank Rocket Posts (in production)
-4,400 GR(AT).40 Guided Anti-Tank Rocket Posts (in production)
-UOF R.73 Recoilless Rifle
-L6 WOMBAT 120mm Recoilless Rifle

Tanks
-200 MT-3 Peripatus MBTs
-1,530 MT-2 Nag MBTs (650 on order)
-286 Centurion/75 MBTs
-1,639 FV101/102/107 Scout Tanks/ATGW carriers

Armored Infantry Carriers
-1,682 IC.3/CAPC-1 Tracked IFVs (1,000 in production)
-3,102 IC.2 Tracked APCs (incl. engineer, command, mortar carrier, ambulance, anti-tank, radar carrier variants) (1,000 in production)
-4,560 IC.1 Wheeled APCs (incl. command, mortar carrier, ambulance, anti-tank, anti-aircraft, engineer variants)
-469 Centurion Kangaroo Heavy APCs

Armored Cars
-2,561 FV714 Ferret Scout Cars
-790 Daimler Dingo Scout Cars
-1,103 AC.4 Antitank Cars
-1,840 ACV-IP Wheeled Carriers
-748 FV721 Fox Armored Scout Cars

Artillery
-550 G.152A (SPG-2) 152mm SPHs
-129 R.122 122mm MRLs
-206 R.214/Pinaka 214mm MRLs
-590 G.105B 105mm Towed Howitzers (in production)
-320 R.130 130mm Towed MRLs (in production)
-581 Ordnance QF 25-pounder Towed Howitzers
-487 G(AT).75 75/105mm High Velocity Antitank Guns (in production)

Air Defense
-1,230 Javelin Man-Portable SAM launchers
-449 Starstreak Man-Portable SAM launchers (in production)
-221 Rapier FSC Towed SAM launchers (in production)
-187 Akash-1 Self-propelled SAM launchers (in production)
-103 Akash-2 Self-propelled SAM launchers (in production)
-10 IS-200 fixed SAM launchers
-403 40mm Bofors L/70 Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
-4,340 20mm Polsten Towed Anti-Aircraft Guns
-12 CS-400 SAM launchers (on order)

Specialist Vehicles
-80 Centurion Obstacle Clearance Vehicles
-46 Centurion Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges
-93 Centurion Armored Recovery Vehicles
-51 T-55 Engineer Utility Vehicles
-Type 15 Motor Ferry
-Sarvatra Truck-Laid Bridge
-Pinaka Support/Reloader Vehicle
-Samyukta Jammer
-Samyukta DF Station

Logistical Vehicles
-4x4 Unimog U406s
-4x4 Land Cruiser J40s
-4x4 Mahindra All-Terrains
-4x4 Mahindra Type 160s
-6x6 Mahindra Type 315s
-8x8 Mahindra Type 332s
-10x10 Mahindra Type 400s
-4x2 Mahindra 407s

Indian Air Force Equipment

Fighter-Bombers
-275 F.11s (265 on order)
-152 F.4FGA.4s
-410 F.4FGA.2s (306 on order)
-73 F.4GR.2s (20 on order)
-50 Tornado GR.1s
-157 Springer GR.2s
-28 Jaguar IS
-250 Golkonda FRS.1s
-5 PC-7s (Special Duties)
-4 G.91Rs (Special Duties) (Captured)

AEW&C Platforms
-4 Marathon AEW.1s

Reconnaissance
-20 F(J).4PR.3s
-8 Canberra Mk.67s
-10 SB7 Seekers

Electronic Countermeasures
-6 Canberra B(I).58Es
-28 F.4EW.1s
-4 Andover Mk.92s

Tankers
-4 Marathon K.1s

Helicopters
-132 Mi-8/17/171s
-10 Merlin HC.3s
-134 Dhruv HC.1s
-80 Gazelle AH.3s

Transports
-20 HS-748 Andovers
-37 Boxkite C(TP).7s
-15 Marathon C.1s (7 building)
-10 Dornier Do-28 Skyservants
-45 Twin Pioneers
-3 Tu-154s
-6 DC-3s (Special Duties)
-5 L-410s (Special Duties)
-2 An-14s (Special Duties)
-2 DHC-4s (Special Duties)
-1 Yak-40 (Special Duties)
-8 Twin Pioneers (Special Duties)

Trainers
-69 F(J).4T.2s (8 on order)
-50 Golkonda T.1s (25 on order)
-10 Jaguar IBs
-15 Hawk Mk.60s
-158 FT.10s (40 on order)
-200 PC-7s
-238 Bulldog 131s
-36 Dhruv TH.1s
-4 Canberra T.Mk.17s
-3 Fouga Magisters (Special Duties) (Captured)

Indian Navy Equipment

Corvettes & Patrol Ships
-26 Bengal Class Corvettes (Graeme Igo, Bengal, Balaghat, Barwani, Betul, Chhatarpur, Damoh, Ignatius Dewanto, Hoshangabad, Jhabua, Narsinghpur, Rajgarh, Sagar, Shajapur, Tikamgarh, Vidisha, Chilka, Kolleru, Loktak, Dal, Sambhar, Sasthamkotta, Tawa, Vastrapur, Veeranam, Bharuch, Vadodara) (22 in service, 4 building)
-15 Chhattisgarh Class Patrol Gunboats/Minehunters (Jamnagar, Veravat, Chhattisgarh, Ambikapur, Baltistan, Aurangabad, Silvassa, Mahabaleshwar, Hafizabad, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Jhelum, Gujranwala, Ubaro, Jabalpur)
-45 Lion Class Submarine Chasers (Lion, Brave, Bombard, Daring, Rover, Loyal, Resolute, Dauntless, Battle, Yeoman, Hill Fort, Fearless, Stalwart, Agile, Citizen, Sword, Redoubtable, Grenadier, Superb, Attack, Ferocious, Rapid, Steadfast, Irate, Raider, Chandra, Vivacious, Zeal, Zest, Pa, Rampart, Chieftain, Terrible, Activity, Admiral, Warrior, Lightning, Surprise, Javelin, Hero, Noble, Relentless, Guerrilla, Sapper, Success) (6 in service, 16 building, 23 planned)
-4 Type 21 Patrol Ships (P89, P90, P91, P92)

Antisubmarine Frigates
-9 Leander Class (Ahmadabad, Quetta, Gwadar, Islamabad, Calcutta, Mumbai, Gilgit, Colombo, Jaipur)
-1 Type 81 (Mohawk)
-9 Gauntlet Class (Rudradaman, Kanhoji Angre, Haidar Ali, Kunjali Marakkar, Rani of Jhansi, Muhammad bin Qasim, Jawan, Garuda, Golkonda) (3 laid-down, 4 planned, 2 for ISC)

General Warfare Frigates
-6 Broadsword Class (Lothai, Dwarka, Solapur, Khandwa, Srivardhan, Parbhani)
-7 Bodkin Class (Vijay, Vikram, Vajra, Rakshak, Trishul, Bahadur, Sawaj)

Destroyers
-7 Sheffield Class (Diu, Pondicherry, Goa, Jaisalmer, Zhob, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan)
-1 Battle Class (Cadiz)
-4 Punjab (Munak) Class (Khanewal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sialkot, Jaranwala) (4 planned)

Submarines
-10 Bihar Class SSKs (Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Allahbad, Bihar, Turbat, Pasni, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Jalor, Chittaurgarh)
-4 Paroe Class SSGNs (Paroe, Pal, Qalbat, Sarkhel) (4 planned)

Aviation Ships
-1 Invincible Class Escort Carrier (Dadra & Nagar Haveli)

Cruisers
-1 Tiger Class (Blake)
-2 Durg (Fort) Class (Sindhudurg, Derawar)

Monitors
-2 Zanzibar Class (Timor, Miyako Jima)

Support Ships
-4 Aditya Class Replenishment Ships (Aditya, Sutlej, Akbar, Satpura) (3 in service, 1 planned)
-8 Jyoti Class Fleet Oilers (Jyoti, Gajaraj, Deccan, Parishad, Subroto, Vindhya, Kalsubai, Taramati) (2 in service, 6 planned)
-2 Galle Class Submarine Tenders (Galle, Marmagao)
-2 Guwahali Class Forward Repair Ships (Guwahali, Jodhpur)
-3 Kanniyakumari Class Hospital Ships (Amarkantak, Anatapur, Rajahmundry)
-2 Itanagar Class Hospital Ships (Itanagar, Golapur on Sea)
-2 Auxiliary Troop Transports (Cochin, Konkan)
-5 Auxiliary Sealift Ships (Sandalwood, Teak, Babul, Shola, Pipal)
-4 Auxiliary Support Tankers (Flamingo, Flycatcher, Pigeon, Hornbill)
-56 Assorted Tugs, Salvage Vessels, Training Ships, Tenders, Rescue Launches, Coastal Minesweepers
-24 Assorted Armed Motor Launches, Coastal Gunboats
-17 Auxiliary Transports and Freighters

Amphibious Assault Ships
-2 Fearless Class (Bandavgarh, Karaikai)
-5 Kaveri/River Class (Kaveri, Godavari, Dudhana, Sabarmati, Damanganga)

Mine Warfare Ships
-12 Pondicherry Class (Badin, Dadu, Ghotki, Jacobabad, Jamshoro, Kamber, Matiari, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Tando Muhammad Khan, Shikarpur, Umerkot)
-2 Daring Class (Chennai, Pune)

Survey Ships
-1 Paradip Class (Paradip)
-1 Vishakhapatnam Class (Vishakhapatnam)
-2 Trincomalee Class (Trincomalee, Trivandrum)
-1 Karavatti Class (Karavatti)

Fleet Air Arm
-10 Sea Harrier FRS.51s (pending withdrawal)
-9 Sea Harrier FA2s
-9 Sea Harrier T.4s
-20 Hawk Mk.60s
-4 Shackleton MR.5s (pending withdrawal)
-2 Marathon MR.1s
-5 HS-748 Coastguarders
-7 BN-2D Defenders
-24 Dhruv HAS.1s
-29 Sea King Mk.42s
-22 Merlin HM Mk.1s
-17 Lynx Mk.86s
-10 Lynx Mk.95s

[If this is in the wrong place, tell me and I'll remove it]

Newly-elected VP James Chang has asked for a meeting with a representative of Hindustan in order to establish official ties between China and Hindustan and to discuss recent geopolitical affairs in central Asia and Indonesia, notably the Chingis problem and the war.

He would become the first Chinese official to set foot in Hindustan in official capacity.

Parliament quickly approves the Chinese request, eager to gauge the new government in Beijing and eager to talk about the current situation in and around Kashmir. A reception committee is prepared to meet Chang upon his arrival in Mumbai, where he will be invited to address the Parliamentary Assembly and doubtless taken to review the capital's defenses.

Hopefully, the visit will lead to a closer relationship between the Indian National Union and China, two nations that have historically been at odds.

Parliament Enacts Defense Reorganization

Despite ongoing efforts aimed at the modernization of the Indian National Army, the INU's defense forces are, in large part, still equipped for warfare in the 1970s or 1980s, and remains, even with the inclusion of irregular forces, significantly outnumbered by the armies maintained by bordering nations. For these reasons, Parliamentary Commissions have been consistently unable to rate the INA as sufficient to prevent major territorial loss in the event of a hostile overland invasion. With the Armandian Combine still regarded as a less than trustworthy entity, and with Chingiz Khagan gathering power at an alarming rate, Parliament has decided to undertake a long-postponed reorganization program.

The most important element of the reorganization will be the abolition of the irregular and auxiliary army units. UIC troops will be reclassified as reservists rather than irregulars, under the same chain of command as the regular Indian National Army. Some 18 full light infantry divisions will be created out of the 240,000-some irregulars in Sindh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Union Territories, along with eight independent brigades. Questions in the Punjab over secession from the INU, and Balochistan's impending soveriegnty, leave those areas out of Parliament's plans. If things go according to schedule, the Union Irregular Corps' hodgepodge of small arms will largely be replaced by the 7.62x51mm L1A1 service rifle and L4A4 light machine gun, still standard issue for most INA units. But with the cessation of L1A1 production in favor of the INSAS, it is reasonable to expect that many of the reserve light infantry divisions will continue to make use of the 2A1 Rifle for some time, at least until enough of the full-time army has been re-equipped with the INSAS to generate a reasonable surplus of SLRs.

