What Exactly Are Ancient Indian Maiden Guard?

[pnweerar]

I'm building an ancient Indian army and am not sure what 'Maiden Guard' are. Google searches turn up results for minis but not historical articles, and there's nothing I can find on Wikipedia, either.

If anyone knows their historical origin / background / further reading sources, that would be great! Apologies for my ignorance and thank you for your time!

[williamb]

From "Armies of the Macedonian and Punic Wars" by Duncan Head, figure 94 Indian Palace Guardswoman:  Many Indian Kings had armed guardswomen.   Usually small numbers. Chandragupta is believed to have been the first to use them.   Only depicted armed with a sword.  Megathenes describes them riding horses, chariots, or elephants while accompanying Chandragupta on hunts.  It is not believed that they fought in battles, but if so would have been mounted.

[FierceKitty]

Not that unusual out here in the mysterious east. A frequent reason - apart from an equivalent of the modern gaming urge that produces top-heavies in mail bikinis - was that they could guard the harem without raising the likelihood of a civil war over disputed successions.

[DintheDin]

A similar question has been posted here, since 2014
http://soa.org.uk/sm/index.php?topic=1489.0

[Fremitus Borealis]

Yeah probably really small numbers. Maybe portray them on the base/vignette with your commander?

[OB]

If I'm up to date the current thinking is that they were recruited from Greek women resident in the sub continent.   A consequence of Alexander's campaigns there.

[Poiter50]

Perhaps some remnants of the Scythians that Alexander "recruited"? Weren't there female Massagetae warriors?

If I'm up to date the current thinking is that they were recruited from Greek women resident in the sub continent.   A consequence of Alexander's campaigns there.

[Cat]

If I'm up to date the current thinking is that they were recruited from Greek women resident in the sub continent.   A consequence of Alexander's campaigns there.

Interesting.  I haven't read up on Indian Maiden Guard, but I some time ago I did up some Khmer Maiden Guard for a DBA army.  Most all the evidence we have on the medieval Khmer come from engravings, and there are some depictions of these.  My guess is they were influenced by Indian practice, but may have developed independently.

[pallard]

Hi
As the Khmer and Champa followed strictly the Indian armies' doctrine in organisation I would guess that one can reverse evidence in their use of maiden guards as an Indian way.
Philippe

[FierceKitty]

Also Thais, also the Moghuls.

[OB]

Perhaps some remnants of the Scythians that Alexander "recruited"? Weren't there female Massagetae warriors?

Yes, Scythian young women fought but as horse archers.  The SOA quote linked above mentions a Greek Woman archer.  Interesting.

[pnweerar]

Thank you all kindly for your help with this! Much appreciated!

[vodkafan]

All in all it was a lot better job for a girl than working in the kitchens, doing the laundry or being 25th wife in the harem 

[Irregular Wars Nic]

Just curious, outside of Newline and 1stCorp, are there any other 28mm ranges for maiden guard?

[bigredbat]

I think there were some Sergeant Major Miniatures ones, at one point- I have a pack. Quite small minis IIRC.