Lets go over options. To note I'm assuming some basic micro of build a settler for 3 turns after worker, start work boat to get 2f in the foodbox, then when wheat finishes grow perfectly to size 2. 1st city goes to steal the wheat in each scenario and 1 pop whip a worker asap.
1) Darius of India : pick agr > bw > AH. 4 forest chops into improving cow.
size 2 settler T23 followed by a T29 settler. Workboat out T30 but can't net until T33
2) Ok, lets try delay AH with imperialistic. Lets just say Victoria of India for no particular reason. I say delay AH, because I'll need fish up to split off to an earlier city. Still 4 chops.
size 2 settler T21, T22 work boat, T27 settler (revolt slavery maybe T28 depending on tech), T33 worker from 2nd city, T34 3rd settler finishes note with giving away fish asap. AH est T35 if go hunting first, don't save a ton of time by not going hunting and get to improve ivory perfect timing. 3 settlers and 2 workers by T34 seems broken and part of me wants to play this just for the funsies. But there is a question if its actually good. I have to most likely permanently split off the fish unless there is food conveniently there because there is no other way the T27 settler has a food to work.
With both the above I am using up 4 forests. If you ever test India it will always be faster, but usually because you are chopping a ton. This is certainly no exception. There isn't a lot of flexibility in settling spots as noted and roads are delayed for a LONG time. Instead of going hunting into AH for option 2 its very possible its correct go wheel first and just keep delaying the plains cow.
3) Lets try some fishing, hunting, agr civ and go for improving all the things and no chops. First thing I learn is I think I can probably do wheel instead of fishing, but could also open mining after AH and could do a mining civ and not do wheel, so opens up a ton. It is awkward as the worker runs out of things to do without wheel and a large chunk of the reason not to go India is instead to go wheel before mining. It is required to have both hunting and agr unless you want the worker either waiting a turn or skip hunting.
- T28 settler followed by a T34 settler. So 5 turns slower than the non imp India pick, but up 4 forests and have all the resources improved AND assuming take wheel have road network going and not as limited on settling spots.
4) Imp of hunt, agr, wheel. Note I'm not as high on fishing to go with, but could. I do think this start wants wheel instead of mining though.
T27 settler followed by a T32 settler, can do two more 5 turn settlers.
Saying choose India for a mining / BW start or do a non mining civ eliminates Rome and Mali as good as both are. That leaves India and probably option 2 although it may be my only chance to do Darius of India so makes me want to do #1. #3 could go with America or Zulu. I'm more tempted to do America if I like this option as #3 would almost certainly be creative and I do want to break America again. #4 would be probably just be Zulu and pick either imp/org or imp/fin on the way back. If both get taken I'm just back to #3 but not America so not the end of the world.
I do love me fast India starts. Playing with regular workers after playing with India fast workers always feels bad. Both #1 and #2 have things I want to do. #3 has things I want to do. #4 more standard and safer, but still pretty fast. I just did fun Neb, so playing something more normal in a more competitive environment isn't something I'm opposed to. I like having wheel for #3 & #4, but India is a hell of a drug. And now I'm just going in circles.
1) Darius of India : pick agr > bw > AH. 4 forest chops into improving cow.
size 2 settler T23 followed by a T29 settler. Workboat out T30 but can't net until T33
2) Ok, lets try delay AH with imperialistic. Lets just say Victoria of India for no particular reason. I say delay AH, because I'll need fish up to split off to an earlier city. Still 4 chops.
size 2 settler T21, T22 work boat, T27 settler (revolt slavery maybe T28 depending on tech), T33 worker from 2nd city, T34 3rd settler finishes note with giving away fish asap. AH est T35 if go hunting first, don't save a ton of time by not going hunting and get to improve ivory perfect timing. 3 settlers and 2 workers by T34 seems broken and part of me wants to play this just for the funsies. But there is a question if its actually good. I have to most likely permanently split off the fish unless there is food conveniently there because there is no other way the T27 settler has a food to work.
With both the above I am using up 4 forests. If you ever test India it will always be faster, but usually because you are chopping a ton. This is certainly no exception. There isn't a lot of flexibility in settling spots as noted and roads are delayed for a LONG time. Instead of going hunting into AH for option 2 its very possible its correct go wheel first and just keep delaying the plains cow.
3) Lets try some fishing, hunting, agr civ and go for improving all the things and no chops. First thing I learn is I think I can probably do wheel instead of fishing, but could also open mining after AH and could do a mining civ and not do wheel, so opens up a ton. It is awkward as the worker runs out of things to do without wheel and a large chunk of the reason not to go India is instead to go wheel before mining. It is required to have both hunting and agr unless you want the worker either waiting a turn or skip hunting.
- T28 settler followed by a T34 settler. So 5 turns slower than the non imp India pick, but up 4 forests and have all the resources improved AND assuming take wheel have road network going and not as limited on settling spots.
4) Imp of hunt, agr, wheel. Note I'm not as high on fishing to go with, but could. I do think this start wants wheel instead of mining though.
T27 settler followed by a T32 settler, can do two more 5 turn settlers.
Saying choose India for a mining / BW start or do a non mining civ eliminates Rome and Mali as good as both are. That leaves India and probably option 2 although it may be my only chance to do Darius of India so makes me want to do #1. #3 could go with America or Zulu. I'm more tempted to do America if I like this option as #3 would almost certainly be creative and I do want to break America again. #4 would be probably just be Zulu and pick either imp/org or imp/fin on the way back. If both get taken I'm just back to #3 but not America so not the end of the world.
I do love me fast India starts. Playing with regular workers after playing with India fast workers always feels bad. Both #1 and #2 have things I want to do. #3 has things I want to do. #4 more standard and safer, but still pretty fast. I just did fun Neb, so playing something more normal in a more competitive environment isn't something I'm opposed to. I like having wheel for #3 & #4, but India is a hell of a drug. And now I'm just going in circles.
can't wait to vicariously live through you when the time inevitably comes for impi shenanigans 
. Listen I like protective, but even though agg is MUCH better, its still not my cup of tea. HOWEVER, it does hedge the Sumeria pick a bit, although I don't know if I like that. IE Sumeria wants room because they don't want to be axed. Aggressive wants to be in closer conflict.