- ARCHIVE - Khanate Court of the Timurids

[Hamilcar]

The al-agta Khanate


Aga-Khan Yesugai

Yesugai aga Khan, Sultan of Samarkand, Shahanshah of Persia, Brother of Hytshtej Khan, Son of Unegen Khan, Son of the famed Dsaluu Jambyn, Slaughter of Infidels, Great Khan of the Golden Horde and later Great Khan and founder of the Al-Agta Khanate, son of Ulugh Muhammad the Bagatur of the Golden Horde,the bane of Russians, Poles, Lithuans, Greeks, Turkomen, Arabs and Chinese.

Index

• The Lands and Domains of Yesugai
• Office of the Census
• Council of the Princes
• Office of Foreign Correspondence and Trade
• Office of War
• Important Characters
• Office of the Historians
  

The Lands and Domains of Yesugai

Office of the Census

The Office of the Census counts the subjects of Yesugai aga-Khan and determines the amout of taxes each province must pay. The Quaestor also presides over the plentiful coffers of the aga-Khan.


Nation: Timurid Empire
Head of State: Yesugai agha-Khan
Player: Hamilcar
Religion: Sunni
Culture: Mongol, Afghani
Stats: 6/2/2(4)/3/7(8) --> [6/2/5/3/4(+1 GH)]
Provinces: 24
Ports: 3
Owned: Samarkand, Bukhara, Elbruz, Meched, Khorasan, Herat, Hamadan, Tabaristan, Lut, Kerman, Birjand, Awhaz, Isfahan, Fars, Hormouz, Mekran, Iraq, Uzbek, Khiva, Khwarizm, Karabogaz, Turkmenistan, and Kara Kum
and Basrah
Annexations of Jerusalem, the Kaliphate +2 tech
Trade events +1Tech and +1eco to jan-mar 1444
Loan to Golden Horde -1 eco

Council of the Princes

The al-agta Khanate is divided into ten Emirates, Khanates and other fiefdoms governed by trusted vassals of the Khan. The Council of Princes itself has little function besides ceremonial and carries no power as such.



Emirate of al-Iraq
Ruler: The Most Righteous Emir Abdul ibn al-Qalasini, Prince of Baghdad
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Iraq, Barsah.

The Emirate of al-Iraq is the centre of Sunni power, with the population almost entirely Sunnites. The ruling class is split between Sunni and Seveners. Many eastern Christians (Monophysites, Nestorians) as well as Jews also live in and around Baghdad. The Silk Road passes through Baghdad, making it exceedingly rich. Baghdad is also a center of learning and scholarship.



Emirate of Tabaristan
Ruler: The Most Righteous Emir Shayk Qaysar ibn Abi'l Qasim, General of the West
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Hamadan, Tabaristan, Lut.

The Emirate of Tabaristan has many close links with al-Iraq. Both are heavily Sunni as well as Arab. Tabaristan is also home of the Western Armies.



Shah of Esfahan
Ruler: The Most Pious Shah Shayk Taqi al-Din Ayyub, Guardian of the Ayatollah, General of the South.
Faction: Pro-Shia
Provinces: Ahwaz, Isfahan, Fars, Hormoz.

The city of Isfahan is the southern center of Shia power. The Shah, selected as the ruler in the aga-Khan's stead, who is Shahanshah of all Persia, is the financial backer of many Shia activists, including the Ayatollah Chameney.



Atabeg of Khorsan
Ruler: The Magnificient Kay Kobadh , Captain of the Horsemen.
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Kerman, Birjand, Elbruz, Meched, Khorsan.

Settled mostly by Seljuk Turks, the people of Khorsan are fierce warriors and devout believers. They are paricularly wary of their Shiite neightbours to the south. Khorsan is mostly steppe and the Atabeg is a poor man.



Khanate of Baluchistan
Ruler: The Most Illustrious Mohammad Bahawal Khan, General of the East.
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Baluchistan, Zaiedan, Merkan.

