We once again took to remote socially distant conflict on the tabletop, this time an obscure and long forgotten conflict in the depths of Mughal India.
Crafthole attended via laptop, with me giving him some opposition, and moving troops as well as the camera around the battlefield from a virtual observation balloon. We decided to switch to 15mm from our more usual 6mm since it might make it a bit easier to distinguish the troops over the ether. This took three sessions to complete over several weeks, fitted around our busy lives.
Crafthole assembled a Mughal host, as the Emperor's plenipotentiary Al Ayn Kuraf Deyhul, to bring the recalcitrant Vizier of Danpur, Barad Ali Al-Pashtun, to heel after failing to send tribute for several seasons.
Al-Pashtun has offered battle on a maidan outside the small Indian village of Anadangalee, between the foothills of the Jalaan Mumbai and the swampy marshlands of the Jawadee Maraas in the borderlands of Danpur.
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| Al-Pashtun's deployment. Two cavalry heavy commands, supported by a small force of elephants, rocketeers and grenadiers, are deployed in the foreground with some heavy guns supported by dhali swordsmen on a small rise near the small village of Anadangalee. Unbeknownst to Kuraf Deyhul the wily Pashtun has a small ambuscade of arquebusier armed Bunduqchis, jezailachis and firework throwers hidden in the village. Al-Pashtun's camp is hidden behind a couple of small topes next to the village, guarded by camp followers. Not visible in this picture are a couple of outlying foothills of the Jalaan Mumbai, to the flank of the cavalry. |
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| Deyhul forms up his Mughals in response. A small mixed force of Mansabdar horse, Hindu dhalis and archers are poised in the foreground to cover the flank of a line of Rahkala firearm wagons supported by a bombard in front of the Mughal baggage, which is guarded by levy spearmen. In the distance, opposite the village, can be seen a formidable array of elephants, Bunduqchis and more Mansabdar supported by more Dhalis and archers. |
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| After several turns of manoeuvring, the only significant occurrence being the Mughals taking out half of Al-Pashtun's stable of elephants with their artillery in the first turn, we finally get to close quarters. Here Al-Pashtun has sprung his ambush to assist his personal guard of Sowars in fending off the advancing elephants with their Hindu foot support. |
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| In the centre, more of Al-Pashtun's Jagirs advance with artillery support against Deyhul's bunduqchis protected by pavaises, more hindu foot and mansabdar horse. |
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| On the other flank, in the Jalaan foothills, more desultory manoeuvring is taking place as each side taunts the other in colourful Urdu. |
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| The main action is on the gentle rise outside the village however. Both sides close to clash of steel accompanied by the terrifying trumpeting of perambulating pachyderms. |
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| The action continues to hot up on the hill, both sides move up reserves to feed into the developing maelstrom. |
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| Meanwhile, the Mughal shot brace for impact. |
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| Al-Pashtun's well armoured horse sweep around at the trot, readying for a charge. |
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| The hill is wreathed in smoke as Al-Pashtun's foot desperately try and fend off Deyhul's personal stable of elephants, firework throwers are sent forward but prove to be a damp squib as they are trampled underfoot with contempt, the precocious pachyderms barely notice. |
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| Meanwhile the Danpuri Jagirs continue to close on the Mughal arquebusiers |
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| All is quiet at El-Pashtun's camp as they prepare the halftime oranges |
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| The enormous elephants tower over the Danpur foot as they scamper hither and thither frantically trying to hold them back. |
Over in the centre the redoubtable Rahkala wagons wait for someone to show an interest in them
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| Back at the crucial conflict on the rise, Hindhu dhali swordsmen and archers make a desperate charge against the Danpuri artillerymen, but a good whiff of grape discourages them. |
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| On the outskirts of the village, the Danpuri foot slowly give ground against the rampaging elephants |
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| The proficient pachyderms are slowly grinding them into the dust of the hill. |
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| A charge of Mughal Mansabdar gives Al-Pashtun something more to worry about as the Hindu foot once again seek reincarnation in front of the Danpuri guns. |
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| In the centre Al-Pushtun's Jagirs are finally at close quarters with the Mughals, thundering through them like a well seasoned dahl. A Mughal command is broken! |
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| The situation is looking increasingly desperate for the Danpuri foot, they can do no harm to the euphoric Elephants of Deyhul but still mange to tenuously hold them back. |
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| Al-Pashtun, with his personal bodyguard, is looking increasingly hard pressed by the remorseless Moghul horse. |
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| Finally Al-Pashtun's command breaks! |
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| Meanwhile, over in the centre, offended at being ignored, the rahkala decide to trundle forward |
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| They advance to musket range and start laying down supporting fire |
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| The maddened Danpuri elephants stomp forward to close quarters, supported by some grenadiers, but they are no match for the well protected wagons who slaughter them with well aimed close range volleys. |
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| With both sides now with a command broken the remaining forces close to decide the issue. Al-Pashtun's triumphant jagirs regroup and now gallop to give him succour before the village. |
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| At the same time Deyhul regroups his exuberant elephants and directs them towards the advancing Danpuris. |
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| Things are looking increasing desperate for Al-Pashtun, will his loyal Jagirs rescue him from his predicament in time? |
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| He is pressed on all sides, the shade provided by his umbrella wallah giving him his only relief on the hot and dusty knoll. |
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| The Danpuri gunners deliver another good dose of grape to the resolute dhalis, keeping them at a healthy distance. |
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A small force of Danpuri horse archers is sent to do their best to delay the Mughal wagons.