A single parachute infantry brigade and a single marine infantry brigade will also be formed from the UIC, drawing on the more experienced irregular troops, especially those who saw action in Rajasthan. There is also serious talk of raising a Soviet division, from demobilized soldiers in the former ISC. Perhaps the promise of regular work and wages, plus the likelihood of seeing action, will serve to convince some troops to re-enlist with the INA, although nobody is about to hold their breath.

The Indian Air Force Auxiliary is also slated for absorbtion into the regular IAF, a force that seriously lacks in terms of numbers next to its nearest rivals. Auxiliary squadrons will either fall under the IAF's command, or they will become part of the Parliamentary Constabulary, a force that has always cooperated closely with both the UIC and the IAuxAF. This brings the IAF's strength close to 100,000, a number that is only likely to grow as new pilots and technicians are trained to man Golkonda and Marathon aircraft. No great changes in terms of equipment are planned, except for the introduction of the F(J).11 multirole fighter once its development is completed.

Having long made due with insufficient numbers, the Indian Navy will in all probability be allowed to recruit as many as 10,000 additional personnel, although, as has always been the case, a great many of these will become coastwatchers or hold other part-time responsibilities. The issue of a replacement for the IN's Leander-class frigates will also be addressed, and already there is talk of replacing them with a high-speed A/S vessel not unlike the Royal Navy's cancelled Type 19.

Parliament quickly approves the Chinese request, eager to gauge the new government in Beijing and eager to talk about the current situation in and around Kashmir. A reception committee is prepared to meet Chang upon his arrival in Mumbai, where he will be invited to address the Parliamentary Assembly and doubtless taken to review the capital's defenses.

Hopefully, the visit will lead to a closer relationship between the Indian National Union and China, two nations that have historically been at odds.

Chang's arrival in Mumbai is a low key affair - the media more keen to make news of the supposed confrontation between Washington and Beijing amid fears of a socialist China. Accompanying him are several low-ranked diplomats who would ask around and try to learn from Mumbai's handling of labour laws and worker's rights, knowledge of which seems to be in hot demand back in China at the moment. For now, Chang would focus on issues of foreign affairs and defence, and also try to get something concrete on working towards better relations.

Chang was in fact well impressed with what the INU had managed on their budget. He noted to himself that perhaps China's planned naval downsizing could yield revenue if the INU were granted the neccesary legal permits to purchase Chinese arms.

On the issue of Depkazia, Chang asks his counterpart about something slightly different - the Indian position on Afghanistan's future government.

Chang is met at Parliament House by Narmad Chaudhary, an MP from Madhya Pradesh, someone better-equipped than usual to answer Chang's questions and address his concerns.

Depkazia is, of course, a major concern for Mumbai, and distrust of Chingiz Khagan is likely shared by both Chang and Chaudhary. However, Parliament has experienced something of a change of heart since the the outright rejection of Gulsana Turbeskova's diplomatic mission. Perhaps, says Chaudhary, if Chingiz stops thinking that his neighbors are his enemies, he will be inclined to moderate his administration. A policy of "constructive engagement" might, therefore, be worthwhile, but Mumbai would very much like to hear Beijing's thoughts on the matter.

As for Afghanistan, Parliament can't presently see much of a government. Elian special forces had more or less driven what stood for a national authority out of the capital, sending Mullah Omar, supposed head of state, into hiding. Since then, nobody credible had moved to fill the space in the capital. Mumbai would like to see, says Chaudhary, an independent Afghanistan with a stable central government, as would everybody, more likely than not, but that does not seem possible any more. Dostum and Rabbani control the northern part of the country with Depkazi help, while the Taliban and Indonesian volunteers fight the Combine, the INU, and North Pakistani opium traders. If there is hope for state formation, it will take quite an effort before it bears fruit. Chaudhary suggests that China and the INU propose a summit on the subject of Afghanistan, to be attended by the involved parties, and with the goal of drawing-up something approaching an agreement on the future of divided Afghanistan.

Chang could not disagree more when he spoke out about Depkazia.

"A year ago, the Combine, China and Depkazia agreed to what was effective a partition amongst ethnic lines with Depkazia receiving administration of the portion with Turkic presence, with Depkazia agreeing to allow Chinese peacekeeping forces to adminster Eastern Afghanistan. The agreement was violated, and we were patient.

Unfortunately, they percieved our patience as a sign of weakness and now stand on the brink of invading Kashmir and the rest of Afganistan while staring greedily at Xinjiang."

"It is of my opinion that the man [Chingis] cannot be trusted. He is far too ambitious and ruthless. We have been patient, allowing his invasion of East Pakistan to go uncondemned and we were wrong."

Chaudhary could by no means claim to have more experience in dealing with Depkazia, so he nods in agreement with Chang's words. The Chinese certainly had past dealings with Chingiz Khagan, and had been bitten when the self-proclaimed Caliph embarked upon a policy program very much his own. But, says Chaudhary, unlike Beijing, Mumbai cannot afford to have a hostile Depkazia on its border, with so much invested in the African war and with the internal situation in the ISC still somewhat uncertain.

Mumbai, too, says Chaudhary, does not trust Chingiz, and believes him to be a power-hungry opportunist, quite possibly out to emulate the achievements of Babur, the first Mughal emperor and a native of Central Asia. But with newly-independent Balochistan seeking closer ties with the Khaganate, and with portions of the Punjab once again making worrying noises, a settlement now seems to many more agreeable than a war not much later. And a war with Depkazia is not one that the INA immediately seems likely to win. Depkazia, Chaudhary notes, still occupies a useful position along Russia's south-central border, tying-down hundreds of thousands of fighting men that could be in Nigeria or in the Baltic Republics. To weaken Depkazia greatly would be to allow the Tsar more liberty with his large army, and continued isolation of Samarkand might just drive Chingiz, ever the pragmatist, into the arms of Tsarist Russia.

None the less, Chaudhary acknowledges Beijing's longer exposure to Depkazia and concedes that Chang's analysis is likely better-informed than that of a majority of Parliamentarians.

Jumhuriyah Balochistan (http://www.ostomaan.org/images/Balochistan_E_Berak.gif)

The Democratic Republic of Balochistan is the Indian Subcontinent's newest independent nation, although the length of time that it will spend as such is highly questionable. Balochistan contains a diverse population, made up of several different ethnic groups, Pashtun and Baloch tribesmen forming the majority. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Makran has so far proven able to keep this ethnic fabric together through compromise and agreement.

Nation

Population: 7,167,554 citizens
Name (Official): Democratic Republic of Balochistan
Name (Short Form): Balochistan (Baluchistan)
Abbreviation: DRB

Nationality: Baloch, Balochi

Capital: Quetta

Other Major Cities: Khuzdar, Turbat, Chaman, Hub, Sibi, Zhob, Gwadar

Government Type: Parliamentary Democratic Republic

Administrative Divisions: 27 Districts; Awaran, Barkhan, Bolan, Chagai, Dera Bugti, Gwadar, Jafarabad, Jhal Magsi, Kalat, Kharan, Kohlu, Khuzdar, Qilla Abdullah, Qilla Saifullah, Lasbela, Loralai, Mastung, Musakhel, Nasirabad, Nushki, Panjgur, Pishin, Quetta, Sibi, Turbat, Zhob, Ziarat

Independence: 26 June 2006, from the Indian National Union

Executive Branch: Prime Minister Zulfiqar Makran (Head of State)
President Abdul Akbar Bakhsh Bizenjo (Head of Government)
Foreign Minister Sardar Sherbaz Khan Mazari
Minister of the Interior Shahid Rahman Mohmand
Minister of Justice Hussain Hassanzai
Minister of Finance Islam Karim Marwat

Government Departments: Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Public Works, Office of the Police Commissioner, National Rail Service, National Postal Service, Ministry of Development

Legislative Branch: 270-seat Parliament, unicameral

Political Parties: Balochistan National Rally (210 Seats), Pakistan People's Party (15 Seats), Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (20 Seats), Pakistan Clerical League (9 Seats), Unaffiliated (16 Seats)

Suffrage: 17 years of age, universal

Economy

GDP (2006): 34,540,000,000.00 USQ
GDP (Per Capita): 4,818.00 USQ

Electricity Production (By Source): Hydroelectric 54%, Fossil Fuels 31%, Imported 15%

Economic Aid Donor: The Democratic Republic of Balochistan has announced its willingness to assist in debt relief in Central America and is in the process of drawing-up an economic assistance program for the nations of Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti.

Natural Resources: Coal, Natural Gas, Minerals

Labor Force By Occupation: Agriculture 44%, Industry 25%, Services 31%

Industries: Heavy Equipment Manufacturing, Mining & Extraction, Construction, Aerospace Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, Glass Making

Agricultural Products: Apples, Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Grapes, Dates, Soybeans, Cattle, Poultry, Fish

Export Commodities: Coal, Natural Gas, Minerals, Glass, Fruits, Heavy Equipment, Aerospace Equipment, Transport Equipment

Import Commodities: Electricity, Electrical Equipment, Manufacturing Equipment, Electronics, Metals

Important Trade Partners: Indian National Union, Sweden, Nicaragua, Depkazia (?), Armandian Combine (?), Syria (?)

Currency: Baloch Rupee, Union Rupee

Communication

Telephones, Main Lines in Use: 674,432

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 43, FM 35, Shortwave 21

Television Stations: 4

International Issues

-The Balochi Army is currently engaged in an expedition to capture the city of Kandahar and secure the surrounding areas, ostensibly in order to destroy Taliban elements that have historically threatened the border. This puts Balochistan at odds with the relatively powerful Taliban faction in Afghanistan and promotes rivalry with the Armandian Combine and the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, both of which also have designs on Kandahar.

-Chingiz Khagan of Depkazia has shown a very strong desire to incorporate Balochistan into the Khaganate of Depkazia, following the successful conquest of North Pakistan, and although this proposal enjoys strong support from several sectors, Balochistan's large Pashtun community is very much opposed. A referendum on union with Depkazia is scheduled to be held in the near future.

Illicit Drugs: Balochistan's sparsely-populated, and even more sparingly patrolled, mountains and deserts are favorite routes for narcotics traffickers, who can move relatively large quantities of narcotics without great risk of detection. Many Balochi Khans and former royals engage in the drug trade and have become rich through the sale of opium and heroin on the European and Quinntonian markets. A major concern for the new government will be the effective curtailment of the drug trade and the successful prosecution of drug traffickers, many of who command sizable private armies.

Arms Trafficking: Balochistan is used by arms dealers and smugglers for the same reason as it is used by narcotics traffickers. Weaponry made in the former North Pakistan is often smuggled across the border and shipped to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia, as well as Balochistan itself. Foreign-made equipment is also brought to the former North Pakistan and Afghanistan via the same routes.

