Court of the Caliphate of Tunisia

[unmerged(36579)]

Sultanate Court of the Hafsid Caliphate in Tunis





The Sultanate Palace in Tunis

The Country



Nation: Tunisia
Head of State: Hajji Muhammad Omar
Player: wolfm

Official Religion: Sunni Muslim
Minor Religions: Shi'a, Judaism, Christians
Majority Culture: Arabs
Minority Cultures: Berbers, Mujahirs (from Al-Andalus)

Stats: 2/2/4/4/2 --> [2/2/4/4/2]
[Landmil/Seamil/Technology/Morale/Economy]
Production: Grains and Ivory
Ports: Tunis, Tripolis, Malta
Owned: Tunisia, Tripolitania, Malta



The History


In ancient times Tunisia was part of the mighty Carthaginian Empire. Its chief city, Carthage, was reputedly founded in 814BC by Phoenician traders, who had previously established several small trading posts along the North African coast. The site of Carthage, which became the largest and most famous of these Phoenician settlements, is thought to have been slightly to the north-east of the modern city of Tunis.

The Carthaginian Empire dominated most of North Africa, as well as parts of the Iberian Peninsula, Sardinia and Sicily. By the third century BC, however, trouble was brewing for the Carthaginians, in the shape of the fast-expanding Roman Empire.

Although Rome had signed several treaties with Carthage and recognised its power, the Roman leaders watched closely for an opportunity to overthrow it. War clouds gathered and three bloody struggles -- the Punic Wars -- were fought. In the third and last of these, which took place in 149-146BC, the Carthaginians were completely defeated and the city of Carthage destroyed by Scipio's army.

By the 5th century AD, the power of Rome was weakening and the province known as Africa fell to a Teutonic tribe, the Vandals, in about AD430. The Vandals ruled for a century before Rome, under Belisarius, re-captured it in about AD534. Arab invaders conquered the region in the 7th century AD, and the former Romano-Christian culture was replaced by Islam.

After the political fragmentation of the Arab empire Tunisia joined the Moroccan empire of the Almohades, it remained this way until threats from the Christian armies in Spain and the Bedouin in the central Maghreb forced the Moroccan rulers to divide their administration and appoint Hafsid families as governors of the eastern half of the empire in Tunis. The Hafsids defeated the Bedouin very successfully, but this also intensified the destruction of the central Maghreb and effectively cut Tunisia from Morocco. Also Algiers rejected the teachings of the Muslim scholar Ibn Tumart which fell on fertile soil in Tunisia. Tunisia became a very stable and prosperous enclave and an indepedent nation. In 1401 Tripolitana was conquered by the strong Hafsid Sultan Faruq I. and was integrated into Tunisia.

Topography

The country has three distinct physical regions: Northern Tunisia, Central Tunisia, and Southern Tunisia.

In the north the Atlas mountains form the Northern Tell and High Tell ranges. They are separated by the wide fertile Medjerda valley, a major agriculture region notable for producing cereals. In places, the mountains with altitudes exceeding 1,000m, are covered with cork oak and pine forests. The highest summits are Mt. Chambi near the Algerian border and Mt. Mrhila southwest of Tunis.

Central Tunisia is semi-arid steppe plateau. The Sahel, a low lying flat westward extension of the coastal plain which extends into Libya, has seasonal salt lakes and olive groves.

Southern Tunisia, which stretches from the Algerian border to the Mediterranean, contains extensive seasonal salt flats and spectacular date palm plantations. The extreme south of Tunisia gives way to the Sahara desert.

Recent History

1459: Tunisia begins to encourage trade and co-operation with muslim powers.
Late 1459: Kerkennian pirates start actions against Aragonese and Sicilian shipping.
1460: The failed assassination on the Bagdadi Caliph and the Caliph Elections trigger a war with Aragon and TheKnights. Tunisia is supported by Algiers.
1461: The Papal States declare war on Tunisia.
Late 1461: Tunisia makes white peace with the Papal States and TheKnights
1462: The economy of Tunisia inflates due to war-weariness and excessive deficit spending by the Sultan.
Late 1462: After a long war, Tunisia gains Malta from Aragon and returns to total peace.
Early 1463: The commercial harbor of Carthage is restored to its former glory bringing much wealth to the realm.
__________________

 

[unmerged(36579)]

Characters




Sultan Hajji Muhammad Omar
Head of the Hafsid Caliphate, Sultan of Tunisia, Emir of Tripolitania and Malta



Second son of Kedar Tawhid Hafsid, the former Sultan of Tunisia. Breaking with the isolationist policies of his father, Sultan Hajji is very open-minded towards the world, yet a faithful. This results from his excessive travels in the Mediterranian Sea in his youth as a representant for his father. His deep and passionate love to the sea also results from that. He is a major supporter of the navy, trade, religion and culture.

