Hindustanis

Overview

Hindustanis are part of Age of Empires II, representing South Asia and emphasizing camels & gunpowder. Their signature roster includes the Ghulam. Villagers become cheaper as the game advances.

Civilization identity

Hindustanis is classified as South Asia and is centered on camels & gunpowder. Its defining roster entrys are Ghulam, Imperial Camel Rider. This focus is a starting point for reading the technology tree, not a requirement to use only one unit line: the bonuses and matchup determine which parts of the roster are worth investing in. In team games, camel and light cavalry deal more damage to standard buildings; account for this while choosing allies and deciding which role the civilization should cover.

Civilization bonuses and their value

Each bonus applies to a specific part of the economy, army, or map plan. Read the effect together with its target: a discount matters when it changes a build or upgrade timing, while a combat bonus matters only when the affected unit or structure is actually fielded.

• Villagers become cheaper as the game advances This changes the resource investment or timing needed to field the affected option.
• Camel Riders attack faster This directly changes the named unit or structure in combat, so it is strongest when the affected line is part of the army or defense.
• Gunpowder units gain armor This directly changes the named unit or structure in combat, so it is strongest when the affected line is part of the army or defense.
• Caravanserais become available in the Imperial Age This changes access to a unit, building, or resource and can open a timing or map-control option earlier than usual.

Signature units and unique technologies

Ghulam: Hindustani infantry that resists arrows and thrusts through multiple enemies Imperial Camel Rider: A Hindustani cavalry upgrade specialized for confronting mounted armies These units define the civilization’s distinctive options. Its unique technologies add later-game choices; compare their effects with the cost and research timing before committing resources.

• Grand Trunk Road: Gold income is faster and trading fees are lower
• Shatagni: Hand Cannoneers gain range

Civilization game plan

The guide below connects the civilization’s bonuses to an opening, a main army, a transition, and the principal risk to watch. Adapt the sequence after scouting rather than treating it as a fixed build order.

• Opening: Use cheaper Villagers to keep Town Center production moving while preparing safe Feudal pressure.
• Core army: Camel Riders and ranged or gunpowder support replace the conventional Knight-centered plan.
• Transition: Carry the economic lead into Castle and Imperial Age, choosing camels, gunpowder, and siege to match the opponent.
• Watch for: There is no Knight line; do not treat Camels as a direct substitute in every matchup.

Technology tree gaps

This civilization-specific tree marks the units, research, and upgrades that are unavailable. Check the named production building or research line before planning a transition; the gaps can rule out an otherwise familiar counter or upgrade.

• Barracks: Halberdier, Gambesons
• Archery Range: Arbalester, Parthian Tactics
• Stable: Knight, Battle Elephant, Steppe Lancer
• Siege Workshop: Battering Ram, Siege Onager, Heavy Scorpion
• Castle: Sappers
• Dock: Fast Fire Ship, Heavy Demolition Ship, Shipwright, Dry Dock
• Monastery: Atonement, Heresy
• Defensive structures: Keep, Bombard Tower
• Blacksmith: Plate Mail Armor
• University: Architecture, Bombard Tower, Keep, Heated Shot, Arrowslits, Treadmill Crane, Dry Dock, Shipwright, Siphons
• Mill: Crop Rotation
• Market: Guilds

Team-game role

The team bonus is Camel and light cavalry deal more damage to standard buildings. This can help define a complementary team role. Coordinate it with allied civilizations that can use the bonus or cover a weakness in the roster.