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The Mughal Commander of the Rahkala prepares to support their advance
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Slowly but surely the creaking wagons are coaxed forward by straining oxen
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| Meanwhile Danpuri Jagirs mount controlled charges in the centre to cover their flank |
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| The remnants of the broken Mughal horse do their best to keep them in place for the slowly advancing war wagons. |
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| Mughal gunners survey the carnage to their front whilst glancing nervously to their flank at the ever closing Mughal elephants. |
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| Al-Pashtun's rocketeers advance to cover the Danpuri rear with a colourful, if largely ineffective, display. |
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| Their fiery and spectacular projectiles look impressive but have little effect on the progress of the pachyderms |
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| The Danpuri Jagirs prepare for another charge |
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| A lone Mughal elephant, supported by some Jezailachis, is sent to stand in their way |
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Even the Danpuri camp followers are being sent forward, everything now counts!
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But they'll have a lot of ground to cover to make any impact!
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Deyhul urges his eager elephants to crush the recalcitrant Danpuri.
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| Will the Danpuri Jagirs arrive in time to make an impact? |
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| The lonely looking Danpuri horse archers keep their distance from the advancing Mughals, just enough distance to slow down their approach. |
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| Deyhul forlornly sends forward his Jezailachis to keep a group of Danpuri light horse off the flank of his Mansabdar, he needs to buy time for them to finish off Al-Pashtun's bodyguard before the rapidly approaching Danpuri jagirs roll them up! |
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| As the Mughal mansabdars close from one side, Deyhul closes from the other catching Al-Pashtun in a tasty Mughal shawarma! |
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| Deyhul sends his remaining Dhalis forward into the flank of the advancing Jagirs whilst his delaying elephant tackles their front, anything to buy time! |
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| Meanwhile, in what was the centre, the Mughal Rahkalas continue their ponderous advance, kept at a distance by another group of Danpuri jagirs |
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| A messy pell mell close quarter fight develops on the rise outside Anadangalee as both sides squeeze out the most they can from their last chance of manoeuvre before it comes to the tulwar to decide the issue. |
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| Al-Pashtun perilously turns to meet the advancing elephants whilst the remnants of his bodyguard try and stem the flood of Mughal mansabdars on his other flank. But it's too much to take on and he is skewered, lifted triumphantly from his saddle on the end of a pike by the crew of a trumpeting elephant. If his army survives he will not live to see it's success. |
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| The vengeful Danpuri jagirs give a woeful wail of rage as they plough into the flank of the Mughal mansabdars and swarm over the lone Mughal elephant attempting to stem the tidal wave of their advance. |
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| A confusing melee ensues. |
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| No quarter is asked for, or given. |
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| Slowly the remorseless elephants crush their way through one flank of the brawl |
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| Danpuri rocketeers still try to delay the elephants with a dazzling display |
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| They launch as fast as they can se match to fuses as their missiles streak towards their targets, surely they can hit an elephant at that distance? |
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| The Mughal mahouts applaud their spectacular pyrotechnics, but it has no effect on their advance |
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| They continue to push forward nonplussed. |
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| The baggage handlers at the Danpuri camp start to get a bit nervous. Time to pack up the oranges, no need to make it easy for the Mughals to claim the fruits of victory! |
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| Meanwhile the Rahkala continue to wheel purposefully towards the vicious affray |
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| Deyhul's elephants look as if they will cut through and turn to mash the Danpuri Jagirs |
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| But the Jagirs are swarming all over the Mughal mansabdars |
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| In a taut contest the Jagirs just gain the edge, a second Mughal command breaks and Deyhul concedes the field. |
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| Closing dispositions. The remnants of Al-Pashtun's force have their revenge by breaking the Mughals on the bloody knoll before the village and holding off the advancing Mughal centre narrowly avoiding being crushed themselves, another Danpuri command was in an ace of breaking and the result could have gone either way. |
The rebellious Danpuris will not be paying any tribute this year either it seems, but neither will Al-Pashtun be enjoying his victory. His deputy is more than willing to step into his curly toed juttis and negotiate a truce.
Deyhul negotiates his withdrawal, there is little chance of the Jagirs doing any damage to his efficacious elephants anyway. He will probably barter for his exit with a few of his precious pachyderms to replace the Danpuri elephant stable he slaughtered on the field. No doubt by the time he returns to face the Mughal Emperor he will have thought up a suitable narrative to account for the lack of tribute, much ameliorated by presenting the carefully preserved head of Al-Pashtun as an elaborately embroidered cushion for the Emperor's comfort!
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