Kalmuks are a type of missile cavalry in Empire: Total War.
Description[]
These light cavalrymen are superb horsemen, expert in skirmishing and harassing an enemy.
There is a long tradition on the steppes of fighting from horseback. Children are put in the saddle before they can walk, and this makes them almost part of the horse. In previous centuries, accurately firing a bow while riding at speed requires a man who has expectional ability with both weapon and a horse. Steppe warriors can control their horses using their knees, and without the need to hold the reins they can use weapons easily and well. Their tactics has always involved galloping up to a slower enemy, delivering a devastating volley, and then riding away again. This way of warfare has survived in the era of pistols and muskets, although most steppe warriors carry numerous weapons (if they can) to avoid reloading in the heat of battle.
Historically, all the eastern nations had an ambiguous relationship with the steppe people. They both feared them and wanted their services. This allowed the more cunning steppe tribes to keep a measure of automony when other "natives" were being ruthlessly crushed.