Introduction
For the longest time I wanted to make an Indian themed region. However, there’s so little Indian BAT stuff around, that it’s a little tricky. I’m not good at batting myself, so have to rely on others and a bit on my own ‘creativity’ like lotting some things together. I decided to base the story in a parallel universe, where things have evolved similarly as on Earth, but then again not quite the same. That’s why this CJ might feel very oriental at times, and at other times more eastern/western in general.. So don’t be deceived, it’s the whole intention J
So here we are, let me present you what I have so far, and hopefully you all like it. Those of you who remember my previous CJ, Jacksonville [link to it..] know I kinda like portraying history a bit, so that’s not going to be any different now either. Thanks to everyone out there whose creations came in very handy for this project. So without further ado, may I present you…
GANGYAPUT
Our story starts on a planet in a parallel universe far, far away.. A planet much like ours, in fact very much like ours.. A planet divided by west and east, and all divided by very different cultural backgrounds. And so this story starts on a continent situated far east on the planet and in a time long ago. On this planet, called Industan, there flowed a mighty river called the Gangya. It provided the region with lush green forests and abundance of water. People had flocked to its banks for so long, that even time itself couldn’t remember. On those same banks, a city emerged 4000 years ago, its name, as mystical now as it was then, was Gangyaput – City of the great goddess Gangya. For it was in those days, that the river was worshipped as a goddess, giving life and fertility to all who lived at the rivers’ banks.
Artistic creation of the goddess Gangya
Time is cruel, and not much of those days remains, except for the old city on the high plateau. This high plateau, a large flat hill surrounded on one side by the Gangya, and on the other sides by the Saugangya (side river of the Gangya) has always offered a mighty natural defence against all enemies. It was on this hill, known as Laalkat (meaning Red Hill in Industaniya language), that king Mahater built the first fortress. The fortress stretched the entire length of the hill, and within its walls contained a whole array of buildings, from the king’s personal palace, the Mogh Keela, to servant quarters and gardens. In those days the ordinary people worshipped many gods, while the royal family worshipped only one god. It was the age of the Elothiya.
Painting depicting the fort in King Mahater's time
Time went by, as did the kings. But some 2500 years ago, there arose a new king, a king who like the ordinary people worshipped many gods. And so it was that the age of the Elothiya gave way to the age of the Brahmaniya, they who worship many gods. A new golden age had arisen, and king Brahman decided to construct a magnificent temple, dedicated to the goddess Gangya and to the creator god Brahman, and called it Mahagangyawat, the temple of Gangya the Holiest of Holies. Also he constructed the Baag Saraayat, the Palace of Gardens. This complex housed the summer palace for the king, and had exotic gardens planted on it terraces. So it came to be that king Brahman got crowned the title of Raahaj Brahman , Great King Brahman the worldly-wise of Gangya, on whom the sun never ceases to shine. The king also allowed certain people to live within the walls of the fort, such as close royal relatives, physicians, poets, scribes, etc and so there arose new living quarters within the fort’s walls.
Mahagangyawat - The temple of Gangya
Baag Saraayat - the Royal Gardens
A 1000 years ago, the Brahmaniya dynasty ended, and so the ero of the Nawabiya started. No longer there were kings to occupy the palaces in the City on the Hill, since the Nawabs were no kings but rather army lords. Due to regional war tensions, the hill became more fortified. However, people still continued to live on the hill, but slowly the City on the Hill became nothing more but a beautiful memory and its once great buildings fell into ruin. All that was left were parts of the fort and a few living quarters, from then on the hill was called Lal Qilaah, the Red Fort. But when about a 100 years ago the country got unified and the city of Lakshmitaya became the country’s capital, effort were made to restore its buildings. So today the City on the Hill reflects its glorious and turbulent past, and people lovingly call it Buddhiyapur, the Old City.
The Old City can be seen on the left-hand side, although this picture was taken during the rainy season.
So that was all for this chapter. More screenshots on the Old City will come in the next update! Enjoy!
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