Defense

Balochistan Army

Balochistan's army is, in regional terms, a small force, although its numbers are currently swelled owing to commitments in Afghanistan and the temporary incorporation of Afghan Balochis into its ranks. While highly experienced and skilled at guerrilla fighting and low-intensity conflict, the Balochistan Army suffers from acute shortages of modern equipment and technology. Most men, for instance, still carry the Lee Enfield as their service rifle, and much communication is performed with the heliograph and Aldis lamp. Baloch infantrymen are trained to make the best use of the limited means at their disposal and the Army functions more like those found in Afghanistan than those found in Europe or the Americas. 25,000 troops from the Indian National Army's 3rd Front were transferred to the Balochistan Army, along with 20,000 men from the Union Irregular Corps. It is not known just how many men-at-arms the Balochistan Army commands at any one time, owing to its heavy use of irregular forces.
Recruitment: 45,320 (25,321)
Units: 1st Balochistan Armored Brigade (5,000)
2nd Brigade (Motorized Infantry) (5,000)
3rd Brigade (Light Infantry) (5,000)
4th Brigade (Light Infantry) (5,000)
Coastal Rangers Regiment (2,500)
Special Reconnaissance Regiment (2,500)
Kalat Mobile Force (Irregulars) (5,000)
7th Brigade (Irregulars) (5,000)
8th Brigade (Irregulars) (5,000)
9th Brigade (Irregulars) (5,000)

Equipment
-7.62x51mm L1A1 Assault Rifle
-7.62x51mm AG-3 Assault Rifle (Special Forces)
-.303 Lee-Enfield No.4 Rifle
-.303 Mk.3/4 Bren Gun
-.303 Browning Automatic Rifle
-9x19mm Sten Gun L52
-9x19mm Sterling Gun L2A3
-9x19mm Browning GP-35
-.38 Enfield No.2
-.455 Webley Mk.VI

-7.62x51mm L7 GPMG
-.303 Vickers Machine Gun
-.303 Vickers Gas Operated Machine Gun
-.303 Browning L3A4
-SBML 2-inch Light Mortar
-ML 3-inch Mortar
-UOF R.73 Recoilless Rifle
-L6 120mm Recoilless Rifle
-UOF GR(AT).18 Antitank Missile

-45 Centurion/75 MBTs
-89 FV101 Light Tanks

-330 IC.1 Armored Carriers
-250 FV432 Armored Carriers
-264 FV603 Armored Carriers
-153 FV714 Scout Cars
-89 ACV-IP Armored Carriers

-230 Ordnance 25-pounder Howitzers
-143 G.105 105mm Howitzers
-45 Land Mattress Multiple Rocket Launchers
-61 R.130 Multiple Rocket Launchers

-210 Javelin MANPADs
-46 RBS-70 MANPADs
-152 Bofors L/70 Antiaircraft Guns
-359 Bofors L/60 Antiaircraft Guns
-530 Polsten Guns

Balochistan Air Force

The Balochistan Air Force is, like the Army, a well-trained and experienced force that is necessarily kept small and rather under-equipped. Operations focus mainly on transport and resupply of army units, but a respectable ground attack and air defense component also exists, equipped with combat trainers.
Recruitment: 8,730
Units: No.1 Squadron (Transport) (Twin Pioneer)
No.2 Squadron (Transport) (Do-28 Skyservant)
No.3 Squadron (Helicopter Transport) (Mi-17/IAR-330)
No.4 Squadron (Training) (Bulldog)
No.5 Squadron (Training/Light Attack) (Jet Provost, Strikemaster)
No.6 Squadron (Attack) (Canberra)
No.7 Squadron (Air Defense) (HAL Flycatcher/HAL FT.10)
No.8 Squadron (Patrol) (Jetstream)
No.10 Squadron (Airfield Defense) (ACV-IP)
No.11 Squadron (Anti-Aircraft) (RBS-70)
No.12 Squadron (Anti-Aircraft) (Bofors L/70)
No.14 Squadron (Airfield Defense) (FV603)
No.15 Squadron (Forward Air Control)

Equipment
-14 Twin Pioneers
-8 Skyservants
-8 Mi-17s
-10 IAR-330Ls (6 on order)
-15 Bulldogs
-8 Jet Provosts
-8 Strikemaster Mk.80s (4 wfu)
-6 Canberra B(I).58s
-12 HAL FT.10s
-5 Jetstreams
-3 DC-3s
-10 J-22 Oraos (on order?)
-16 G-4 Super Galebs (on order?)

Balochistan Navy

Owing to the fact that most of the nation's potential enemies lie inland, the Balochistan Navy is a very small service focused on the protection of the nation's limited coastal infrastructure and the disruption of potentially hostile sea traffic in the Persian Gulf. Although currently composed of only a few missile and patrol boats, plus a pair of elderly frigates, there are plans for expansion and modernization, although these depend on the success of the port-building project at Gwadar.
Recruitment: 5,630
Units: 1st Flotilla (Patrol) (2xRajasthan Class)
2nd Flotilla (Patrol) (2xRajasthan Class)
3rd Flotilla (Patrol) (2xChhattisgarh Class)
4th Flotilla (Coast Defense) (2xType 15)
5th Flotilla (Attack) (6xBrave Class)

Equipment
-4 Rajasthan Class FACs (Akbar, Tippu Sultan, Qais, Muhammad Qasim)
-2x Chattisgarh Class Patrol Vessels/Minehunters (Ahmad Shah Durrani, Khushal Khan Khattak)
-2x Type 15 Frigates (Pulwar, Talwar)
-6x Brave Class Torpedo Boats (Kalat, Khuzdar, Awaran, Barkhan, Musakhel, Sonmiani)

Parliament Approves Defense Expansion

No doubt the war with France has already laid-bare the Indian National Army's grievous shortcomings with regards to force projection capability and numbers. With conflict again looming, this time with the combined forces of Quinntonia and Roycelandia, and with Depkazia increasingly perceived as a threat to the nation's northern border, Parliament has consented to a further expansion of the Indian National Army.

Included in the Defense Expansion Program is provision for the re-opening of F(J).4 production lines, the IAF being thoroughly convinced of the requirement for something more capable than the Golkonda, many of which will likely go to Libya in order to replace wartime losses anyway. The F(J).4 by itself is a fairly basic design, meant to be produced in large numbers, although the requirement never presented itself with the coming of peace in India. What is very far from basic is the new Type 212 AESA radar, mounted in the newest FGA.4 variant. Doubtful of HAL's ability to produce the necessary amount of radars in the requisite time frame, the IAF's 250 additional F(J).4s will be built according to FGA.2/4 standard, fitted with the simpler Type 150E Pulse-Doppler set in place of the Type 212, but retaining much of the FGA.4's ECM and IRS/T equipment. Of the 250 planned new-builds, 180 will be of the fighter variant, 30 the anti-shipping variant, 20 the electronic warfare variant, and the remaining 30 conversion trainers. Development of the F(J).11, previously sluggish, will also be given impetus to accelerate, along with work on the F(J).12 project, which hasn't quite left the drawing boards just yet.

A further 10 Bengal Class corvettes will also be laid-down, designated Bengal-B in order to distinguish them from the more advanced, prewar Bengal-A vessels. In order to speed construction, Bengal-B corvettes will be fitted with the Sea Eagle ASM in place of the BrahMos, and will lack the forward 100mm gun turret. Sonar and ASW systems will remain unchanged, but the air warning radar will be downgraded to a more inexpensive model, still suitable for the defense of the ship itself but not useful for monitoring any great area. If all goes as planned, the first of these vessels might see completion within the next two months.

Parliament will also seek the production rights to Igovian Gauntlet-class Frigates, with the eventual goal of replacing the veteran Leanders in Indian Navy service. Some nine Gauntlets might be produced in the end, but it is highly unlikely that any of these will be completed before the passing of the better part of a year, provided production rights are indeed acquired.

In a surprising throwback to the beginning of the 20th century, the INA has commenced the installment of torpedo batteries along the Indian coastline, especially around good ports. The reasoning goes that, should BrahMos prove unable to penetrate the armor of the heaviest enemy capital ships, there should still be a way to strike and sink them. 670mm heavy torpedoes seem, more than any other weapon, sure to do the job.

Needless to say, recent improvments in an already positive Soviet regard for the INU assured the passing of a referendum on allowing and enabling the establishment in the Union of Bodkin production. More than that, the military Soviets are glad to see a spreading of this capacity and a removal of some from the straining Commonwealth economy.

Immediate co-operation on the placement of Bodkin Class general warfare frigate production in the INU is initated on the Soviet end.


(Sorry for the brevity, I have to get off-line.)

Parliament is extremely grateful for the ISC's continued support of the INU. If Raipur took a different line, after all, the state of affairs on the Indian Subcontinent would be very different, and things would very unfavorable as far as Mumbai would be concerned. And not to mention, it is the ISC that soldiers most of the burden of protecting India's coastline and preventing aggression from inland.

With the seeming abandonment of traditional Walmingtonian policy with regards to the NATO organization, Mumbai is keen to find a different source of ships, and the INA's reliance on Soviet-designed systems is only likely to increase.

New Anti-Submarine Vessel Design Begun by UTS

The onset of the Third World War has caused Parliament to enact defense expansion programs, the likes of which have not been seen since the middle stages of the Indo-Bedgellen War. Certainly one area in which the Indian Navy could do with some assistance is the defense of the Indian Ocean, in particular against enemy submarines. Bengal-class corvettes, although they are superb platforms for the job, cannot be turned-out at a fast enough rate to satisfy the IN's requirement for new warships. At just below a frigate in terms of size, they can only be built at UTS's larger facilities, such as exist on Diu, at Mumbai, and at Karachi. And their use of high-end radars and weapons systems puts heavy strain on the INU's relatively few major production facilities for such equipment. For the essential task of guarding friendly shipping in the Indian Ocean and attacking enemy submarines, the IN finds itself in need of greater numbers.

In response to this requirement, UTS has commenced the design of a relatively cheap, easily-built escort vessel, largely analogous to the Castle or Flower-class corvettes from the Second World War, several of which saw service in the IN during the Indo-Bedgellen War. With such a ship, the IN might be able to cover more of the Indian Ocean, leaving the larger and more capable Bengal-class vessels to patrol at greater distances without leaving home waters unguarded.

Submarine Chaser, Lion Class
Displacement: 570t
Length: 54.5m
Beam: 4.8m
Draught: 3.5m
Propulsion: 3 Type 8E Gas Turbines (14,500shp)
Speed: 38.5 knots
Range: 780km at 38 knots, 3,400km at 16 knots
Compliment: 75
Armament:
Guns: 2x2 40mm DP, 2x2 20mm AA
Missiles: 1x6 Seastreak Launcher, 2x2 Sea Skua or 2x1 Sea Eagle
Torpedoes: 2x2 324mm Type 9 or 2x1 670mm Type 4A
Antisubmarine: 2x3 Type 18C 340mm A/S Mortars
Countermeasures: 1x6 Type 16 130mm Aerial Decoy Launcher, 1x4 Type 15 Acoustic Decoy Launcher, Radar Jammer, Radar Warning Receiver, Laser Warning Receiver
In Service: Lion, Brave, Bombard, Daring, Rover, Loyal, Resolute, Dauntless, Battle, Yeoman, Hill Fort, Fearless, Stalwart, Agile, Citizen, Sword, Redoubtable, Grenadier, Superb, Attack, Ferocious, Rapid, Steadfast, Irate, Raider, Chandra, Vivacious, Zeal, Zest, Pa, Rampart, Chieftain, Terrible, Activity, Admiral, Warrior, Lightning, Herdsman, Javelin, Hero, Noble, Relentless, Guerrilla, Sapper, Success (45 planned)

Domestic Militants and Counterrevolutionaries Active in the Indian National Union, Balochistan, Bihar, Sikkim, and the Eastern Principalities

Bajrang Dal
Hindu Nationalist Organization, Gujarat and Maharashtra
Membership: ~345,000
The Bajrang Dal is the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, itself associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Indian National Union's largest right-wing political entity. Like the VHP, the Bajrang Dal advocates a greater role for Hinduism and traditional hereditary rulers in Union government. Officially a strictly political entity, the Bajrang Dal was heavily involved in rioting that broke out in Gujarat at around the turn of the millennium, in which Hindu mobs sacked Muslim communities and mosques, and during which several deaths occurred before the INA restored order. Bajrang Dal members have also been suspected of involvement in several bombing attacks in Mumbai, and the Parliamentary Constabulary keeps the organization's members under close watch. It is widely believed that the Bajrang Dal's leader, Prakash Sharma, seeks contacts with the French ODSL, but so far no evidence has been found to support this. Like most anti-Union militants, the Bajrang Dal has little to no public support in most places, and members often face violence themselves.

