Backstories for my Belle Époque imagi-nations: The Principality of Hyderapore

The Principality of Hyderapore is an ancient one and can trace its history back over a thousand years. At one point it controlled a vast area on the continent of Chindia, but as with all empires, over time its power waned, its subject states gained their independence, and for the last two hundred years its boundaries have not changed. It is currently rule by a hereditary Prince (or Rajah) whose family can trace their line back to time immemorial.

The flag of the Prince (or Rajah) of Hyderapore.

Hyderapore has an agriculturally-based economy (rice and wheat are widely grown, and cattle and goats are raised for their milk, their meat, and their skins) and there is some mining and forestry. It has very little heavy industry (some gold and icon smelting does take place near the capital, Hyderapore City) and the country places great reliance on its artisan craftsmen. They produce all sorts of metal and wooden articles such as bowls, drinking vessels, tables, screens, and chairs, and the most delicate and intricate of these are much sought after by collectors.

In more recent times Hyderapore has been threatened by some of its neighbouring states and the colonial powers, and the newly-installed Rajah (or Prince) of Hyderpore made the decision to modernise his army. His disbanded the bulk of the existing army (which mainly comprised a large number of spear and musket-armed peasant infantry, number of regular artillery units armed with ancient smoothbore cannons, and some militia cavalry) and had his bodyguard troops reorganised, trained, and rearmed. As a result, the Army of Hyderapore is a small, well-balanced, modern force that comprises:

• Infantry
• 1st Infantry Regiment
• 2nd Infantry Regiment
• Cavalry
• 1st Lancer Regiment
• 2nd Lancer Regiment
• Artillery
• 1st Artillery Regiment
• Train
• 1st Supply Column