Strudeler’s Civilizations: Tamilakam (Cheras, Cholas, and Pandya Tamils)
Play as the master of the Indian Ocean, Rajendra the Great Chola; in Sid Meier’s Civilization VI.
The Tamils have lived in the southernmost portion of India since time immemorial. Despite their longevity, popular belief holds that there have only been three major Tamilar dynasties: the Cheras, the Chola, and the Pandya; all of which vying for a powerful Tamilakam or Kerala that could ward off northern powers or contain the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka. The Chola dynasty is notable for launching one of the largest Indian Empires through Rajaraja and Rajendra Chola, the father-soon duo projected power across the Indian Ocean reaching as far as the Philippines. The Pandya dynasty of the medieval period would succeed the Chola Empire to establish a strong nation in southern India, Marco Polo would comment that the Pandya state was the most affluent on Earth. Tamils would endure the likes of Aurangzeb and later Mughals just as they resisted much older Indian Empire such as the Mauryans, but the feudalistic tendencies would result in the region becoming subject to the British.
Part of the Beyond the Indus Expansion
FEATURES
- Requires: RISE AND FALL and GATHERING STORM
LEADER: RAJENDRA THE GREAT CHOLA (Tamilakam and India)
- Trait – Chola with Three Crowns: May form Fleets with the Naval Tradition civic. Fleets gain +3 Combat Strength and Armadas gain +7 Combat Strength. Cities on a continent different than the Capital gain +2 Loyalty and +15% Gold. Gain 2 Pearl resources.
- Agenda – Expedition Beyond the Ganges: Likes civilizations that explore. Dislikes civilizations that do not explore.
CIVILIZATION: TAMILAKAM
- Trait – Sangam Literature: Theater Square gains standard adjacency and +1 Amenity from Coast or Lake tiles. Districts adjacent to Coast or Lake grant +1 Great Writer points per turn.
- Spawn Bias – Tier 1 Pearls, Tier 3 Coast/Jungle.
CIVILIZATION UNIT: OTTRU
- Tamilar unique Medieval era Naval Raider class unit that replaces the Privateer. Available at Naval Tradition. +1 Sight. +7 Combat Strength when within 1 tile of a friendly Spy. +3 Combat Strength when within 4 tiles of a Harbour, increasing to +7 Combat Strength if it is a Sunga Illaka.
CIVILIZATION DISTRICT: SUNGA ILLAKA
- A district unique to Tamilakam. Replaces the Harbour. Always costs 100 Production to produce (on standard speed). +30% Production towards Fleets, Armadas, and Spies in the city. Enemy Spies act 1 level lower when targeting the district or adjacent districts. Major Gold adjacency from districts. Major Faith adjacency from sea resources. Cannot be built on Reef.
Tags: Civilization, Tamilakam, Tamilar, Tamil, Cheras, Cholas, Pandya, Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, India, Indonesia, Malay, Malayalam, Maldives, Kerala, Sri Lanka, Bharat, Hindustan, Leader, Rajendra the Great Chola, Indian, Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Medieval, Renaissance, Unit, Ottru, District, Sunga Illaka, Religion, Vaishnavaite Hinduism, Shaivaite Hinduism, Agamic Dharmic, Luxury Resources, Navy, Culture, Tourism, Expansion, Religious Victory, Domination Victory, Culture Victory, Strudeler, Tart Society