Settled by Seljuks, Persians and Mongols, Baluchistan is a remote area and the home of many great horse warriors.



Afghanistan
Ruler: The Great Loya Jirga.
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Kalat, Quandahar, Quetta, Kabul.

Even more remote than any other province, Afghanistan is ruled by the council of chieftains, the Loya Jirga, who sends representatives to Samarkand to let their will be known. Afghanistan produces plenty Opium for sale in India.



Khanate of Herat
Ruler: The Excellent Ulug Khan, General of the North.
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Surkandaya, Kushka, Herat, Bukhara.

The home of many Persians who are Shia, Yesugai appointed a clan of Mongols to rule over Herat, a rich area, to protect the Silk Road.



Atabeg of Turkmenistan
Ruler: The Magnificient Shayk Mohammad al-Din Ayyub, Governor of Tashkent.
Faction: Pro-Shia
Provinces: Khiva, Uzbekh.

To effectively control the conquered Uzbeks, and to balance Sunni and Shia rulers against each other, Yesugai gave the fief of Turkmenistan to the second son of the Shah of Esfahan.



Khanate of Uzbekistan
Ruler: The Most Just Ali ibn Said, Prince of Yumhur.
Faction: Pro-Sunni
Provinces: Khiva, Uzbekh.

Uzbekistan was split into two to dissolve any rebellious tendencies. To avoid offending too many Sunni rulers, Ali of Baghdad was sent to govern there.

Office of Foreign Correspondence and Trade

The Office of of Foreign Correspondence and Trade manages all letters from and to the aga-Khan and negotiates trade deals. They are also in charge of guarding the Silk Road.

Across the Silk Road, many goods essential to the economies of both the Islamic and Christian world pass from east to west. Silk is only the most prominent amongst them. The road is dangerous and so profits are great.

Main Goods Traded:

• Silk
• Spices (Kinnamon, pepper, curry etc.)
• Tea
• Carpets
• Opium

The al-agta Khanate currently has signed a trade agreement with:

• Venice

Venetian-Timurid Trade Concessions

Part I - Purpose: To reaffrim Venetian and Timurid ties as well as create a trade foundation to profit both parties

Article I - This pact outlines the agreement of the the state of the Timurids, and that of the city state of Venezia.
Article II - The parties have joined together to strengthen their friendship.

Part II - Trade: Venice and the Timurids shall join in trade.

Article I - Venetian merchants will have monopoly, as the single christian nation, to export the four items of spices, silk, fine china, and tea intended for the European market.
Article II - Venetian merchants shall be allowed to buy as much of the other Timruid goods without monopolizing said markets. Venezia shall be the first nation to gain access to these markets.
Article III - Venice will have the right to build and maintain their own warehouses in Aleppo in order to be able to stock purchased goods intended for export and protect such goods.
Article IV - Venetian merchants will pay a 40 percent toll on spices and 35 percent on other kind of goods shipped out by them from any place within the Timurid Empire.
Article V - Venezia will provide the Timurid market with gold and silver at a price of 20% toll.
Article VI - Venezia will provide the Timurids market with wine, oliveoil, and all other goods at cost including shipment and storage.
Article VII - Venezia and the Timurids shall enter into a price-fixing policy that controls the base price for all above mentioned goods. These decisions are to be made at least once every 2 years (or when needed) by way of agreement between the Doge of Venezia and the Khan of the Timurids (or whomever these two parties choose to represent them)

Part III - Limitations to this agreement

Article I - This pact is valid for tenyears from the day of signing.

[x]Doge Francesco Foscari, Doge of Venezia, Duke of Dalmatia, Istria, Overlord of Bulgaria, Crete, Dobrudja, Kerch
[x]Yesugai Khan, the bane of Russians, Poles, Lithuans, Greeks, Turkomen, Arabs and Chinese.

