Overview

Chandragupta is a hex-based tactical wargame in the Great Battles of History (GBoH) series by GMT Games. It simulates battles fought by the Mauryan Dynasty in ancient India (319-261 BC). Players command armies featuring the distinctive four-fold Indian army (chaturangabala): foot soldiers, chariots, elephants, and cavalry. The game emphasizes leadership, command and control, and the tactical use of diverse troop types. Each hex represents 70 yards; each turn represents 15-20 minutes.

Components

• Multiple battle maps (hex grids)
• Hundreds of unit counters (infantry, cavalry, elephants, chariots, leaders)
• Chaos cards
• Dice
• Rules booklet and playbook
• Player aid cards
• Scenario booklets

Setup

Setup varies by scenario. Generally:

1. Select a scenario from the playbook.
2. Place the appropriate map.
3. Deploy units according to scenario instructions (each side has designated starting hexes).
4. Place leaders with their units.
5. Prepare the Chaos card deck if applicable.

Turn Structure

The GBoH system uses an initiative-based turn structure:

1. Rout and Rally Phase: Check morale of routed units; attempt to rally them.
2. Command Phase: Each player attempts to activate leaders to command their units.
3. Movement and Combat: Activated units may move and fight. Non-activated units have limited options.
4. End Phase: Check victory conditions, update markers.

Leaders can conduct “extra” activations and “trump” opponents based on their quality ratings.

Actions

Movement

Units move through hexes, with movement costs varying by terrain. Different unit types have different movement allowances. The four-fold army types:

Unit Type	Role
Patti (Foot soldiers)	Infantry backbone; hold ground
Rathin (Chariots)	Shock troops; powerful charges
Hasti (Elephants)	Devastating assault units; can panic
Ashva (Cavalry)	Mobile flanking forces

Combat

Combat is resolved through the GBoH combat system involving:

• Shock combat (melee charges)
• Missile fire (ranged attacks)
• Combat results based on differential between attack and defense values modified by terrain, facing, and unit condition
• Morale checks after combat

Leadership

Leaders are critical for activating units. Higher-quality leaders can:

• Activate more units per turn
• Conduct additional activations
• Trump opponent activations
• Rally routing troops more effectively

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Victory conditions are scenario-specific, typically based on:

• Rout points accumulated (destroying or routing enemy units)
• Control of key terrain objectives
• Elimination of enemy leaders

Each scenario specifies the exact victory point thresholds.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

• Elephants can cause panic among friendly units if they rout.
• Chariots are powerful on open ground but vulnerable in rough terrain.
• The Simple GBoH rules provide a streamlined alternative for faster play.
• Terrain effects significantly modify combat and movement.
• Stacking limits restrict how many units can occupy a hex.
• Supply and fatigue rules apply in longer scenarios.

Player Reference

Turn phases: Rout/Rally > Command > Movement/Combat > End

Unit types: Infantry, Chariots, Elephants, Cavalry

Combat modifiers: Terrain, facing, unit quality, leader presence, fatigue

Key concept: Leaders drive everything – without activation, units have minimal options.