Rajputana Kshatriya Dal
Rajput Separatist Organization, Rajasthan
Membership: 25,000-30,000
Easily the most active anti-Union organization in the Indian National Union, the RKD draws most of its membership from deposed and marginalized Rajput princes and their descendants, who aimed to restore the power they enjoyed under Walmingtonian rule. The RKD traces its routes back to the 1950s, when Rajput nobility first banded together to remove the Indian National Army from Rajasthan. Some 55 years of independence saw the organization splinter and become moot, as Rajput kings from the Kalchuri Clan established a strong central government and violently reigned-in rebellious princes with Combine assistance. Union invasion saw the Kalchuri ruler driven into exile, and Mumbai's intent to again remove the Rajput nobility from the political scene triggered the reformation of the RKD. Owing to the organization's limited popular support, it has been unable to mount any successful offensives against occupying forces and local militia levies. Relatively low-intensity fighting continues in Rajasthan between the RKD and Union-aligned forces.

Lashkar-i-Jhangvi
Islamic Fundamentalist Organization, The Punjab
Membership: ~6,000
The LJ was formed in the mid-1990s by a group of fundamentalist Sunni clerics, operating out of Afghanistan. Mullah Omar and the Taliban, newly installed in power, provided the LJ with limited support. Lashkar-i-Jhangvi seeks to create an independent Islamic state, run strictly on the basis of fundamentalist beliefs and in opposition to the socialism and secularism that predominates in the rest of India. While based in the western Punjab, opposite the NWFP, LJ's range encompasses the whole of the Indian National Union, and fighters are known to operate within Afghanistan and Kashmir. Bombings are the organization's primary means of attack, and successful operations have seen the sinking of a freighter at Karachi and the destruction of a rail station in Hyderabad. LJ is also known to launch periodic insurrections in northern Balochistan and the western part of the Punjab, and LJ fighters are heavily involved in fighting on the Taliban side in Afghanistan.
They, like most communal militant groups, lack popular support and sympathy, but LJ still poses a major problem for local INA units and militiamen. Recently, efforts have been made to establish ties with the Depkazi Caliphate and its leader Chingiz Khagan.

Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan
Islamic Fundamentalist Organization, Sindh
Membership: ~4,500
Long a rival of LJ for foreign support, Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan is another advocate of the creation of an Islamic state out of Muslim-majority Union provinces. It was formed in the late 1960s by four fundamentalist Sunni imams, to take advantage of they saw as a golden opportunity for secession from the INU. SSP's first major action was to launch an insurrection in Hyderabad, and, although the INA only committed a few battalions, it was quickly, if violently, put down by local militiamen and Parliamentary Constables. Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan has a terribly small support base, owing as much to its use of indiscriminate bombings as anything else, and is limited in operational capability next to the better-funded LJ. Nonetheless SSP is still a problem in Sindh Province and has a fair few bloody attacks to its credit.

Ranvir Sena
Counterrevolutionary Organization, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar
Membership: ~3,000
Perhaps one of the most detested militant organizations in the Indian National Union, and indeed India as a whole, is Ranvir Sena. Composed mainly of members of the upper Hindu castes and anti-communists, Ranvir Sena advocates the reinstitution of social caste discrimination and an end to the various forms of left government in place on the Indian Subcontinent. Formed first in response to the Indian National Congress and its policy of full caste equality, Ranvir Sena operated throughout Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, and Bihar during the late 1940s and 1950s. During Prince Llewellyn's rule, Ranvir Sena militants saw employment as guerrillas in Union-occupied Madhya Pradesh, and as counter-guerrillas in Principality-occupied Bengal and Bangladesh. The rise of the First Commonwealth signaled Ranvir Sena's end in the Bengal, and in subsequent years the Igovians all but eradicated Ranvir Sena as an organization. Scattered cells continue to operate in the rural parts of Madhya Pradesh, launching terror attacks against Dalits and Muslims, and in Bihar, where the group found a niche in opposition to Gopalkrishna Patel's government. Ranvir Sena draws on a very limited base of popular support, and much of what keeps it going is foreign support and the lucrative trade in heroin.

Lashkar-e-Toiba
Islamic Fundamentalist Organization, Indian National Union, Kashmir
Membership: ~16,000
Easily the most capable Islamic fundamentalist militant group on the Indian Subcontinent is Lashkar-e-Toiba, "The Army of the Pure." Like Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, LeT was founded in Afghanistan, and offered sanctuary first by Pashtun warlords and then by the Taliban when it came to power. As opposed to Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, with regional ideologies and capabilities, LeT is known to operate across Asia, with contacts as far away as Turkey and the Philippines. Lashkar-e-Toiba seeks the establishment of Islamic states across the continent, although the bulk of its efforts are focused on Kashmir and the Punjab. Lashkar-e-Toiba militants regularly clash with Kashmiri security forces in Muslim-majority areas, and have been known to undertake massacres of Sikhs and Hindus living in areas within LeT's reach. Such massacres have a hand in destabilizing Kashmir, provoking often violent reactions against Muslims on the part of Kashmir's Sikh ruler. Though doubt has been cast on the "Islamic" nature of their activities, LeT is nonetheless popular with other like-minded organizations and seeks close relations with Chingiz Khagan's Depkazi Caliphate. Now that Depkazia shares a border with regions that see LeT activity, the organization is expected to become even more effective, provided of course Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, LeT's official head, is able to win Chingiz's favor. LeT maintains strong relations with Mohammad Kalla's Islamic Republic of Indonesia and several dozen Lashkar-e-Toiba members fight alongside his forces on Sulawesi. Unlike LJ and SSP, whose activities are generally limited to bombings and shootings, LeT maintains a large force of irregular fighters who regularly engage Kashmiri security forces and Punjabi militiamen, in addition to its worldwide network of saboteurs and gunmen. In the organization's arsenal are all manner of small arms, mortars, and a handful of artillery pieces.

United Liberation Front of Asom (Assam)
Revolutionary Insurrectionist Organization, Assam
Membership: 4,500-5,000
The United Liberation Front of Asom is the premier revolutionary group in Assam, the largest and most powerful of the Eastern Principalities. It advocates the overthrow of the Assamese monarchy and the imposition of a people's democratic republic, formed along Maoist lines. The ULFA came into being in 1961, resisting the Bedgellen occupation and associated repressive policies. What started as a nationalist organization soon adopted Maoism as its core ideology and declared a People's War against the government, by now a local monarch installed by Prince Llewellyn. Initially strong Chinese support petered-out by the late 1960s, however, as Mao was taken out of the picture by a military junta, one that held all Indians in low regard, communist Indians most of all. Bangladeshi independence led to Dhaka becoming ULFA's sponsor, and the subsequent fall of the Llewellyn Principality brought with it Sopworth Igo's backing. ULFA continues to fight an increasingly intense guerrilla war against government forces, although successive offensives have failed to take much ground from the Royal Assamese Army. While officially Maoist in terms of doctrine, ULFA is quite flexible in its dealings with the larger Republican movement, even agreeing to a cease fire at the behest of republican politicians. It is widely believed that ULFA has negotiated for itself a 1/3 share of the seats in any national Parliament formed upon the overthrow of the monarchy. ULFA also claims a broad support base and is inclusive of all Assam's diverse ethnic and linguistic groups. Upper estimates of ULFA's strength place it at around 5,000 fighters, but several times this number might be under arms in the event of a major rebel offensive or other significant uprising. Training camps exist in Bangladesh and, against the wishes of Thimphu, in southern Bhutan.

National Democratic Front of Bodoland
Separatist Organization, Assam
Membership: ~2,500
Second to ULFA on the Assamese government's list of problems is the National Democratic Front of Bodoland, which draws its membership from the Bodo people in northern Assam. Often acting in cooperation with ULFA, the NDFB has also fought a generally successful guerrilla campaign against the monarchy for the past four decades. Unlike ULFA, which is very much a revolutionary group, the National Democratic Front of Bodoland is a nationalist organization dedicated to the creation of an independent Bodo state north of the Brahmaputra River, which flows through Assam. A de facto Bodoland already exists, and indeed NDFB has proclaimed it, but the successful repulsion of Royal Army offensives and the crowning of a native Bodo king has yet to attract international recognition or support. Support for an independent Bodoland, while extremely high amongst the long-oppressed Bodo people themselves, is divided in Assam at large, with many prominent Republican politicians strongly opposed to the ethnic division of the "future Asomese Democratic Republic." Though NDFB lacks foreign backing, the movement has been able to build itself an impressive arsenal of small arms, largely captured from the Royal Army or obtained third hand through ULFA.

Mizo National Front
Nationalist Organization, Mizoram
Membership: ~1,800
The MNF was formed in 1961, in the wake of the terrible Mautam Famine that decimated the Mizo population in what was then southern Assam. Mizos were prompted by the Assamese government's near lack of action to launch an insurrection, aimed at achieving full independence for Mizoram. After a decade-long struggle, the MNF was finally able to evict the Royal Assamese Army from the Mizo hills, and the region subsequently became Mizoram. Four years saw the creation of a democratic legislature in Mizoram and its overthrow by agents of the Llewellyn Principality, prompting the MNF to once again go underground. Sopworth Igo gave Mizoram a kind of independence, although the installation of a Marxist-Leninist Prime Minister by the Igovian Soviets led to a great deal of resentment and a split within the MNF. Mizo insurgents once again overthrew the government and installed a noble in Aizawal, proclaiming him a kind of puppet king, but the intended puppet proved quite uncontrollable and excluded the MNF from government. Today the MNF continues to fight a low-level guerrilla war with Royal forces, occasionally aided by ULFA and Bangladeshi intelligence officers, but neither side shows signs of making significant progress. The MNF advocates a return to democratic government and an end to monarchical authority, and has managed to more or less permanently occupy the southern third of Mizoram.

Arunachal Dragon Force
Separatist Organization, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam
Membership: 60
The ADF is a fairly new separatist front formed to agitate for the independence of districts in eastern Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and their unification under a common government. Led by Chaw Nawmee Namsoon, the ADF is composed of Khamti tribesmen who operate in the hilly, rural terrain close to the Burmese border. Although it is a very small organization, the ADF has a professional reputation and its fighters are renowned for their effectiveness. Parties of government soldiers have undertaken several costly expeditions against the Force, every time without major success. Lacking foreign backers, the ADF makes its own money, both through the sale of produce and the cultivation of opium poppies in the inaccessible, heavily-forested terrain.

Union Troops Marshalled For West Africa Operation

Next to the Holy League the INU has been slow to gather forces for campaigning in Africa. Finally significant levels of troops and equipment have started to arrive at coastal staging points, from there to be ferried across the Indian Ocean to Dar-es-Salaam and Pebane. UTS also nears completion of the military conversions performed on five commercial sealift vessels while a dozen other freighters are gathered to form the Merchant Navy.

Ten divisions are scheduled for deployment to the African Commonwealth in the very near future, to stage for an overland or amphibious invasion of West Africa. The 4th Armored Division with its force of MT-3 Peripatus MBTs is the heaviest formation. It is joined by the 5th, 6th, and 8th Mechanized Infantry Divisions and the 19th, 21st, 24th, 25th, 27th and 32nd Light Infantry Divisions. All in all this force amounts to about over 120,000 personnel, motorized and equipped with organic air defense, artillery, and logistical support. Though a great deal less numerous by itself than the opposing forces, each division in the newly-christened IV Corps is a full-time outfit in the Indian National Army. A similar number of Igovian troops are known to be committed to the operation as well, along with a Strathdonian armored division and likely several tens of thousands of troops from the African Commonwealth.

Indian Navy To Begin Capability Enhancement of Submarine Fleet

Bihar-class attack submarines, of which the Indian Navy has eleven, have proved excellent vessels throughout their five years of navy service. The design has lived up to specification, proving both its endurance and quietness over the course of several deployments to the Mozambique Channel during the brief Zimbabwe Crisis. But some Unioners allege that the Bihar Class hasn't lived up to its full potential as a modern attack submarine, its designers having been too conservative and too conscious of cost restraints. No Bihar class vessel is capable of firing anti-ship missiles from its torpedo tubes, and development of a submarine-deployable SAM continues to crawl along at a snail's pace. Unlike, for instance, the Australasian Collins Class, Bihar Class boats are not fitted for supporting commando operations. All these factors conspire to heavily limit the class's usefulness in anything besides combat against enemy battle groups in the Indian Ocean.