Ambassadors and Envoys of the Khan abroad

• none

Ambassadors and Envoys of Foreign Princes in Samarkand

• Giancarlo Tarun of Venice
• Gamal ibn Faruk of the Mamelukes

Alliances and Treaties

Allies

• The Ottoman Empire

Alliance of Samarkland

I.
The two empires, those of the Ottomans and Timurids, hereby convene at the Timurid capital of Samarkland to strengthen their bonds and unity.

II.
Both nations recognize their own respective rulers and successors as the only legal heirs to their nations. Should this be threatened, the opposite nation shall intervene on behalf of the rightful ruling house.

III.
Rulers of both nations are equal in making decisions and on the field of battle. Should one of them fall on the field, the other shall lead their combined armies to victory.

IV.
Both nations shall open their grainfields, plains, and cities to each other in times of war. As well, soldiers from both nations shall be allowed to pass through each others' territory.

V.
Should either nation be forced to defend itself from foreign attacks on its land, legal claims, or trading rights the other naton shall intervene on its behalf using all resources available.

VI.
In times of a righteous war of offensive involving one nation, the other nation shall come to its aid and declare war on the unworthy target nation.

Peace Treaties

• The Uzbek Khanate -- annexed.

Wars

• none

Office of War

The Office of War is in charge of organising the vast and powerful military of the aga-Khan. In times of war, hundreds of thousands of warriors have to be summoned and organised across the vastness of the Khanate. Almost all warriors are horsemen, armed with bow and spear, though siege machines are not unknown to the Khan's soldiers.

Horde of the aga-Khan
Commander: The Magnificient Kay Kobadh , Captain of the Horsemen.
Strength: 20.000 men.

Army of the North
Commander: The Excellent Ulug Khan, General of the North.
Strength: 10.000 men.

Army of the South
Commander: The Most Pious Shah Shayk Taqi al-Din Ayyub, Guardian of the Ayatollah, General of the South.
Strength: 30.000 men.

Army of the West
Commander: The Most Righteous Emir Shayk Qaysar ibn Abi'l Qasim, General of the West.
Strength: 30.000 men.

Army of the East
Commander: The Most Illustrious Mohammad Bahawal Khan, General of the East.
Strength: 30.000 men.

Important Characters



Yesugai aga-Khan
Age: 43

After the death of Hytshtej Khan to a mysterious disease, Yesugai Khan (Mighty Man-Slayer in Mongolian) seized power in a blody coup during which several thousand nobles in Samarkand who resisted his accession were executed. Their heads, put on spikes, were displayed around Samarkand and around the agha-Khanate as a display of Yesugai's power and willingess to shed blood.

Banished by his brother to solidify his rule, he was educated in China by Buddhist and Confucian scholars.




Ayatollah Chameney of Teheran
Age: 65

A devout believer and furtherer of the Shi'ite cause, Chameney is working to convert the Khan and his subjects to the One True Faith. He has agents and friends in many places and is not afraid to shed the blood of those who oppose his goals.

So far, his attempts to convert the Khan have been unsuccessful, as the Sunni elite is jealously guarding the Khan.

Office of the Historians

The Office records the events that transpire in the Khanate and the world in order to leave a record for future generations.

1443 - The war against the upstart, rebellious Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks was won with a total victory for Yesugai when the youth fled the country.

1445 - The Prince Kaidu has been sent to al-Jazir. Our alliance with the Ottomans was suspended.

[Hamilcar]

Spare post.


The court is open.

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrives to th Timurid court at Samarakand:

"To Agta Khan:

I, Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks, wishes to give your prince to mary my half sister: Jamila Al-Kayir.

Thus, we may begin a fruitfull alliance which may benfit both our nations.

-Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks."

[Alex_pharaoh]

A messenger, dressed in military clohes arrives. He handed over the letter to the Khan in Samarakand.

"Dear Khan of Samarakand:

I am only 16-17 years old... I still don't have sons, and all my brothers and cousins died because of constant conspiracies against each others, and the corrupt aristocracy my nation had.

However, I have send you this messenger, which is my most trusting friend: Garesh Oharred.

[Ramius]

A man walks into the court and presents himself.

