Ganked by Gandhi: it was in 4000bc...

3960bc: Dheli is founded.

Muhatma ('Mohandas Karamchand') Gandhi begins his long journey as the leader of the Indian people. He has taken a vow to ensure the harmony, happiness and well being of his little empire. But key to Gandhi's principals is the belief in non violence. He will govern his land in peace.

I've a lot to live up to...

The other day while playing Civ 5 I was mullered by a rampaging civilisation who, having spotted my weakness following a lengthy war, suddenly attacked the heart of my civilisation. My main army, returning home from distant provinces after bitter fighting, were too far away to help as city after city fell to the rampaging hordes. Who lead the warmongering opportunists? Gandhi, a leader celebrated for his rigid principles of non-violent resistance. It felt wrong, so I am going to put it right. I will play a game of Civ5 completely peacefully.

The rules for this new game: (Anything is blue was updated recently to help clarity)

• I will play on Prince Difficulty (this is my usual difficulty).
• I will use a small map - don't have time for a long game. 
• I will build no military units, I can keep and upgrade any I receive from ruins and my initial starting unit.
• No Barbarians, I hate them anyway but without an army of any kind they are a little bit pesky!
• No saves (apart from backups against crashes etc) I'll just have to accept the consequences of my decisions.
• No wiki - no grinding the best strategy, I am on my own for this one.
• I will not accept any units from a Militaristic city state (as i remember you can turn them off)
• I will not attack any enemy unit unless they are in my territory (which i believe is acceptable in the spirit of self defence)

Any bets for how long i last (I'm not that great a Civ player)? We shall see...

3880bc: Cape Town discovered

Gandhi's explorers return quicker than expected. Apparently the land chosen as the Empire's home was not as big as expected. This small island does not yield much in the way of resources and little space for expansion, Gandhi resolves to ensure his people learn the ways of the sea quickly so he can spread his influence to other lands. They did find however Cape Town, a small maritime city state with markets full of Pearls.

I chose to play on Archipelago to try and make things easier, I reasoned that without a land threat (as long as I didn't start with another civilisation on my island) that I could buy up a small but powerful navy to protect myself. That was before I remembered that I couldn't make any ships, as they are military units, or be given them by a city state and so was unlikely to be able to create a small navy. However if I made a few work boats (none military units) I would at least have some early warning of impending invasion. I would have to settle for a small land force for protection, as long as I could find enough ruins. My best bet was to prevent a war from starting in the first place. For that though I need money so research into Bronze working (for the colossus +1 commerce in water tiles) is the best way to start. I also go for Tradition as my first policy. Gandhi's bonuses suit a small empire and Tradition helps with swelling the confers.

Wow... thanks, I'm glad I hired you!

3160bc: Bronze working discovered

3000bc: Work on Colossus started - 'It's big' commented Gandhi

2920bc: Poetry discovered - People no longer have to eat from hands, hot meals served for first time.

2600bc: Sailing discovered

2240bc: Met Persians - Gandhi vows to crush them under his iron fist, then reluctantly remembers he is a peaceful person.

Scholars also report the construction of a great lighthouse in a far off land. It must be bloody massive if they can see it from Gandhi's small island.

Its a strange feeling. When I meet Persia I know any potential conflict is a long way off, that is if I can't avoid it completely with diplomacy. We are not close and have no potential disputes like contested borders. But i feel naked. With no army (my only warrior off exploring) and not enough money to buy an army quickly I'm effectively defenceless. By this point in normal games I'm starting to construct well rounded armed forces. Instead I hunker down and ruthlessly pursue technological and economical growth. I have heard it said that diplomacy is the silk glove that conceals an iron fist, meaningful talks only come from a position of strength. There are a few exceptions of brilliant political manoeuvring of turning weakness into strength. Ironically one of the most famous is the early years of British colonialist control of India. They succeeded in the ruse of hiding extreme political weakness in India into the illusion of strength through extravagant yet hollow expressions of wealth and power.

Gandhi wasn't expecting the song and dance routine.

I hope to do the same thing. I realised that my best hope is to be the Diplomatic puppet master but instead of using military force I'm going to stuff my silk glove with resources, money and technology. I'm going to be the person everyone needs on their side to supply them with the things they need to govern their people. The key is to be indispensable. Now I've just got to invent money...