Indus

The Indus society follows a simple caste division: all women are free and considered full citizens of the nation, while all men are naturally inferior in strength, intellect and potential, thus being automatically declared slaves when born.
Indus scholars had very good arguments for such a system, but the underlying philosophy was lost and no one really cared to revive it. Reiklandish research suggests that the ancient civilization on which the Indus has been built was based on a much more complex caste system, which at some point became extremely violent against women, leading to a widespread rebellion of the women warriors and subsequent inversion of values. The Saamraaj of Indus is ruled by a Raaji, who usually only ratifies the decrees discussed among a loyal council. Legally, there are no marriages. Men are essentially slaves who serve the purpose of fighting, breeding, and doing heavy tasks, but nothing else. Indi nobles, wishing to birth stronger daughters, often make deals with warriors of Reikland - the closest non hostile nation -, agreeing that any daughter born of the relation will stay in the Indus and receive the best education, and any son will be returned to Reikland without harm. Deals of this kind are so common that they have an official name and are encouraged by the Raaji: "convenience encounter".
The Saamraaj of Indus is by far the most supremacist nation around. Being an island with a small population, small army and unorthodox society for the rest of the world's standards, Indi society is obsessed with breeding, training and education programs. Sending a daughter to study in the Indus is a dream of many Serkish and Reikish nobles. Disabled or otherwise weak girls are executed unceremoniously after birth, and diseases that lead to debilitating or permanent damage are fought against vigorously by the physician elite. In fact, they have even discovered a way to prevent some diseases before one is ever afflicted.
The Halfings of the Moors often trade with Indi cities, exchanging large amounts of fish, barley, and tobacco for coin and their protection against foreign invaders.
Regular Indi warriors enlist for a 3-year tour in the army, followed by 12 months leave for compulsory pregnancy. After the initial 3 months, the child is sent to the education grounds and the mother is free to return to the royal army. Despite having a somewhat communitarian concept of parenthood, all children are tracked and have their parents registered, in order to allow study of superior breeding couples.
The Indi follow a policy of gelding men before enlisting them into their army - this is similar to an ancient practice of castrating male servants before allowing them to serve in a noble court or family. It is a sign of dominance, and also to prevent them from fooling around on campaign. The exception is the Indari Uncut, ungelded men who don well-crafted arms and armor, serving as an exclusive elite heavy infantry regiment.
The Saamraaj has an elite fighting core called the Oathsworn Guard. Older Indi warriors, no longer able to bear children and thus to contribute to the betterment of the society, are allowed to enlist in the royal army for permanent service. The continuous training and absence of the maternity leave makes them exceptional fighters. Most of the royal archers are the warriors still in their fertile age, which is why they are assigned as ranged troops, thus staying far from direct harm.
The Indi spy network is composed mainly of prostitutes liberated in raids and invasions. Many of the prostitutes in Tremalking, Midway and Alantris are actually members of the Eastern Sisterhood, an order of convicted Indi or liberated foreign prostitutes, who pass on to the Raaji all secrets heard during their work hours.
For many centuries the Indus has held back the Dread Empire from swallowing the world. Fierce and proud, they ask for no help, enduring the constant barrage of Ever Victorious Armies sent against them. However, they are slowly losing ground, inch by inch, island after island. It is only a matter of time before the Indus itself is invaded.
The Saamraaj of Indus is also the only nation to use the Solar calendar and base their months on cycles of 31 days.

Type

Continent

Location under

Azure

Included Organizations

• Saamraaj of Indus