Urdesh

Urdesh is a vital Imperial Forge World of the Adeptus Mechanicus, located in the Sabbat Worlds sector in the rimward zones of the Khan Group within the Segmentum Pacificus. This vital forge world played in important role by being a principal supplier to Imperial forces fighting in the Sabbat Worlds Crusade.

History
The early history of this vitally important Forge World has been lost down the long millennia. More than likely, Urdesh was discovered and colonised by early Mechanicum Explorators some time during the Dark Age of Technology or millennia later, during the Great Crusade era.

Sabbat Worlds Crusade
Though there is little in the way of notable references to this forge world, Urdesh does not appear in Imperial history annals until the Sabbat Worlds Crusade (755-778.M41). This Crusade was one of the largest and most significant Imperial military operations undertaken in recent history and ultimately ended in the reconquest of the sector by the armed forces of the Imperium of Man. During the Crusade, Urdesh continued to play an important role by mass-producing and supplying arms, equipment and vehicles for the Imperial forces.

Unfortunately, midway through the Crusade in 765.M41, following the defeat and subsequent enemy retreat from the world of Balhaut, Some Imperial worlds were 'visited' or 'seeded' by fleeing enemy elements seeking hideaways or bolt-holes, or new opportunities to rebuild footholds. Urdesh, one of the principal forge worlds of the Sabbat Worlds, was one of the more significant worlds to suffer this fate. Urdesh had resisted the predatory attacks of the Ruinous Powers for many years, but finally succumbed to mass assault in the post-Balhaut period, 766-767.M41. As a consequence, many of its stockpiled weapons and armoured war machines fell into enemy hands, and were then used against Astra Militarum regiments during the course of the campaign.

This was a grievous blow to the forces of the Sabbat Worlds Crusade, as the advancing armies of Chaos were now able to fully equip themselves with several deadly patterns of Urdeshi weapons and vehicles which were turned on Imperial forces. However, eventually the Imperial forces were able to launch a fierce counter-offensive aimed at the nearby world of Phantine, which managed to liberate Urdesh in the first few months of 772.M41, and halt the Forces of Chaos from performing a flanking manoeuvre that was aimed at the weak underbelly of the Imperial Crusade forces.

Military Forces
Urdesh has a proud tradition of founding excellent Astra Militarum regiments, units noted for their shock troop and assault capabilities, and famous for their black and white 'puzzle camo' battledress. This includes the Urdesh Fourth (Light), Sixth and Tenth, and the famous Seventh Urdeshi Storm-troop.

Manufactoria Capabilities
Urdesh is responsible for producing numerous patterns of weapons and vehicles for the military forces of the Imperium throughout the Sabbat Worlds. This includes the famously potent U90 Assault Cannon, as well as light and heavy armour pieces, many of which were utilised by Chaos forces, including the Blood Pact and later, the Sons of Sek. Urdeshi armour patterns that were to become ubiquitous as enemy machines included the STeG 4 light armoured cars, N20 and N22 pattern half-tracks, Usurper pattern self-propelled guns, AT70 Reaver pattern battle tanks and the monstrous AT83 Brigand pattern super tanks.