Indian longbowmen in action

[Tarkus]

Caught a pretty interesting (but annoyingly "300-ish") History Channel show recently on Alexander's Battle of the Hydaspes River. In it, they discussed how Porus' Indian longbowmen would typically anchor their huge 6-foot bows in the ground and kneel on one knee to effectively fire their weapon. These units were apparently rendered effectively useless in the battle because they were unable to anchor their bows in the mud that had been created by the heavy rains of the night before.

I confess that I have yet to see EB's Indian longbowmen in battle, but will probably do so sooner or later as I play through my Baktrian campaign (now at 235BC, mopping up the Saka and beginning to eye the lands to the southeast, beyond the Hindu Kush). I am very curious to know if these units use their weapons in the manner described above, or instead fire them in the traditional manner of other archer units.

Thanks!

[Ibrahim]

Caught a pretty interesting (but annoyingly "300-ish") History Channel show recently on Alexander's Battle of the Hydaspes River. In it, they discussed how Porus' Indian longbowmen would typically anchor their huge 6-foot bows in the ground and kneel on one knee to effectively fire their weapon. These units were apparently rendered effectively useless in the battle because they were unable to anchor their bows in the mud that had been created by the heavy rains of the night before.

I confess that I have yet to see EB's Indian longbowmen in battle, but will probably do so sooner or later as I play through my Baktrian campaign (now at 235BC, mopping up the Saka and beginning to eye the lands to the southeast, beyond the Hindu Kush). I am very curious to know if these units use their weapons in the manner described above, or instead fire them in the traditional manner of other archer units.

Thanks!

sounds more like an ancient arab tactic (minus the anchoring) rather than an Indian one..that said, I wouldn't rule it out.

EDIT: twas battles BC wasn't it?

[Tarkus]

EDIT: twas battles BC wasn't it?

Twas indeed. Good historical analysis in my opinion, but all the sepia-toned landscapes and comic-book blood splatters got a little old.

[antisocialmunky]

*waits for nerd rage to ensue*

I wouldn't call their historical analysis particularly good. Its pretty much slightly dumb down standard history channel fair... so not particularly great. HC has tis moments but I don't think this show is one of them.

[Megas Methuselah]

I stopped taking the history channel too seriously a while back. It's great to watch and all, but there's just been too many times where I'd grind my teeth upon hearing some idiotic historical lie/mistake.

[I of the Storm]

How do they call this kind of stuff? Infotainment? That's about all that is to expect from it, some facts and some more entertainment. Just don't expect anything academic from these shows and you'll be fine and having an hour of fun.

TV+Expectations=Disappointment. Always. Trust me.