Takashila Ashvaka

==In game==
Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics	Takashila Ashvaka — Vital statistics
 	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.	
Gandhara unique light ranged melee cavalry. Has a mediocre-ranged attack that is nonetheless powerful against enemy siege and supply train units, just like cavalry units for the vanilla Russian faction.
*Strong versus light missile infantry, artillery units and supply vehicles.
*Weak versus cavalry, fortifications.
Prereq: 	Build time 	HP 	LOS 	Attack 	Attack speed 	Movementspeed 	 	
:N/A 	11.8s(179t) 	73 	7 	12 	2.3s(35t) 	33 	 	
Cost 	Cost 	Cost 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty
Base 	Ramp 	Pop 	Created from 	Armour 	Weapon range 	Specialty 	Specialty 	Specialty
:: 60;
:: 40 	
: 3 	1 	 	2 	0–5 	
*Critical attack bonus versus siege machines and supply units (except Mantlets).
*Critical attack debuff versus Tower and Fort-type structures.	
*Critical attack bonus versus siege machines and supply units (except Mantlets).
*Critical attack debuff versus Tower and Fort-type structures.	
*Critical attack bonus versus siege machines and supply units (except Mantlets).
*Critical attack debuff versus Tower and Fort-type structures.
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
category:light cavalryCategory:Alexander unique unitscategory:gandhara
===Overall strategy===
Even though the many peoples of Gandhara (and other lesser peoples and tribes dominated by the rule of a ganasangha (the Indic equivalent of a tribal council or boulë) also can field armies founded upon the caturangabala system, not all kshatriyas play the same game. Some of these are either of foreign extraction, or themselves have been exposed to the practices of foreigners — most notably, the Bactrians who live ensconced in the Hindu Kush and who pay taxes and perform military service for the shahenshah of the Achaemenidai. The lands of Gandhara and her neighbour Bactria are after all some of the rugged in all of the known world, if not the harshest — and some of the poorer tribes often live through brigandage and raiding others to survive. 
As a result, although Takashila Ashvaka (Taxila cavalry) may not ride the best horses, unlike the formidable Achaemenidai or the unclean tribes of the far north, nor have they the best knowledge of tactics like the later Greek prodromoi units, what they however bring to the battlefield is the ability to raid and cause considerable damage to enemy supply vehicles and artillery, especially if they are in transit. So while Takashila Ashvaka may not stand toe to toe in straight-up fights with other cavalry units, they are still quick and fast enough, to be used for quick raids, either against the enemy civilian population as light horse units are often suitable for, or for seeking out and destroying an enemy's slower siege and supply units in order to weaken them, short of destroying them. Use spies and emissaries to locate and pick targets, then send in a picked body of Takashila Ashvaka (preferably in the presence of a Captain) to eliminate them before using their reasonable mobility to avoid the enemy's own horse pickets, as how you would if you were playing with Russian cavalry units in the vanilla game.
If your enemy is playing as Gandhara, remember that Takashila Ashvaka are good only for raiding and attacking your support units. As always, keep an eye on your borders at all times (so you can garrison your Thetes if things go wrong), and never let your support units out of your sight. Use missile units, both on foot and horse, to escort them, preferably assisted by some medium or heavy cavalry units to support them. 
===Unit summary===
====Notes====
Indian light cavalry. The best there is, and is a mix of different styles - it is essentially Indo-Persian cavalry, not dissimilar in stats to Bactrian Kamboja Asvaka Ksatriya.
Get rid of the Hellenic heads and trousers. Replace them with Achaemenid-style hoods, in Baloch fashion.
== History ==
Though relatively seldom mentioned in the epics, cavalry was considered one of the arms of the classical "Four-Armed Army", or caturangabala. Their role was primarily supportive, though, and in the Arthashastra, Kautilya states that skirmishing and pursuing routing enemies are the main tasks of the cavalry. The role of shock troops was instead given to the elephants and chariots. Still, cavalry was most certainly present in all Indian armies, as can be attested to by their appearance on several monuments, such as the stuphas at Sanchi and Barhut, and on the Ajanta murals. 
The great majority of the horsemen seen on these monuments are light cavalry, armed with javelins and short spears, and unarmoured. Other empires that conquered India also made use of the warriors they could muster there. Indian warriors were likely present at Thermopylai as part of the Achaemenid army, and later dynasties that ruled north-west India, such as the Baktrians, Sakas and Kushanas, were not slow to incorporate these warriors into their armies.