• "My honored friends, most glorious agha-Khan Yesugai, I am Giancarlo Tarun and come from the great city state of Venezia. We have once again awoken in the Mediterannean, and thusly shall recall our former trading routes. Venice now controls a large percentage of trade within the Mediterannean and thusly we hope that we can both profit from our trade dealings. You have some very interesting commodities that are highly valued, as does Venezia. Venezia also has a large gold and silver reserve that I am sure could benefit your nation. Venice would be honored to replace Genoa as your seller of silk to Europeans. Genoa is unable to move your large quantities of trade goods, while Venice is more then able to, and also more then willing to pay handsomely for such goods. I hope that by choosing Venezia we can return to the days when our nations are gaining large amounts of wealth from Europe's folly. Venice thusly would be honored if I Giancarlo Tarun, may act as diplomat, servant, and trade liaison. I pray that you will have me?"
  
  The man bows deeply in awe.

[Hamilcar]

The Uzbek man is escorted before the agha-Khan where he is greeted by courtiers and assorted travellers and emissaries passing through Samarkand.

The agha-Khan eyes him for a long while before he speaks.

Very well, you may stay here. A mansion with a dozen servants shall be provided to you as a residence while you remain here in my city.

You may spend your time at leisure either there or at court, but you are not allowed to leave the city walls without my permission.

He stares into empty space for a while before he continues to speak.

Tell me, Garesh, has your Khan married yet?

[Hamilcar]

Yesugai Khan strokes his beard while he listens to the Venetian ambassador. The Uzbek man was still lingering as a chamberlain was dispatched to gather his cloak and boots.

Your words interest me, Venetian. We have heard tales of your war against the Genovese. I gather that their king was burned for heresy by the pope a while back and then all sorts of Christian warriors descended upon Genoa to purge them of their heresy.

I do not approve of such religious wars, but your affairs in Europe are none of my concern. My advisors do indeed tell me that trade has been stalling ever since then as no more Genovese come here to buy silk and other goods from Cathay and India and trade is vital for all of us.

What do you suggest, Venetian? I will not grant you any exclusive rights to trade in Samarkand. No, I will not do that.

The Uzbek was now guided outside the audience chamber by a troop of Mongol and Afghani warriors cloaked in desert garb.

Let me ask you: if I grant you a space of land next to the Great Market, will Venice open a trade house there? If you will do so, and guarantee to purchase goods in excess of five hundred thousan pounds of silver every year, then I will ensure that tariffs and taxes throughout my land will be lowered or removed to greatly enrich your traders. What say you?

[Alex_pharaoh]

Some hours later, Garesh entered the courtroom and bowed to the Khan. Garesh stared at the Timurid Khan with respect to a man who controlled a huge empire. However he was feeling uncomftarble. Then Garesh spoke to the Khan:

"No, sire. He is not married." -Garesh said. Then, after a small stop: "But he is about to. He told me he was going to propose marriage to a beautiful woman called Taresh. The couple is so happy together... Anyway, back to the point. Alxud told me that he wanted to marry his sister in law to your son. I must await your reply, sire."

He then bowed to the Khan, in his normal excess of respect Garesh always has...

[Hamilcar]

Yesugai receives the Uzbek envoy once more during dinner. A spartan menu of rice and steamed vegetables was served by Indian servants.

Garesh, I beg you, sit with me and share this simple meal. Forgive my harsh attitude, but there was once great emnity between us and my vassals feel uneasy about an Uzbek at court.

It is good that your Khan is getting married, for he will need many strong sons to lead his armies to victory and to succeed him, may he live to be a hundred.

While the idea of a marriage between one of my sons and the Khan's sister in law is intriguing me, no such alliance can be forged between us at this time. My vassals would not stand for it and my control over them is not absolute yet.

Perhaps in a few years...

Servants pass out Chinese tea.

[Alex_pharaoh]

Garesh, who was eating dinner with the Khan then said:

"I am gratefull for this food and this hospitality.