Parliament recently consented to the modernization of the first four Bihar Class submarines. Two of their 533mm torpedo tubes will be swapped out for a single 670mm tube, able to fire both the Type 4A heavy torpedo and the BrahMos anti-ship missile. A five-meter section of hull will be inserted just behind the sail, containing accommodation for an eight-person commando section, space for mission equipment or cargo, and an escape trunk. Like Strainist submarines the Bihar Class might, after the completion of the upgrade program, be used to deploy small groups of commandos or military advisers secretly, as is regularly done in the Philippines.

Though Indian Navy officers have long doubted the viability of underwater nuclear propulsion, many Unioners have started to call for the construction of a few SSNs for the Indian Navy. Nuclear-powered submarines have, after all, operated safely and effectively for decades, and now play a key part in the Commonwealth Oceanic Guard. The ability to deploy across the world's oceans for months at a time, without being dependent on friendly bases, is very attractive, although by the time any such vessels enter service the need for them may very well have passed.

750,000 Unioners Called-Up, Parliament Committed to Total Victory

The mobilization of the Union Defense Force's large levy of second-tier reservists is never a small matter. Indeed, the Malacca War only saw first-tier personnel called to active duty, and it has not been since the mid-1980s that the Indian National Army has had under strength over a million troops. It is increasingly apparent to most Unioners that this present war will not be won with the UDF as it stands, and that India must be ready to make the same sacrifices as its enemies in order to ensure victory. Moreover the Soviet announcement of their own large-scale mobilization program motivates Unioners to act with more than their usual quickness.

Parliament's current plans call for the induction of at least 200,000 troops into the Indian National Army within the next two months, and stipulate that these should be fully equipped and ready for combat in the next four. Within the space of eight months the entire second-tier force should be trained and equipped to a reasonable standard, ready to be deployed anywhere on the Indian Subcontinent. Certainly the UDF can expect more out of these reservists, many of whom have seen combat before in one conflict or another, than can European armies out of their levies, although equipment shortages will pose the single greatest problem to their integration with the regular army. A minority of the new formations will be equipped with the 1A SLR, and most will find themselves armed with a mixture of 2A1 Rifles and whatever else the Army can scrape up. Another fifty thousand marines will be recruited as well.

If all goes as planned, the INA will get some 40 Light Infantry, 3 Mechanized Infantry, and 2 Armored Divisions out of the 500,000 personnel now being called up. As many as two thousand additional IC.1s and one thousand IC.2s are under production for Parliament, which has consented to increasing the INA's force levels across the board. Centurion refurbishments are commissioned with smaller workshops while larger tractor factories are converted to produce MT-2 Nag battle tanks.

Unioners in the ISC start to make purchasing arrangements, and many show up in Raipur with lists many pages long detailing just what Parliament is keen on buying from its eastern neighbor. Fossa anti-tank rockets, SPG-3 amphibious guns, Terrier SAMs to replace the Javelin, Wombat armored vehicles, and MT-1s are all ordered in quantity, along with twelve CS-400 systems to assist the terribly elderly force of IS-200s. And all the while Union factories rush to meet the UDF's steadily rising requirements.

Those called up by Parliament are not the only ones being armed. Sten guns and 2A1 rifles, staples of the Union militiaman, are produced in great quantity in local council armories, and passed out amongst the general population. Parliamentary Constabulary officers become de facto brigadiers, leaders of the militia force in their council area. Militia-level preparations are the heaviest in the Punjab, where the prospect of Depkazi or Russian invasion seems quite real.

When all the second-tier reservists have been mobilized, the Indian National Army should number about 1,014,000 personnel, the IAF some 150,000, and the IN about 250,000.

Drug Policy in the Indian National Union

People have, throughout history, always found ways to get a high out of the things they find in their environment. India is no different. Although the nearly seven thousand local councils have the final say in what is and what is not allowed in their area, several broad trends exist that govern reactions to drug use, possession or sale.

Decriminalized Substances

Unioners tend to view drug use as, for the most part, socially acceptable. Though Igovian notions of individuality aren't so pronounced in the Indian National Union, what one does with his or her own body is usually seen as one's own business. Bhang, for instance, is an important part of Hindu ceremony, and the festival of Holi is something that the usually secular Unioners living in the eastern part of the country are not eager to abandon. Charas is also smoked by Hindu holy men and given as an offering in the worship of the Hindu deity Shiva. Other traditional substances, significant in the various tribal cultures that persist in the Indian National Union to this day, are accepted and cultivated or collected freely.

Although the Quran probably forbids it along with all other intoxicants (there is some debate over the exact wording, however), the smoking of hashish is common in the Muslim-majority areas of the INU. Significant numbers of Unioners cultivate hashish in Sindh and the Punjab, where the climate is more or less suitable for the cannabis plant. The wide availability of hashish makes it very difficult for would-be criminals to make a profit off its sale, although illicit transportation of Union-manufactured hashish to the Arabian Peninsula and to Southeast Asia is known to take place.

Charas, hand-made hashish, is common in Hindu-majority areas, where the substance has spiritual significance and is valued as an offering to Shiva by Hindu holy men.

There exist few, if any, restrictions on Marijuana in the Indian National Union. This terribly common narcotic is considered by Unioners both to be next to impossible to regulate and essentially harmless, and recent studies have indicated usage rates of as much as half of the population in the Union's eastern provinces. Home cultivation is common, keeping prices extremely low, and there are few societal taboos against marijuana smoking. Active duty UDF personnel, or called-up reservists, are not permitted to use marijuana for the duration of their service, and this amounts to one of the few restrictions placed on the drug in Union society.

It is also possible to classify a substance as "Traditional," something that is culturally significant to a particular tribe or ethnic group, and thus lift restrictions on use and possession.

Criminal Substances

Drug trafficking is a major problem in the Indian National Union, and that, along with arms trafficking, takes up the largest part of the Parliamentary Constabulary's time and resources. By far the most prevalent trafficked substance is opium, grown in Afghanistan, or in the Seven Sisters, and brought through the Indian National Union for transshipment to Africa and the Middle East. Opium is also grown in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh State. As with most things it is usually not considered criminal to possess or to distribute small amounts of opium, and likewise one can legally cultivate a small plot of papaver somniferum for one's own use and the use of one's friends. But large amounts, anything much larger than a kilogram, are almost always subject to confiscation and disposal, and the possessor subject to arrest.

Parliament Commissions Study on Nuclear Attack Submarine

The present war with France has only served to demonstrate the importance of India's submarine fleet in both protecting home waters and in power projection. That the Indian Navy lacks a nuclear submarine type is a serious drawback, and limits the Union's already somewhat small fleet of attack submarines to operations within the Indian Ocean. Bihar-class submarines, for all that they're worth, are also limited in terms of the volume and the types of ordnance that they can carry. In order to rectify these shortcomings in terms of capability, Parliament has finally decided to embark on the development of an SSN of its own. Dubbed the Advanced Technology Vessel in the interim, designers from the Navy Office intend to consult Soviet experts on the finer points of nuclear submarine construction, and would not at all be surprised if the Union boat came out looking quite a bit like the Anunkai. Indeed, a licensed production run of four Anunkais for the Indian Navy is by no means out of the question, should the Final Senate in Raipur give its consent to the idea.

Ideally, the Indian Navy is looking for a relatively large vessel, capable of undertaking long cruises away from home waters. It ought to be fitted with the most advanced sonars available, both hull-mounted and towed arrays, and it should have a maximally reliable powerplant. Like Soviet Anunkais, the IN specification calls for a back-up electric drive, allowing for short periods of extremely silent running. Standard armament will probably be the 533mm Type 24 torpedo, and six torpedo tubes will probably be devoted to its deployment. The vessel must also be capable of launching cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles.

Raipur is, as ever, keen to support the security of key allies such as Mumbai, and the prospect of spreading defence production facilities to the INU continues to be an appealing one in Soviet eyes. The ability of the Union to construct military vessels familiar to Soviet personnel has to be a positive thing from the point of view of military exchange and co-operation, survivability of industrial capacities in the event of war, and perhaps mutual technological support.

Most Anunkai-related technologies will be made available to proper Union parties, and the Soviets only regret the difficult legacy Sopworth's stubborn insistance on developing munitions in sizes peculiar to the Commonwealth, 517mm torpedo/missile tubes being a key case in point.

Any Union SS(G)N constructed with Soviet help may be expected to out-run the infamously slow but otherwise top-notch Anunkai Class by a fair margine if Mumbai chooses to push India's modern capabilities in that regard.

The Final Soviet has recently concluded that significant call-ups to the already sufficiently large Militia Expert Corps from the mass body of Commonwealth Auxiliaries will not be conducted (unless, perhaps, the sub-continent itself is invaded in strength) in spite of the global nature of the current conflict. Raipur has indicated its intent to instead invest massive labour resources in the construction and support of more munitions, tanks, ships, and aircraft for existing forces and Air and Oceanic Guard Auxiliaries. Industrial output is climbing at a significant clip and Raipur is keen to haul Mumbai aboard.

Unioners are keen to cooperate with their Igovian neighbors, who have a great deal more experience in the construction of nuclear-powered warships. Soviet reactor technology is deemed especially important, since Hindustani engineers are very much out of their depth in that department. The Union design is indeed intended to move at a respectable clip, so any powerplant should probably put out an equally respectable wattage, but at the same time the design displacement is far from certain. Should available technology yield less than strictly adequate power, and should the development of a superior reactor type present problems, the scale of the submarine itself may be reduced to compensate.

HAL, meanwhile, offers its single An-74 to interested Igovians. Acquired several years ago from Laos, it was initially meant to serve as the basis of HAL's own STOL jet transport, but the program came to naught as design and production facilities found themselves swamped by more immediate military orders. Perhaps India's example of this highly interesting, one of a kind jet transport will be of more use to Igovian airplane designers.

Industrial output in the INU does increase, albeit somewhat slowly, in response to the pressures exerted by this new world war. Hindustani factories, especially HAL workshops, are expanded and modernized, and some entirely new plants pick up steam as well, the facilities established for licensed production of the Meteor missile being a prime example. Though they cannot match the more industrialized ISC in terms of sheer volume of production, except perhaps in shipbuilding, Unioners are determined to do their part, and they push things as far as the INU's weaker economic condition will allow.

The An-74 will almost certainly generate interest in the Soviets, where crazy naysayers claim that the Boxkite-alike Preston is insufficient to meet the needs of the Commonwealth Guard.

Preston is built largely in 'client' states from Bangladesh to Vietnam in hopes of encouraging their economies to remain vaguely socialist, and, accordingly, is ridiculously over-priced, must be ordered long in advance if examples are to arrive in time, is famously uncomfortable and requiring of constant upkeep (difficult when a spare nut of the fourteenth type must be ordered from Dakar while a spare washer of the sixth is stockpiled in Vientiane), and it can't lift anything like a useful load when required to fill all of the gaps below the size of a bigger-than-Hercules Marathon. And it's slow.

(OOC: Heh, I do apologise for the Soviets always trying to turn the INU into an industrial powerhouse despite your preferences for playing a less capable nation ;) Their main argument will be that it is best for the Union to keep a small army that maybe can't be everywhere at once but which can be supported by more workers making sure that it has the equipment necessary to avoid massive human losses.)

Certainly, Unioners will say, should the Soviets ever tire of their Prestons, the IAF would be quite willing to take a few of them off the CAG's register. The IAF's own Boxkite is also not an entirely ideal aircraft, being an unashamed copy of the ancient, albeit exceedingly successful, DC-3, with a pair of turboprop engines fitted in place of the radials. A poor substitute for the An-24 family but a substitute nonetheless, figure Unioners concerned with that kind of thing, and when more urgent programs are over with India might as well develop an An-74 equivalent (or an outright copy) to replace Preston and Boxkite fleets. Presently, though, the IAF is going the other way in terms of technology, re-introducing almost fifty HAL-built Twin Pioneers in order to avoid having to produce more expensive transport helicopters in factory facilities that are already being pushed to the limit with jet fighter orders.

