I guess you can gift units without the receiving player to agree, while gifting city need a 'diplo' window and possibly HRE might not accept it (be it either against their spirit or not to upset India or not to support the maintenance).
But I agree that a fortified LB might be better defending except if it is to give free XP (what are the chance of CG LB with full bonus and 20% culture vs a C2 cuirassier, probably not more than 30% ) ?
edit : that would be 10.2 vs 14.4, so a very good chance for free XP for Spullla...
(and without CG or full bonus....)
But I agree that a fortified LB might be better defending except if it is to give free XP (what are the chance of CG LB with full bonus and 20% culture vs a C2 cuirassier, probably not more than 30% ) ?
edit : that would be 10.2 vs 14.4, so a very good chance for free XP for Spullla...
(and without CG or full bonus....)