Now I guess you missunderstood: By sister in law, I and the Khan meant the his half sister. He has that costum to call those people as not blood relatives, after all he was concidered an inferior part of the family, although he isn't. But if it is your decision, the Uzbek people will respect that.

There is another thing you must know. There is a plan made by Alxud Khan that might be of your concern, or better said... Of your interest. Alxud Khan plans to create a maritime trade system of the Caspian sea, increasing trade security on the silk road, and thus promoting more traders to this region.

The Khan plans on building a port in Turkmenistan, that he plans will become a center of trade and commerce. Alxud, however, wants the Timurids to participate in this iniciative, gaining part of the port city and the future sea trade. So, I ask you if you accept a trade pact:

Tashkent-Samarakand trade pact:

1) Timur shall gain 20% of the profit from all trade in the new city.

2) A trade route shall be formed involving with obligation the cities of Samarakand and Tashkent.

3) In exchange, Timur shall ally the Uzbek khanate and vice-versa protecting each other's interests.

I hope this deal is acceptable. If you feel you are not ready, then maybe another time..."

[Ramius]

Giancarlo Tarun then continues.

• "Well your honor, I feel that before we go further, that we discuss what goods your nation needs for importation, and what other goods it has for export. Also a trade route should be solidified, you I guess would know better then me of which pathways are the safest now that you have control of these areas. Once these issues have been established I would be honored to present your nation with a most profitable trade agreement."
  
  The man bows.

[Hamilcar]

A few days later, Yesugai received the Uzbek in his garden pavillion; a masterpiece of Indian gardening skill. Exotic flowers and trees from all over Asia blended into a harmonoius atmosphere.

A group of ladies-in-waiting to a princess played soft tunes on flutes.

Garesh,

I must say, I am quite distraught hearing of your master's plan for a naval trade system, which would certainly distract greatly from trade through the silk road and my realm. I cannot allow such a thing - the existing trade routes will remain where they are.

I will have no dealings in setting up such a route; in fact, if your lord is set in building this harbour in Turkmenistan, I shall have to levy great tariffs at our common border to discourage all traders from entering your realm.

Thus, the treay you suggest is an insult to me, for you intend to steal from my profits. I will overlook this blunder on part of your lord due to his youth and inexperience - though I daresay that you, as an advisor, should have given better council.

For now, I will take no action, but I must warn you that I shall guard my profits from trade with great jealousy. Meddle not with it.

A group of fair-skinned servant maids brought out tea and sweets for the Uzbek and the jsut-arrived Venetian.

Ah, Tarun from the west,

You speak of trade routes - a subject this Uzbek might do well to study in his spare time.

As you know, the ancient trade routes with the East all run through the great city of Samarkand and the city of Teheran an on to what you call - as my scholars tell me - the "Holy Land". Why you call it so is not clear to me, but I care little for the details of your faith.

This route is controlled entirely by me and so the flow of goods from Cathay such as silk, tea and spices is in my hands. Currently, both the Christian lands in the Holy Land and the Mamelukes serve as ports for trade with the Christians and we make good profits selling to them. However, if we were to gain access to the Mediterranean, I would build a great port and monopolize all trade to it.

For now, I would like to see more Venetians coming to Teheran and Tashkent and I shall grant them special tax exemptions for say, one year, so that they may establish themselves.

Yesugai nodded and the servants took the sweets and tea away.

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrived to Samarakand:

"Dear Khan of the Timurids

I have heared about the your refusal to accept the deal. Then I have no choice then to order my representative back to Tashkent.

So please allow Garesh to come back to Tashkent inmediatly.

-Sincerily, Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks."

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrived to the Samarakand:

"Dear Khan of Timur:

I am sorry if I had showed some bad manners, however your actions are against the laws of guests of Islam. Remember that you cannot hold a guest in your house, in your case city, without the will of the guest.

I implore you to allow my friend to leave Samarakand for I am ready to send an emisary that will represent the Uzbek people in Samamrakand.

-Sincerily, Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks."