Fossa anti-tank rockets are often mentioned by Unioners in the ISC, the INA being very eager to get its hands on a few. There does not exist any anti-tank rocket system between the R(AT).40, the INU's characteristically awkwardly-named copy of the RPG-7, and the Milan-alike GR(AT).18. A light, man-portable weapon like the Fossa seems ideal for parachute and marine units, who require a replacement for their RPGs that isn't too heavy to be carried in each infantry section. Several are immediately ordered for preliminary testing.

(OCC: No problem. Unioners will fret and worry over their accounts in the short term, but doubtless later on they'll be happy to have their ancient equipment replaced with newer systems.)

The Indian National Union (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Emblem_of_India.svg)

The Indian National Union accounts for roughly one-third of the Indian Subcontinent and is one of the more prosperous Indian nations. Once covering nearly all the Subcontinent, close to 40 years of uninterrupted warfare managed to fracture what was once the Republic of India into several distinct modern-day states. Though devastated by conflict and often torn by inter-communal strife, the Indian National Union can today claim to be a player on the world stage, enjoying stability and relative prosperity at home, in addition to wide-ranging personal freedoms and political responsibilities.

Nation

Population (2001): 368,850,680 citizens
Name (Official): Democratic Commonwealth of the Indian National Union
Name (Short Form): Indian National Union, Hindustan
Abbreviation: INU

Nationality: Indian, Hindustani, Unioner

Capital: Mumbai (Bombay) (also largest city in India and perhaps the world)

Other Major Cities: Karachi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Surat, Rawalpindi, Jaipur, Nagpur, Faisalabad, Indore, Bhopal, Vadodara, Nashik, Hyderabad, Rajkot, Jabalpur, Solapur, Islamabad, Gwalior

Government

Government Type: Parliamentary Democratic Commonwealth

Administrative Divisions: Six States (Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sindh), Three Union Territories (Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Islamabad), 208 Provinces, 6,391 Local Councils

Independence: 15 August 1947, from United Kingdom

Government Departments: Ministry of Naval Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Agriculture, Foreign Ministry, Office of the Police Commissioner, Ministry of Communications

Legislative Branch: 6,391-member Parliament roughly representing the interests of the 6,391 Local Councils, with which soveriegn and legislative powers reside

Political Parties: While there are no legal barriers to their formation, relatively few defined parties exist. The Bharatiya Janata Party was created in the mid-1970s as a means of challenging Parliament's domestic and foreign policy, and promotes a more strictly capitalist economic program. With the Union economy growing at a sluggish rate if at all, the BJP has attracted Unioners who aren't necessarily willing to wait around for the Finance Ministry to get it together. Many Unioners accuse the BJP of promoting fascism. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) also has something of a following amongst Unioners who advocate a command economy and adherence to Marxist principles, as opposed to Mumbai's oft-conflicting jumble of ideologies.

Suffrage: 17 years of age, universal

Economy

GDP (PPP) Per Capita: USQ 8,623.21

Electricity Production By Source: Nuclear 37%, Fossil Fuel 32%, Hydroelectric 22%, Wind/Solar 5%, Tidal 4%

Economic Aid: It has long been Parliamentary policy to more or less freely dispense humanitarian aid and medical assistance to wherever it is needed, but far fewer nations receive direct economic aid from Mumbai. Significant financial assistance packages are provided to the former Lusakan republics, the SADR, Eritrea, East Timor, Neo-Anarchos, Libya, and Yugoslavia. Smaller beneficiaries include Madagascar, Burma, The African Commonwealth, Papua, Vietnam, Oman, and Bangladesh, to name a few. Often included as part of economic aid packages are advisers and shipments of industrial equipment.

Natural Resources: Oil (Arabian Sea), Natural Gas, Gypsum, Limestone, Chromites, Iron Ore, Rock Salt, Gold, Diamonds, Copper, Graphite, Clay, Coal, Sulfur, Silica Sands

Labor Force By Occupation: Agriculture 31%, Industry 40%, Services 29%

Industries: Machine Tools, Shipbuilding, Aerospace Equipment, Oil Extraction and Refining, Power Production, Textiles, Consumer Goods, Steel, Automobile Manufacturing, Powerplant Systems, Industrial Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Glass Making, Construction

Agricultural Products: Cotton, Tea, Soybeans, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Peanuts, Rice, Grapes, Bananas, Oilseeds, Potatoes, Corn, Fruits, Wheat, Cattle, Poultry, Opium

Major Export Commodities: Aerospace Equipment, Ships, Machine Tools, Pharmaceuticals, Gypsum, Coal, Tea, Soybeans, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Cotton, Deuterium Oxide, Consumer Goods

Import Commodities: Oil, Metal Ores, Steel, Computer Equipment, Optical Equipment

Important Trade Partners: Igovian Soviet Commonwealth, Spyr, China, Neo-Anarchos, Yugoslavia, Great Britain, Brazil, Libya, The Armandian Combine, The Former Lusaka

Currency: Union Rupee

Communication

Telephones, main lines in use: about 38 million (the telephone has never quite caught-on in the INU, where the radio continues to dominate all forms of communication)

Radio Broadcast Stations: AM 241, FM 322, shortwave 18 (many foreign stations such as the BBC and Igovian programs are available as well)

Television Stations: 12 (Television, due to the difficulties involved in obtaining a set and the power requirements, is extremely rare and the only channels available are the BBC and various community stations)

Demographics

Major Linguistic Groups: Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Indo-European, Austroasiatic

Significant Languages: Hindi, Marathi, Urdu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Sindhi, Konkani, Gondi, Marwari, Pashto, English, Welsh, Celtic, Portuguese

Significant Religions: Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Jainism

Age Structure: 22% 0-14 years
59% 15-64 years
19% 65 years and over

Population Growth Rate: 1.01%

Literacy Rate: 89.5%

International Issues

The Indian National Union is presently at war with France and the Holy League.

Ongoing disputes over Roycelandian authority in Goa threaten to start a war, as do tensions over the Suez Canal.

Illicit Drugs: Large quantities of narcotics, opium and heroin especially, are trafficked through the Indian National Union and surrounding states, on their way to Africa and Europe.

Arms Trafficking: The large amounts of discarded military equipment that resulted from the end of the Indo-Bedgellen War have found ready buyers in arms dealers, who sell surplus guns, bombs, support weapons, and even aircraft and tanks throughout the region.

States & Union Territories

Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Capital: Silvassa
Area: 491sq.km
Geography: Hilly and forested, very wet
Population: 220,451
Administrative Districts: 1
Languages: Gujarati, Marathi, English
Natural Resources: minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: Heavy equipment and consumer goods manufacturing

Daman & Diu
Capital: Daman
Area: 122sq.km
Geography: Daman Ganga River in Daman, Diu an island off Kathiawar Peninsula
Population: 159,059
Administrative Districts: 2
Languages: Gujarati, Marathi
Natural Resources, minimal, unexplored
Economic Activity: Shipbuilding and related industries

Islamabad Territory
Capital: Islamabad
Area: 910sq.km
Geography: Margalla hills, 457-610m elevation
Population: 955,629
Administrative Districts: 8
Languages: Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, English
Natural Resources: limited, unexplored
Economic Activity: Textiles, machine tools, cottage industries

Gujarat
Capital: Gandhinagar
Area: 196,024sq.km
Geography: Relatively flat, Rann of Kutch in west, Thar Desert to the north
Population: 50,596,992
Administrative Districts: 25
Languages: Gujarati
Natural Resources: oil
Economic Activity: Agriculture, oil extraction (coastal), aerospace equipment, machine tools, ship-breaking

Madhya Pradesh
Capital: Bhopal
Area: 308,144sq.km
Geography: Hilly, Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges, Narmada River
Population: 60,385,118
Administrative Districts: 48
Languages: Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Welsh
Natural Resources: limited, unexploited
Economic Activity: Agriculture, chemicals, transportation equipment, deuterium oxide production

Maharashtra
Capital: Pune
Area: 307,713sq.km
Geography: Western Ghats range, Konkan plain and Deccan plateau west and east respectively
Population: 96,752,247
Administrative Districts: 35
Languages: Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati, Welsh
Natural Resources: oil (offshore)
Economic Activity: Agriculture, machine tools, heavy equipment, shipbuilding, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Punjab
Capital: Lahore
Area: 205,344sq.km
Geography: Flat, many rivers and canals, farmland
Population: 79,429,701
Administrative Districts: 34
Languages: Punjabi, Urdu, Siraiki, Hindko
Natural Resources: Coal, gypsum, rock salt, silica sand, dolomite
Economic Activity: Agriculture, heavy equipment, machine tools, railroad equipment, electronics, mining & extraction

Rajasthan
Capital: Jaipur (official), Jodhpur (functional)
Area: 342,236sq.km
Geography: Thar desert in western portion, hilly in south, forested and green in east
Population: 56,473,122
Administrative Districts: 32
Languages: Hindi, Rajasthani
Natural Resources: Wollastonite, jasper, zinc concentrate, fluorite gypsum, marble, asbestos, soapstone, lead concentrate, phosphate rock
Economic Activity: Agriculture, animal husbandry, mining & extraction, textiles, glass making, cottage industries

Sindh
Capital: Karachi
Area: 140,914sq.km
Geography: Indus River, Thar Desert, Kirthar Mountains
Population: 33,038,773
Administrative Districts: 23
Languages: Sindhi, Urdu
Natural Resources: limited, unexploited
Economic Activity: Agriculture, heavy equipment, machine tools, aerospace equipment, shipbuilding, chemicals, petroleum products

The Fossa, first appearing in pre-production form at the beginning of the 1990s when 2nd Commonwealth forces confronted Roycelandian colonial troops on Madagascar, the former arriving to support the government of Admiral Didier Ratsiraka (now widely reputed to be resident in the Soviet-aligned Pondicherry Autonomous Enclave) against the latter's hostile ambitions. Since then it has been known by its current name due to the weapon's impressive leap in performance over the RPGs previously used by the Soviets, a leap said to be akin to those performed by the large Malagasy mongoose-like predator that so impressed the few Indians who saw the creature. It has been deployed actively -if always briefly- in the United African Republics against the nationalist junta and in Bihar against Patelist forces, and is reputedly in quite limited use by the Khmer Rouge.

Fossa have been used on the training ground to disable or destroy target tanks made of T-55, MT-1, and ex-Principality AMX-30 and early-mark Merkava, possibly using its top-attack function against the difficult Israeli target.

The INU will have no trouble obtaining examples.

The Commonwealth, meanwhile, is looking into its records and proceedures after apparently under-estimating the strength of the modern Union economy, which, mildly embarrassingly, averages-out to be stronger than not only the newly integrated Bihari economy but also that of West Bengal and, barely, Jharkhand. In fact, were it not for a few states, such as Sri Lanka, the Commonwealth might generally look second best (though exhibiting phenomenal growth in the new northern states). The decline in trade with the likes of the British Empire is widely blamed for any under-perfomance in the Soviet economy.

Unioners eagerly accept the Soviet offer, and testing begins immediately. Doubtless the INA will find the weapon a suitable replacement for the RPG-7, and militia formations will look forward to receiving more antitank ordnance.

Soviet estimates on the strength of the INU's economy, though, do seem incorrect. There does not exist as much industry in the INU as in the ISC, in part a consequence of the Indo-Bedgellen War, the economic consequences of which Mumbai has not yet entirely lifted itself out of. For the most part Unioners live far less comfortably than most Europeans. Farming is still a considerable and labor-intensive economic activity, with thousands working (albeit collectively) on tea or cotton plantations with relatively little in the way of mechanical aids. Although it might not always look it, the Hindustani economy is still developing, and Unioners do not yet enjoy wealth and prosperity comparable to their Soviet neighbors. The INU gets by, that much is certain, but it does not soar, at least not in the financial sense. This recent spurt of militarization too has taken its toll already, and Parliament is quite close to capping defense expenditure if it continues to increase at the present, quite alarming, rate.

