Every Unique Unit Compared to History (Part 7 - The Rise of the Rajas)

Welcome back m8s
Today we will be doing the second last expansion for Aoe2, the Rise of the Rajas. These civs are more straightforward than some of the other FE civs.

If you haven't seen the others, here they are:
- Part 1
- Part 2
- Part 3
- Part 4
- Part 5
- Part 6

So without further ado, let's get started

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Burmese - Arambai

Ability: Mounted dart thrower.

What it was: Although there was no such thing as an "Arambai" troop/unit, the Arambai was a dart used by the meitei people against their enemies (This will be important later).

Significance to Burmese: The Arambai weren't even Burmese, they were from the Meitei people of India used against the Burmese. However, the Arambai darts (which were thrown by the Meitei's Manipury Cavalry) were extremely feared by the Burmese because they were thrown at a very high accuracy and were poisoned (Source here)

How the Game Relates it to History: I'm not quite sure what the low accuracy has to do with anything, since the Manipury Cavalry would throw their darts with amazing accuracy, but they were extremely powerful like I said before.

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Khmer - Ballista Elephant

Ability: Heavy cavalry equipped with a Scorpion. Can fell trees.

What it was: It's a Ballista. On an Elephant.

Significance to Khmer: The Khmer were famous for their Elephants in wars. They were very famous for mounting double crossbows or ballistae onto the backs of elephants, which proved to be very useful in battle.

How the Game Relates it to History: Much like in aoe2, the Ballista was a very anti-personnel siege weapon. It could pierce through many men (there is evidence of ballistae doing this in war.) Elephants are a slow, but powerful unit as well so this makes sense.

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Malay - Karambit Warrior

Ability: Cheap and weak infantry unit that only takes half a population spot.

What it was: The Karambit was a type of knife used by the Majapahit people of Indonesia and Malaysia. It was known for being able to make multiple strikes with one movement.

Significance to Malay: The karambit was unique to the Majapahit people, and was very common amongst Indonesian people as a weapon for self defense.

How the Game Relates it to History: The Karambit was only wielded by soldiers when all their other weapons were gone. However, it was very common amongst citizens, who weren't trained as soldiers, but could still fight. This is why I believe they are cheap and weak, but only take 1/2 of a population spot.

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Vietnamese - Rattan Archer

Ability: Heavily armored Archer.

What it was: Rattans are a tough, light, woody material. used for making things. It can be used for making bows too

Significance to Vietnamese: The Vietnamese probably used rattans, as they grew in the region. Other than that, I'm really not sure. The Vietnamese (according to a comment in part 1) used crossbows more than bows as well.

How the Game Relates it to History: Rattans were tough, so this would likely explain the high pierce armor. Other than that, I'm not really sure.

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Vietnamese - Imperial Skirmisher

Ability: Stronger than Elite Skirmisher. Ranged unit equipped with armor vs. archer attacks.

What it was: It's an upgraded Elite Skirmisher, duh.

Significance to Vietnamese: The Vietnamese used guerilla tactics quite a lot (though, I'm not sure how much in medieval times.) The skirmisher is epic for harassing your enemies, I guess. (I'm really not sure)

How the Game Relates it to History: I think that the skirmisher is supposed to represent peasant armies and guerilla fighters as well as be an anti-archer unit.

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Anyway, that's all for now.
Tysm, love yall

- Polar

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T H E E N D I S N I G H (Just one more part left!!!)