India: Ashoka's path to glory

Around 130 BCE, the Mauryan Empire, though still thriving and powerful, faced yet another threat to its borders. This time, the invaders came not from the Hellenistic west but from the vast, rugged steppes of Central Asia—the Indo-Scythians. These nomadic tribes, fierce warriors known for their exceptional cavalry and raiding tactics, began to push southward into the Indian subcontinent, threatening the northern reaches of the Mauryan Empire.

Led by their king, Azes I, the Indo-Scythians sought to carve out a kingdom for themselves in the rich and fertile lands of northern India. Azes I, having already established a formidable empire in the regions of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan, sought to expand his influence into the heart of India. His ambitions were great, and he believed that the Mauryan Empire, still recovering from the Greco-Bactrian invasion, would be an easy target for his well-trained cavalry.

The Indo-Scythians, skilled in horseback riding and archery, were known for their lightning-fast raids and guerrilla warfare tactics. Azes I's army, composed mainly of cavalry, was highly mobile and capable of striking swiftly at any weak point along the Mauryan Empire's vast borders. They advanced through the northwestern passes of the Indian subcontinent, heading toward the heart of the empire, hoping to seize control of the northern territories.

However, they had underestimated the strength of the Mauryan Empire. The fortifications Ashoka had built along the western and northern borders, including key passes like the Khyber and the regions near Taxila, stood as formidable obstacles to any invader. The Mauryan military, led by Emperor Sanghamitra II Maurya, had grown more powerful and better organized over the years, thanks to Ashoka's legacy of a well-trained, massive army.

When the Indo-Scythians first entered the empire's northern regions, they encountered stiff resistance from the Mauryan garrisons stationed along the border. But the Indo-Scythians, with their superior cavalry, managed to bypass some of the fortifications and push further into the heart of the Mauryan Empire. They struck at several small towns and villages, looting and pillaging as they went. News of their raids spread quickly, and panic began to set in across the northern territories of the empire.

Emperor Sanghamitra II, however, was not one to be easily rattled. He knew that his father's strategic foresight had provided the empire with a strong defense system, but he also understood that the Mauryan military had to be mobilized swiftly to deal with this new threat. Drawing upon the strength of the empire's 2-million-strong army and the seasoned generals who had fought in previous campaigns, he devised a plan to repel the invaders once and for all.

The Mauryan army, already battle-hardened and disciplined, was deployed in full force to counter the Indo-Scythian threat. Sanghamitra II knew that he had to act quickly before the Scythians could gain a foothold in the empire. He gathered his commanders and devised a strategy that would not only stop the Indo-Scythians but also deliver a crushing blow to their ambitions.

The Mauryan forces were organized into several contingents, each tasked with securing key positions along the Indo-Scythian advance. The Mauryan army was a balanced force, consisting of well-trained infantry, archers, cavalry, and war elephants, all of which would prove invaluable in the upcoming battle. The army was strategically positioned along the western and northern borders, ensuring that no single force would be able to break through.

Sanghamitra II also took a page from his father's book and ordered the construction of temporary fortifications at key points along the northern front. These fortifications would act as strongholds, preventing the Indo-Scythians from advancing further into the empire while giving the Mauryan army time to organize a decisive counteroffensive.

The battle came to a head when the Indo-Scythians, under King Azes I, attempted to launch a major assault on the city of Taxila, one of the most important cities in the Mauryan Empire. Taxila, fortified with massive walls and guarded by elite Mauryan soldiers, became the focal point of the conflict. The Indo-Scythians, confident in their cavalry's ability to outmaneuver the Mauryan forces, launched a series of raids against the city, hoping to break its defenses.

However, they were met with fierce resistance. The Mauryan defenders, entrenched within the city's fortifications, held their ground and repelled the initial wave of attacks. Azes I, frustrated by the lack of progress, decided to escalate the conflict by sending a larger portion of his cavalry to break through the city's defenses. He believed that once Taxila fell, the rest of the Mauryan Empire would crumble before his superior forces.

But Sanghamitra II had anticipated this move. He had stationed a large portion of his army outside the city, ready to launch a counterattack. As the Indo-Scythian cavalry pushed forward, the Mauryan forces, using their superior numbers and tactical advantage, launched a devastating ambush. The Indo-Scythian cavalry, caught off guard, was overwhelmed by the Mauryan soldiers, who expertly encircled and cut off their retreat.

The battle that followed was a decisive one. The Mauryan forces, using their war elephants and disciplined infantry, broke the Indo-Scythian lines. The Scythians, despite their skill in cavalry warfare, were no match for the well-coordinated and highly disciplined Mauryan army. The Indo-Scythians were forced to retreat, suffering heavy casualties. Azes I, realizing that his forces were no longer capable of withstanding the might of the Mauryan military, ordered a full withdrawal from the battlefield.

The defeat of the Indo-Scythians was a turning point for the Mauryan Empire. Not only had the empire successfully repelled an invasion from a powerful foreign force, but the victory also demonstrated the strength and resilience of the Mauryan military. The Indo-Scythians, once seen as a threat to the empire, were now a defeated enemy, their ambitions shattered by the overwhelming might of the Mauryan Empire.

In the aftermath of the battle, Emperor Sanghamitra II Maurya addressed his people, praising their bravery and the strength of the empire. He knew that the defeat of the Indo-Scythians would serve as a powerful reminder to any future invaders that the Mauryan Empire, built on the wisdom and foresight of Ashoka, was an unbreakable force. The empire's fortifications, military organization, and strategic planning had once again proven their worth, ensuring the continued stability and prosperity of the Mauryan Empire for generations to come.

The Indo-Scythians, humbled and defeated, retreated back to their homeland, and the Mauryan Empire stood victorious, its borders secure and its legacy further solidified in the annals of history.

In this chapter, the Indo-Scythians, led by King Azes I, invade the Mauryan Empire but are decisively defeated by the Mauryan military. The chapter highlights the strategic decisions made by Emperor Sanghamitra II Maurya, the strength of the Mauryan military, and the lasting impact of Ashoka's fortifications and military organization on the empire's ability to defend itself against external threats.