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrives by pidgeon, which then comes back to Tashkent:

"The Uzbek Khanate doesn't want war. We only want to ensure the peace in the region, and thus we ensure the stability of the Silk Road.

Samarakand-Tashkent non agression pact:

1) Timur and Uzbek Khanates will not declare war for any reason nor motive.

2) Timur Khanate is not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the internal affairs of the Uzbek Khanate.

3) Uzbek Khanate is not allowed to interfere in the affairs of the Timurid Khanate.

4) This treaty shall last 2 years. When the 2 years time end, the treaty can be discussed if it should continued, replaced or abolished.

I hope this will to ensure peace and prosperity between our nations.

-Sincerily, Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks."

[BzAli]

---Event---
The Fate of Garesh Oharred

Tension between the Timurid Empire and the Uzbek Khanate are running high, fuelled by the Khan of the Uzbeks announcement about the creation of a new port called Yumhur.
Diplomacy have been tried, but have failed miserably.
Even before the increasing problems escalate into direct warfare, victims have been claimed by the conflict. The Uzbekh emissary to the Timurid court, Garesh Oharred, have been decapacitated, and his severed head have been returned to his land of origin.

This is a clear provocation, allthough the Uzbekh Khan have so far chosen to pretend that the severed head was a fake.

Uzbekh Khanate have Casus Belli on the Timurid Empire.
Garesh Oharred is dead

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrives by pidgeon who then flies back to tashkent:

"Dear one who calls himself Khan of the Timurids:

Why do you not look at the bigger picture? You still controll the rout to India. I tried that yo would take a part in this trade system.

If you have Samarakand, then there is no reason for you to worry, because the only rout to India is through you, and with my sea trade system, more merchants are to visit Samarakand. So at the end, you also gain from this.

Now, if you are so jelous about your trade, think what would happen to your trade system when a war breakes out so close to Samarakand and Tashkent? I don't think you ever talked about it.

I do not want a war with you. I shall do anything to prevent it. And just for you to know, that certain people can come back from the world of the dead, and that in the name of Allah punish those who violated the laws of the Coran about hospitality.

-Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks, who is merciful and peaceful, and would never betray the words of Muhammed and the Coran, for he is a true believer in Islam and faitfull only to Allah and no one else.

[Alex_pharaoh]

A message arrives to Samarakand:

"Dear Khan of Samarakand:

I will think over this. It could take me many months to reach a decision. You have murdered my best friend, betrayed the teachings of the Coran, and now you ask to mary your Cousin and abandon my future wife for another.

This is a desicion too hard to do in some days. It could take months. Untill then, I will think about that marriage.

-Alxud Khan of the Uzbeks.

[Alex_pharaoh]

I arrived outside Samarakand with dosens of guards at my sides. I then shouted to the gate guards:

"He told me to come to Samarakand, and so I did. I will wait here for him so that we can talk. Tell your Khan that since the last incident, I decided that for the security of me and my men we shall not enter the city itself, but wait in the camp outside the city!"

EDIT: Then I added: "Tell the Khan also that I have frozen construction on the city of Yumhur!"

The hurried to notify the Khan of Timur.

[Hamilcar]

A court chamberlain comes to visit the encampment of the Uzbeks. Flaked by only two horsemen, he comes before the young ruler in his tent.

Alxud, in the name of agha-Khan Yesugai I bid you welcome in Samarkand.

He signals to the horsemen, who swiftly bring a small wooden chest studded with bronze before Alxud. They open it carefully to reveal a magnificent robe of Chinese silk, a fine Arabian dagger crowned by a large ruby, a pair of sandals and a heavy silver chain.

Yesugai asks that you accept this humble gift and that you will wear these symbols of friendship when you enter Samarkand .

He looks around the tent, studying the varius advisors of the Khan.

That you have acceeded to his demans has pleased the agha-Khan greatly. He wishes to waste no time to hear your oath, so be ready to enter the city tomorrow to give your oath of fealty to him.

He smiles and adds.

Should you have any questions about protocol, I shall remain in close proximity. Do not hesitate to call upon me.