(OOC:Heh, ah, you sneaky so and so! I swear that read $12k+, the other day ;) I consider the Soviet economy to be at around 11-12k per capita, by the best estimates of economists-with-headaches. Higher in the south, but growing fastest in the low-base of the north.)

(OCC: I've been caught red-handed! Yes, it was at around twelve thousand the other day, but I don't think the INU should have that kind of wealth. Eight thousand might even be reduced, all things considered. The INU in general is, I think, far too much of an ideal place, and I ought to introduce some more shortcomings. Union government in particular seems a bit too vague, and I doubt the nation could practically be held-together without any real personalities running things. On one hand I'm hesitant to introduce new things to RP all of a sudden, but on the other there are a lot of major points that need to be corrected.

I'll have a revised INU history up someday, too.)

(OOC: Well, that's exactly what I am doing at the moment. The '80s thing will help to put more emphasis on the negatives that I've always had in mind but which some people seem to have missed in all the Red Menace hysteria that they've whipped up for themselves. More important roles for Sopworth, Graeme, Adiatorix, and so on. More detailing of the problems inherent in having some of the best things in the world on an economy a third the size of China's. More emphasis on the 1st Commonwealth's undeniably formative role and on the notion that the 2nd Commonwealth is seen as a greater failure than Sopworth's. Mainstream NS BG can continue the dream, this one can take its lumps.)

(OCC: Indeed, and excellent work so far. I'll try and have some more about the INU's history up by next week.)

IC:

UDF Formations & Deployments

1st Front Army
Commander: Field Marshal Islam Karim Khan
Headquarters: Gwalior/Jodhpur
54th Mechanized Infantry Division (Militia)
20th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
25th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
28th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
30th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
31st Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
42nd Light Infantry Division (Militia)
-Bikaner Fusiliers (Militia)
-Jodhpur Fusiliers (Militia)
-East Rajasthan Carabiniers (Militia)
-25th Special Reconnaissance Brigade (Militia)

2nd Front Army
Commander: Field Marshal Farooq Abdullah Hammadi
Headquarters: Hyderabad
2nd Armored Division
3rd Armored Division
7th Mechanized Infantry Division
11th Mechanized Infantry Division
12th Mechanized Infantry Division
16th Mechanized Infantry Division
17th Mechanized Infantry Division
29th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
32nd Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
35th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
37th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
40th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
41st Light Infantry Division (Militia)
47th Light Infantry Division (Militia)
-25th Parachute Brigade
-No.3 Commando Regiment
-1st West Punjab Lancers (Militia)
-2nd West Punjab Lancers (Militia)
-3rd West Punjab Lancers (Militia)
-4th West Punjab Lancers (Militia)
-87th Independent Infantry Regiment
-141st Armored Car Regiment (Militia)
-3rd Guards Tank Regiment

3rd Front Army
Commander: Field Marshal Vijay Ramsingh
Headquarters: Pune
40th Armored Division (Reserve)
53rd Mechanized Infantry Division (Militia)
36th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
38th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
43rd Light Infantry Division (Militia)
44th Light Infantry Division (Militia)
46th Light Infantry Division (Militia)
48th Light Infantry Division (Militia)
-1st Guards Tank Regiment
-2nd Guards Tank Regiment
-41st Parachute Brigade
-Daman Regiment (Militia)
-Jalna Lancers (Militia)
-59th Light Infantry Regiment
-107th Armored Car Regiment (Militia)

4th Front Army
Commander: Field Marshal Mahendra Patel
Headquarters: Zanzibar/Conakry
4th Armored Division
5th Mechanized Infantry Division
6th Mechanized Infantry Division
8th Mechanized Infantry Division
19th Light Infantry Division
21st Light Infantry Division
24th Light Infantry Division
25th Light Infantry Division
26th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
34th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
No.18 Fighter Squadron
No.4 Fighter Squadron
No.7 Fighter Squadron
No.23 Fighter-Bomber Squadron
No.25 Fighter Squadron
No.46 EW Squadron
No.8 Attack Squadron
No.37 Attack Squadron
No.9 Anti-Shipping Squadron
No.59 Transport Squadron
No.134 Transport Squadron
No.41 Communications Squadron
No.121 Helicopter Squadron
No.109 Helicopter Squadron
-31st Marine Regiment
-No.4 (Igovian) Commando Regiment
-2/39th Battalion, No.2 Commando Regiment
1st Fleet
-Flag Squadron (Ibrahim Haidari, Zhob, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan, Amravati)
-2nd Squadron (Chagai, Balotra, Ahmadpur East, Moro, Cadiz)
-3rd Squadron (Ambajogai, Srivardhan, Parbhani, Vijay, Vikram)
-1st Support Squadron (Sutlej, Aditya, Galle, Jodhpur)
-2nd Support Squadron (Kaveri, Dudhana, Jyoti, Subroto)
-Force R (Sindhudurg, Rakshak, Trishul)
-Force G (Vajra, Dewanto, Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Sabarmati, Chennai, Cochin, Konkan)
-Sealift Force (Sandalwood, Teak, Babul, Shola, Pipal)
10th Fleet
-Flag Squadron (Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Blake, Mohawk
-12th Air Defense Division (Diu, Pondicherry, Goa, Jaisalmer)
-44th Surface Attack Division (Lothai, Dwarka, Solapur, Khandwa)
-25th Antisubmarine Division (Ahmadabad, Mumbai, Gilgit, Islamabad)
-10th Antisubmarine Division (Quetta, Gwadar, Calcutta, Colombo)
-Mine Warfare Group (Chennai, Ghotki, Kamber)
-Fleet Support Group (Akbar, Gajaraj, Flamingo, Flycatcher, Hornbill[i])
-Amphibious Warfare Group ([i]Bandavgarh, Karaikai)
-No.305 Fighter Squadron

V Corps
Commander: General Usmon Ebadi
Headquarters: Asmara
27th Light Infantry Division
39th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
18th Light Infantry Division (Reserve)
No.21 Fighter Squadron
No.119 Antitank Squadron
No.120 Helicopter Squadron
Bombardment Force (Timor, Miyako Jima, Chhatarpur)
-3/25th Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment
-159th Parachute Brigade
-6th Guards Tank Regiment
-4/34th Tank Battalion, 4th Guards Tank Regiment
-4/19th Tank Battalion, 4th Guards Tank Regiment
-4/24th Regiment of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
-255th Battery, 5/16th Regiment of Artillery

VI Corps
Commander: General Agosto Dos Santos
Headquarters: Tripoli
1st Armored Division
10th Mechanized Infantry Division
33rd Light Infantry Division
-233rd Parachute Brigade
-159th Parachute Brigade
-No.2 Commando Regiment
-No.1 Commando Regiment
-2/57th Battalion, 41st Parachute Brigade
No.2 Attack Squadron
No.15 Fighter Squadron
No.1 Anti-Shipping Squadron
7th Fleet
-Flag Squadron (Derawar, Sawaj)
-36th Escort Division (Graeme Igo, Jhabua, Betul, Narsinghpur, Rajgarh, Bombard, Daring)
-Mine Warfare Group (Jacobabad, Badin, Umerkot)

Sujava Force
Commander: Brigadier-General Davlat Wickramsinghe
Headquarters: Tanimbar
-86th Parachute Brigade
-17th Marine Regiment
-23rd Marine Regiment
-24th Marine Regiment
-2/30th Tank Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment
-2/76th Regiment of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers

Nicobar Force
Commander: Colonel Arun Singh
Headquarters: INS(A) Dapper
-3/5th Field Company, 4th Marine Regiment
-3/11th Field Company, 4th Marine Regiment
-3/17th Squadron, 3/22nd Battalion of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
-2/9th Signals Squadron, 4th Marine Regiment

(OCC: This is my first stab at a revised history of AMW India, and like most of what I write it is apt to undergo some serious revisions before the end. I expect to have most of my information up by Sunday, if I work efficiently and diligently. As this is very much a rough copy I am in serious need of suggestions and other forms of guidance, since I don't have an altogether strong grasp on Indian history as it is.)

The History of India

The first signs of a human presence in India date back some 35,000 years, as evidenced by cave paintings in Sri Lanka and the high passes of the Hindu Kush. Moving out of Africa, these early homo sapiens subsisted mainly as hunter-gatherers and nomads. Permanent human settlement of the subcontinent likely occurred at least as early as 12,000 years ago, towards the end of the last ice age, and the oldest evidence of permanent human settlement, the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, in modern-day Madhya Pradesh, show human habitation dating back 9,000 years. Settlements devoted to primitive agriculture sprung up in modern-day Balochistan and in the Indus Valley, and also on what is now the ocean floor off Gujarat.

Developments in irrigation allowed for the emergence of the Harappan Civilization, centered around the Indus River and its tributaries. The cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were the largest of many thousands of mud-brick settlements built by the Harappans, and those two principal cities exhibited multi-story buildings, drainage systems, and a high degree of urban planning more than two thousand years before the birth of Christ. Highly dependent on the Indus River for the agriculture that may have sustained a population of over five million, the Harappan civilization began to decline towards the middle part of the second millennium BCE, many major settlements being abandoned including the great cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro. Likely climate change led to these sites becoming unsustainable, and theories advocating the Harappan Civilization's violent downfall have been discredited as of late.

Not long after the Harappans started on the path decline, the Indo-Aryan civilization migrated into the northwestern corner of India from Central Asia. They brought with them the Vedas, the oldest known examples of Indian literature, and some of the oldest known texts in the world. Though originally a pastoral people, migration to India led the Indo-Aryans towards agriculture, and society increasingly became organized along the lines of the four Varnas, social strata that would serve as the basis for Hinduism's caste system. It is widely believed that the remnants of Harappan society became absorbed by Indo-Aryan, or Vedic, culture, the Indo-Aryans proving themselves adept traders as well as capable farmers and pastoralists. The term Indo-Aryan itself refers not to any particular ethnicity but rather to a shared language, and the Indo-Aryans taken as a group were a very diverse people.

The coming of the iron age brought the state to India, and small monarchies and city states are mentioned in the Vedas as far back as the beginning of the first millennium BCE. Clan-based groupings known as Janapadas replaced Vedic Janas, semi-nomadic tribes, and these engaged in petty warfare usually triggered by the aswamedha, or horse-sacrifice, an essential part of any clan leader's accession to power. By the middle of the millennium these Janapadas coalesced into the 16 Mahajanapadas, retainer-republics and principalities dominated by Indo-Aryan peoples. These accounted for most of the land in northern and central India, from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, while Tamil peoples, descended from India's earliest inhabitants, occupied the subcontinent's southern tip. Of the Mahajanapadas, the most powerful were Magadha in present-day Bengal, Kosala in north-central India, straddling Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, Kuru in present-day Haryana, and Gandhara, in what is now Waziristan and the Punjab. Hindu ritual continued to develop, the Upanishads were written, and, by the 5th Century BCE, Buddhism and Jainism had both come into being as well.

The middle of the first millennium BCE also saw the arrival of both the Persians and, slight after, Alexander's Greeks on the doorstep of India. Emperor Darius the Great conquered lands throughout Afghanistan and up to the Indus itself, and and Persia held these for over a century and a half. Alexander the Great, the famed Macedonian general, took in turn Persia for himself, and mounted an invasion of India. Though successful militarily, Alexander's troops refused to advance much beyond the Beas River, and it was there that Alexander's expansion ceased. Greek settlers soon came to inhabit Bactria, and vigorous trade came to exist between the Bactrians and the Indians. It is thought that one of the major reasons for Alexander's decision to halt his advance was the massive army kept by the Magadha Empire, under the energetic leader of the warlord Mahapadma Nanda, a large portion of which was awaiting Alexander on the opposite bank of the Beas. Many of these Greeks came to adopt Buddhism, and were heavily influenced by the Indian cultures with which they traded. Paintings exist of blue-eyed Buddhist monks, and stupas as far away as Sri Lanka were dedicated by Greeks from Bactria. Sculptures and bas-reliefs of standing Buddhas are characteristic of these Greco-Buddhists, who ran Bactria until displaced by the Kushans in the 1st Century BCE.

