The 11th Rajput Pioneers

My tabletop in Pathos is an odd size at 6ft by 3ft, making it awkward for some games, but my recent game of Blood and steel on a 3ft square tabletop convinced me that 28mm games can work quite well within these constraints.  Its pushed me back towards the Victorians! 

The Colonial armies I'm building in Cyprus are the 11th Rajputs vs a Pathan tribal grouping, this after winning some Artizan Afghan packs in a Wargames illustrated prize draw,  The 11th comprise three Companies of Sepoys and and an attached mule train that includes a mountain gun and crew.

Command figures (Northstar pulp)

Sepoys (Copplestone castings)

Indian Army mountain gun (Minifigs!)

6 Guides Light Infantry

Three Sergeants

A 1930s Hollywood blacked up actor/British secret agent with no idea of how offensive he is.

The Swaat Valley Pathanis are ruled by the enigmatic Afzul Fatti Khan, Lord of the Fly Swaat.

40 plastic Pathans
8 metal jezail men 
3 gun crew.
8 Thuggee.

Terrain

2d/3d scrunched brown parcel paper hills.

The fort. It's only 3 sides I'm afraid
Swaat Valley Sangars, a wadi and a rickety bridge.

The British invariably named Islamic religous 

Leaders "the Mad Mullah," even if they were Eton and Oxford educated don't y' know.  A range of characters from authors such as Kipling, and William Dalrymple will populate the Swaat.

Scenarios

Ambush

Patrol

Forage

Defend

Vanguard

Raid

Tactical situation
A Just passing by
B Seek and Destroy
C To the last bullet
D Get off my land
E Run to the hills
F Take the High road
G It's awfully quiet out there
H A sigh of relief

The promotion system Rebels and Patriots is the basis for a campaign.  The Company starts with a 2nd Lieutenant in charge.  New Officers have d20 honour, a zero Tactical value and begin with one Trait.  Earning honour points allows an officer to climb the ranks in recognition of his deeds of glory.

Honour - Rank Table

0   -  sent home in disgrace or offered the "Gentleman's way out."

1-20   - Second Lieutenant - 1 trait 0 tactical value

21-30  - Lieutenant  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

31-45  -  Captain  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

46-60  -  Major  -  +1 Trait  +1 tactical value

61+  Transferred to command a battalion as Colonel.

Rajputs assemble!

Command group, adds to another group for these rules

The Mountain gun.  I add a few mules when it's moving.

Three groups, each under a Naik or Havildar.

Three European Sergeants who inexplicably and unhistorically lead the Pioneers.

The Commisary, Havildar Ranjit Ram and his boss Lt Cosmo Smallpiece.

11th Rajputs

4 Companies of 12 Infantry.
1 attached Mountain gun from Prince Albert's Own Bengal Artillery, on mules. 
1 attached pioneer cart.

Major Willie Stroker, SM. VD

Drunkard - Brave

Capt Myles S. Long (Miles Schlong to the ladies)

Wobbly kneed - Short sighted

Lt Drew Peacock, BBQ. Guides Platoon

Tactician - Brutal

2nd Lt Hugh Jeers PDQ, 

Nom de Guerre - Lucky

2nd Lieutenant "Spotty" Herbert Farthingdale, CBA, (dogsbody)

Unlucky - Bullet proof bumbler

Artillery Attached

Prince Albert's Own Bengal Artillery, Mountain Gun

2nd Lt Barkinge-Madly FA, Certified.

Big bore advocate - steady

Subedar Major A (Andy) D Pandi 

Peacock - Steady

Havildar Major Vikram McSingh

Feared - Ugly

Havildar Charu Graunt

The favoured nephew - lucky

Havildar Dilip Fairbanks Jr

Inspirational - Swordsman

Each platoon has a Naik and 12 figures

Subedar "Blood Letter" Pant, Battalion Surgeon 

Feared - Ugly

Commisary Officer 2nd Lt Cosmo Smallpiece

Unlucky - idiot

Commisary Havildar Rangit Ram

(Randi was cursed by the Mad Fakir to serve the British until the Raj comes to an end.  He is either an immortal existence, or a massive liar.)

Mule train.

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The Rajputs battle cry is " Bajrang Bali ki Jai"  a prayer to Hanuman, the Monkey God, to move a mountain... ie perform a heavy task.