Beginnings & History
The name Mandaka has always been associated with well-known strategists and tacticians. In the earliest times of Terran history, those descended from the Mandaka tribes of southwestern India were known to have aided Hannibal on his crusades. During these times, Hannibal noted that members of the Mandaka tribe were content with raising a family, but were vicious warriors when threatened, symbolizing the duality of Shiva the Creator, and Shiva the Destroyer. Thus the association between Mandaka and Shiva the Destroyer was born. When the great monsoon floods came to the their lands, the Mandakas were looked to for leadership, and successfully led several thousand people into the highlands to save them from drowning in the yearly floods. Other legends tell of the Mandakas, like the eight-armed totem of Shiva, having managed to plan and execute multi pronged attacks when faced by superior forces.
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Evolution of the Family Heraldry
The Mandaka family had one of the earliest known family crests, symbolized by a flaming red Harvest Moon on a jet black shield, with a golden dagger diagonally across, symbolizing the duality of Shiva the Creator, and Shiva the Destroyer.

The crest has gone through many changes over the millennia. The most recent is the House crest in royal blue, with five gold stars, mostly symbolizing the Mandaka family's successful planning of the five most pivotal battles that gave rise to the Minnesota Tribe's place as a powerful Periphery State, and the lion rampant, symbolizing the courage of the Mandaka Knights.
 
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Leaders & Strategists
The Mandakas are well known in Terran contemporary history as the leaders of armies, the planners and engineers of massive troop movements. This name has been connected with several successful defenses of Free Rasalhague Republic territories from the numerous attempts of House Liao to annex FRR territory. Three prominent leaders from House Mandaka accompanied Aleksandr Kerensky on the first Exodus, and were acknowledged leaders in Clan Wolverine before the clan's Trial of Annihilation.
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Current Events
The Minnesota Tribe now looks to Knights of House Mandaka to plan major military campaigns, and to train young warriors in some of the most effective strategies and tactics known throughout the periphery. Battlemechs used by the Knights of House Mandaka always bear the House Crest and vary in armor color. As a tribute to their humble beginnings and ancestry, all sport the 9 blue stripes (four on each arm, 1 diagonally across the torso) signifying their multi faceted victories as if they were Shiva the Destroyer himself.
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The Mandaka Avatar - Shiva The Destroyer
Shiva is a Hindu god who personifies duality, and both the destructive and the procreative forces of the universe. As the Destroyer, he is represented wearing a necklace of skulls and surrounded by demons. As the Creator, he is represented with the lingam, a phallic emblem, symbolizes his reproductive aspect. Shiva is also the god of asceticism and art. Some Hindus worship Shiva as the supreme deity and consider him a benevolent god of salvation as well as a god of destruction.
Notable Personalities, Past & Present:
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Chandrahas Mandaka
(2754 - 2779)

As the first Mandaka known to be in service with the Star League, this one Mechwarrior could very well be the most remembered Mandaka in the histories of the SLDF's 5th Corp. Serving as a Corporal in the 238th Royal Battlemech Division, on September 3rd 2779, Corporal Mandaka was part of a lance directly advancing on Stefan Amaris' stronghold in Canada. In a pivotal moment, Corporal Mandaka rushed a heavily fortified position that was keeping General Kerensky's forces at bay, and by detonating the fusion reactor in his Black Knight, destroyed a critical Turret control tower, as well as two other Battlemechs, which turned the tides on the battle. The result of his efforts can be directly linked to the capturing of Stefan Amaris, and his eventual execution. Having witnessed Corporal Mandaka's ultimate sacrifice, General Kerensky awarded Corporal Chandrahas Mandaka the Star League Medal of Honor as well as establishing the Mandaka House on Chandrahas' behalf as a family of great honor within the Star League.

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Tarak Mandaka
(2981 - 3058)

The son of Samir and Bala Mandaka, Tarak served as the Logistics and Supply Officer of the 331st RBD while they began establishing the unit in the Periphery of the Inner Sphere. While helping to care for the Draconis Combine refugee's taken during the raid on the DCMS Planet -, Tarak met and fell in love with a young Draconis warrior by the name of Kanishi Onizawa. They soon had several children, the first of whom they named after Chandrahas Mandaka. And with Kanishi's insistence, Chandrahas was raised in the spirit of Bushido, and the arts that went along with that type lifestyle.