Mahapadma Nanda's dynasty did not far outlast its founder, but the Magadha Empire would soon come into prominence under the rule of the Mauryas, who would push the empire's boundaries so far as to encompass the vast majority of the subcontinent's landmass. The Maurya Dynasty was founded by Chandragupta, who came back from Nanda-imposed exile to overthrow the sitting Nanda king, aided by his chief adviser Chanakya. Chandragupta pushed the boundaries of the Magadha Empire, and spread Jainism throughout the subcontinent. Asoka, Chandragupta's grandson, is by far the most famous of the Maurya kings, renowned for his repudiation of violence and his adoption of Buddhism. Pataliputra, today the rather ugly city of Patna, was the Mauryan capital, and from here Asoka ran a highly efficient and just empire, all the while spreading Buddhism further into Asia. Rock edicts erected under Asoka's direction can still be seen throughout the subcontinent, as far away as Afghanistan. A great iron pillar, unique in the world, was wrought and inscribed with Asoka's edicts, and so amazed the later Mughal rulers that they went to great lengths to relocate it to their capital at Delhi.

Fifty years after the death of Asoka, the Mauryan empire fell at the hands of the Sunga Dynasty, once again founded by an exiled general who murdered the last Maurya king, Brihadratha. They in turn were replaced by the Kanva Dynasty, under whose watch the Magadha Empire was reduced in prominence and was surpassed by the more southerly states. It was also during this time that the Galatians arrived in northern India.

With the collapse of the Magadha Empire, a profusion of smaller kingdoms and Satrapys came into being. Lasting from the fall of Magadha in about 30 BC until the decline of the Guptas in the middle of the first millennium ACE, this Golden Age saw brisk cultural development and the spread of Indian religion and culture throughout Asia, under the patronage of various kings, princes, and satraps. Kingdoms such as the Cholas, the Pandyas, and the Cheras rose to prominence, and the Cholas especially, located in southern India, were responsible for the spread of much Indian culture throughout the rest of Asia with their powerful navy, the most powerful in the world at that time. In Gujarat, Rudradaman, the Maha-kshtrapa, or great Satrap, ran a particularly successful state. He was known as the most "undemanding of rulers...a man of vivacious and cheerful disposition," extremely generous and steadfast in upholding Buddhist doctrine. By all accounts Rudradaman was the epitome of the Indian king; a superb friend and advocate for his people, an excellent general and warrior, and an intellectual. Indeed, Rudradaman expanded his territorial holdings significantly while maintaining his reputation as a supremely cultured man, and in his rock inscription these military exploits are even downplayed. Successful at just about everything he did, Rudradaman was and is to this day highly respected and serves as a popular role model.

During the fourth and fifth centuries, the Gupta Dynasty, which came out of Magadha, re-established control over much of the old Mauryan Empire. Also established by a Chandragupta, the Guptas promoted Sanskrit and, although unable to exert much influence over the southern, peninsular kingdoms, left a deep cultural legacy nonetheless. Chandragupta (Chandra-Gupta) was the first Gupta ruler to establish the dynasty as a force to be reckoned with, and carved himself out an empire stretching from the Ganges to modern-day Allahbad, and was the first of the Guptas to be known by the title Maharajadiraja, or "king of the kings-of-kings," just one of the many elaborate titles favored by Indian kings and princes. His son Samudragupta further expanded the Gupta's realm. Samudragupta took over as many as twenty kingdoms and became known as "world monarch" in addition to Maharajadiraja. Further Gupta kings took over the Saka Satrapys in Gujarat, incorporating into the Gupta empire Rudradaman's old realm. Trade and cultural exchange with the rest of Asia continued to flourish during this period, with Indians traveling as far afield as Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia to spread Hinduism and Buddhism. The Guptas established a strong central bureaucracy and produced acclaimed paintings, sculpture, music, and literature. Indeed, notable visitors from China described a prosperous and beautiful country, well-endowed with good rulers and wealth.

One problem that no Gupta ruler could adequately check was that of the Galatian people. These "giants among men," expert swordsmen and charioteers, and perhaps the best soldiers that India has ever seen, refused Gupta taxation and spurned the military expeditions launched against them. A combination of weak kings and increasingly unsuccessful wars with the Galatians ultimately led to the decline of the Gupta Empire and its sacking at the hands of the Huns in the late sixth century.

Following the collapse of the Gupta Empire, northern India was contested between three main kingdoms; the Pratiharas of modern-day Madhya Pradesh, the Bengali Palas, and the Rashtrakutas from the Deccan Plateau. A new contestant emerged in the form of the Armandians, a Persian people who overran the Bactrians and the Kushans to establish a powerful domain in what is now the Punjab. They prevented the Palas from gaining control over what is now Uttar Pradesh, and took much land from the Pratiharas. At the same time, the Galatians, who had firmly established themselves in southern India, vied for control over Chola, Chera, and Hoysala Kingdoms. The Chalukya kingdom was the first to fall to the warlike Celts, who brought with them superior tactics and whose sheer physical size gave them a considerable advantage in single combat.

By the beginning of the ninth century, Galatian warlords controlled much of present-day Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and they set their sights on far larger conquests.

In the late sixth century the first few Rajput kingdoms arose in present-day Rajasthan. These descendants of the Saka Satraps soon proved themselves warriors every bit as adept as the Galatians, and they developed a reputation as a particularly independent and warlike people. Rajputs conquered much of Sindh, Gujarat, and the Punjab. The Armandian kingdom which, at its height, straddled the Indus and connected Persia with the mighty Ganges, was split into two parts by the Rajputs who were even able to overcome the famously well-coordinated Armandian swordsmen. Magnificent fortresses and palaces were built by the Rajputs, most of which still stand to this day.

Islam first reached the Indian Subcontinent in the sixth century, as evidenced by the world's second-oldest Masjid, which stands in Kerala. Arriving in Sindh from Muscat, or in the Punjab after traveling a long overland route through Afghanistan, early prophets of the Muslim faith had a relatively small impact on the overwhelmingly Hindu or Buddhist population, converts being few and far between. Far more influential was the arrival of Muhammad bin Qasim on Indian shores in 711. This Umayyad General was dispatched to Sindh by the Caliph at Baghdad in order to put an end to the activities of Indian pirates, who disrupted merchant shipping headed to Sri Lanka and other Indian ports. With a force of 6,000 Syrian soldiers, Muhammad bin Qasim marched into Balochistan and Sindh, and brushed aside the forces of the Hindu king Dahir, who stood in opposition. Umayyad forces under Qasim's command conquered the southern portion of Balochistan, all of Sindh, and the Punjab as far north as Multan. Known as a lenient and affable ruler, Qasim did not attempt any mass conversions of the Buddhist majority, and succeeded in large part because his undemanding and unobtrusive policies contrasted sharply with the rule of Raja Dahir. Said Qasim, "When you have conquered the country and strengthened the forts, endeavor to console the subjects and to soothe the residents, so that the agricultural classes and artisans and merchants may, if God so wills, become comfortable and happy, and the country may become fertile and populous." Discredited by Dahir's daughters, who falsely reported to Baghdad that Qasim had violated them, and on the wrong side of a political dispute at home, India's first great Muslim conqueror was shipped back to the Caliphate stitched-up in a hide. According to contemporary accounts, "...people of Hind wept for Qasim and preserved his likeness at Karaj," such was their fondness for the General.Though his time at its head was limited, Qasim created the first permanent Muslim enclave on the Indian Subcontinent. Subsequent governors would lose parts of Qasim's conquest temporarily, but no Rajput, Pratihara, or Rashtrakuta managed to evict the Muslims entirely from their holdings.

The next Muslim invader, Mahmud, the Lion of Ghazni, would not be remembered so kindly by the Hindus and Buddhists whose land he took for his own. While the one-time governors of Sindh were consolidating their power and establishing themselves as independent from Baghdad, Muslim kingdoms were displacing Buddhist ones in Afghanistan, and these Muslim rulers soon established reputations for themselves as fierce warriors and nigh-unstoppable conquerors. Ghazni in particular had much success on the battlefield. Alptigin, a Turkic warrior and one-time slave, came across the Hindu Kush to seize Ghazni from its Samanid rulers, rapidly being driven to extinction by the Armandian. He and his son, Sabuktigin, secured much of Afghanistan, Kabul included, and soon began to embark on campaigns against Armandian Persia. It was on one of these campaigns, in the year 994, that Mahmud of Ghazni first made a name for himself. Against the Armandians, famously adept tacticians, he scored victory after victory, and he returned to sweep away all challengers at home.

Mahmud first invaded India in the first years of the second millennium ACE, tackling the Muslim rulers of Multan in order to secure the favor of the Abassids in Baghdad. He went on to defeat many Rajput kingdoms, and came back to Afghanistan with his elephants weighed-down by treasure, taken from Hindu and Buddhist temples. Indeed, much of Mahmud's campaigning was directed against wealthy fortress towns and temples, where loot could be had, and the Ghaznavid armies laid waste to many of Rajasthan's magnificent fortresses. By the time he died in 1030, Mahmud of Ghazni was immensely wealthy and collected tribute from most of western India. But, like most other Afghan rulers, Mahmud proved unable to secure anything that would last in the long term. In the decades following his death Mahmud's tributaries would break their ties with Ghazni, while the Armandians steadily retook their Persian holdings and encroached on Afghanistan itself.

But the Afghans are a resilient people, and, after not much more than a century, a new Afghan conqueror swept into India. The Ghorids rose to prominence in Afghanistan through the usual combination of military prowess and political ruthlessness, and scored several major victories over the Armandians, who had expanded their Afghan holdings in the wake of Mahmud Ghazni's death. The logical next step for Muhammad of Ghor was to sweep into the Punjab and Sindh, where the Muslim governors descended from those left by Muhammad bin Qasim presided over weak and fragmented states. These posed no great threat to the Ghorid army. Muhammad of Ghor's cavalrymen swept across the Indus and made short work of the armies that neglected to surrender. By the middle of the 12th Century, his armies were ready to invade Rajasthan.

(OCC: Hmph. This is, methinks, taking too long. I'll have to fast-forward a bit.)

Between the fall of the Gupta Dynasty in the sixth century and the rise of the Mughals in the 1500s, India possessed no clearly dominant dynasty or kingdom. Afghan raiders such as Mahmud Ghazni and Muhammad of Ghor possessed clear military superiority in their time, but they did not ever really intend to stay in India. Afghan armies sacked Indian temples and destroyed Stupas, and carried their plunder back to their homeland, leaving tributary rulers in control of the territory that they had conquered. These retainers tended to sever their allegiances as soon as the Afghan armies departed the area.

In the south of India, the Vijayanagar Dynasty rose to prominence in the 14th century, in what is today Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, brothers and skilled generals, took control of the Hoysala Empire towards the beginning of the century, and were soon able to unite by diplomacy or conquer most of southern India's surviving Tamil and Telugu dynasties. For the first time in a matter of centuries, a Hindu ruler was able to record victories against the Geletians, traditionally India's best soldiers, and, under the leadership of Bukka Raya I, Vijayanagara managed to retake some of the territory held by the Golkonda-based Geletians. Vijayanagara also conducted highly profitable trade with the rest of Hindu Asia, the port city of Calicut becoming a thriving trade hub and home to merchants from across the eastern world. The dynasty's cultural impact was considerable, and, besides numerous fortresses, Vijayanagara saw considerable artistic development. Hindu architecture, painting, and literature all flourished under royal patronage.

Financed by prosperous trade and a taxable merchant class, the Vijayanagara Empire raised a large army, and with it campaigned primarily against the Geletians, once coming within sight of their stronghold at Golkonda. During the 14th and 15th Centuries, Vijayanagar kings and generals built themselves a formidable reputation in southern India, but by the middle of the 15th Century they had found a capable adversary in the Lodhi Dynasty, Pashtun conquerors who took Delhi from the Armandians and made it their capital.