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Charles Mandaka
Country/World of Origin, (year born - year died)

The first son of Tarak and Kanishi Mandaka, Charles was originally named Chandrahas after his Great Grandfather, six generations gone. Raised by his mother in the tradition of Bushido, Charles excelled in the martial arts, and soon found a flair for Battlemech Piloting. But it wasn't until after receiving a Commission within the 331st RBD, that Charles' true gifts for operational organization became apparent. After becoming a close advisor to Lord Titan Konrad, Charles rose in the Officer ranks rather quickly. After Lord Konrad retired from service, Charles began service under General deVega, whom he'd attended school with at the Tribal Military Academy. During service under General deVega, Charles was assigned as an advisor to the First Lord of the restored Star League. It was here that Charles Mandaka showed his vast skills in the diplomatic arena. And it was his performance as serving as the Star League "Aide to Council" that resulted in an unprecedented gathering of forces throughout the Inner Sphere under the banner of the Star League. It was these very forces, lead by his friend and comrade General deVega, that resulted in the large series of victories against the Clan Invaders. Not since the battle of Tukyed, have the Inner Sphere forces known such victory.

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James Dilan Mandaka
(2993 - )

The son of Charles and Kristie Mandaka, James is beginning to show an interest in Battlemech piloting like his father. Charles is currently trying to secure a slot for James in the Tribal Military Academy.

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Josie Elizabeth Mandaka
(3052 - )

The daughter of Charles and Kristie Mandaka, Josie has been showing a quick growing ability for communication skills. She will be watched closely to see if she carries the same traits that her father has become known for

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Jonathan "Feral" Mandaka
(3036 -Present )

Not much is known of Feral’s early years. While being transported to a new Wolf in Exile training facility, the dropship carrying Feral and his sibkin was attacked by pirates. Only a few of the escape pods made it to the surface of the planet. An agriculturally based community discovered Feral’s pod. As he had no memory of a previous life, they took him in as one of their own. But, as he grew older, his differences became more pronounced. At the age of 16, he ran away. Hearing about a Wolf in Exile outpost on the far side of the planet, he decided to head there. As the warriors there turned him away, something caught the eye of the saKhan, who happened to be in residence at the time. He was tested and it was discovered that he was the last of the missing sibko, all others having perished. By the order of the saKhan, he was placed with another group and was allowed to train. He excelled at training and instruction, as well as having a tremendous grasp of tactics. At the age of 25, he was given the opportunity for a Bloodname. He won the Bloodname Fetladral, but within a week, the Clan was irretrievably split. The 11th Wolf Guard left the Wolves in Exile, due to some disagreement between the Khan and saKhan. Eventually, both would be destroyed. In the final battle, Feral was wounded almost to death. Almost half of his body was destroyed in a blast that destroyed his mech. His body was found and transported to a secret medical research facility. There, they replaced most of the left side of his body with experimental implants and cybernetics. At the age of 27, he was adept at surviving on his own. He used his skills wherever he could, even as a Mercenary. Eventually, he joined Raiden’s Immortal Pirates. While there, he distinguished himself early. He set up a training regiment for the Pirates and became the strategist and Field Commander for the Immortals. He worked his way up to First Mate before treachery and a well-timed ambush destroyed most of the Immortals. The Minnesota Tribe discovered Feral’s escape pod. After several months recovering, he was offered a position as a Cadet within the Tribe. As he had nowhere else to go, he gladly accepted. Feral excelled through Cadet training, despite his injuries, and attained the rank of Private. The Tribe immediately saw that Feral’s experience would be beneficial. He was allowed to lead several raids, despite his rank. At the age of 31, Feral was given the honor and privilege of fighting for the rank of Knight for House Mandaka. When the last shot was fired and the dust settled Feral’s mech was the last one standing.

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Bibliography:
Star League Defense Forces database on the information on the unit as a Corps during the time frame of 2764-2784.
House Steiner Sourcebook First Edition, courtesy of Dean Johnson.

Credits:
331st-Minnesota Tribe insignia illustration ©1996 by Christopher T. Merkel (e-mail)
Star League-Cameron Star insignia ©FASA Corporation, redrawn for web
display purposes by Christopher T. Merkel (e-mail)

Photographs in History section (mthistory*.html) are ©United Kingdom Royal Army, and the United States Marine Corps through MarineLink, various photographers, www.army.mod.uk and www.usmc.mil for more information. Images used without permission for non-profit organization. All other images contained herein, unless otherwise specified, are ©1999 by Christopher T. Merkel (e-mail)