Aged 41, the sultan has two grown heirs to the throne from his relationship with Nuwwarrahh Nurud. A daughter, Nuriyah Amber, which takes an advisory position on the throne and Asad Majh Hafsid, the younger son which is currently governor of Tripolitania, the second province of Tunisia.


Nuriyah Amber Hafsid
Daughter of Sultan Hajji Muhammad, advisor to the Sultan

Nuriyah Amber being only advisor to the Sultan, has nevertheless much influence in the tunisian court. Showing interest in politics, diplomacy and court intrigues very early, now at the age of 24, she is still young but is already a feared advisory. Noone really knows how much power she wields, or how much she really knows.


Asad Majh Omar
Son of Sultan Hajji Muhammad Omar, Heir to the throne

Currently in the position of governor of Tripolitania, Asad Majh seems for the bigger part uninterested in running a goverment, apart from the military aspect. Sent to Tripolitania as to bring his courtly education to use, he spends his time hunting and rooting out rebellish tribes in the province.

Nuwwarrahh Nurud
1st companion of the Sultan

Favoured and most important companion of the Sultan, Nuwwarrahh Nurud holds no position in the tunisian goverment, but a certain influence on Sultan Hajji Muhammad. She has given birth to both Asad Majh and Nuriyah Amber.

Faruq al-Sharay
Grand Viezer of Tunisia


Faruq al-Sharay has been Grand Vizier for nearly thirthy years now. He was appointed by Sultan Hajji Muhammad's father and has been the Grand Vizier of Tunisia ever since.

Qadez Yahir
Leader of the Armed Forces of Tunisia


Qadez Yahir, a veteran and volunteer in the algieran wars against the infidels in Thrace has seen many battles and has only recently been appointed to the position of Leader of the Armed Forces of Tunisia.

Dhakiy Husam Waseem
Tunisian Corsair, family background unknown

 

[unmerged(36579)]

Military of the Sultan

Grand Army of the Sultan
Sultan Hajj Omar: Grand General

Army of Tunis
Commander Octavio: General
Officer Cassander: Calvary officer
Officer Xerxes: Infantry officer

Army of Malta
Commander Valentian: General of the Army of Malta
Commodore Scipios: Naval officer
Commodore Longinus: Defenses officer

Army of Tripolitania
Commander Darius: General of the Army of Tripolitania
Officer Julianus: Calvary officer
Officer Nicomedis: Infantry officer

Fleet of the Grand Sultan
Admiral Polidorus: Grand Admiral
Admiral Cassandro: Vice-Admiral

 

[unmerged(36579)]

Foreign Ministry

Relations:

Faithful realms:

Algiers: ******, Sister nation , Allies, RoP, TA, Almohad Brother

Golden Horde: *****, cordial, TA

Mamelucks: ****, good

Ottoman Empire: *****, cordial, Allies, RoP, TA

Fez: **, uneasy

Infidel realms:

Aragon: **, uneasy

Moldavia: ****, good, TA

Papal States: ***, neutral

Piemonte: **, uneasy, TA, monetary support

Sicily: *, Enemy, Piracy

TheKnights: ***, neutral

Venice: **, uneasy

Envoys Abroad

Ma'ruf Ziyad Waleed, with Algier

Mubin Nimr Awwab, with the Golden Horde

Mujab Nashwan Najid, with the Mameluck Empire and Hedjaz

Shahin Mujab Samman, with the Ottoman Empire and the Black Sea States

Envoys from Abroad in Tunis

Alvera Rahman, for Algiers

Treaties and Agreements

The Almohid Unity and Reconstruction Pact between Algiers and Tunisia to be seen here:

Quote:
A. Almohid Unity of the Maghrib & Al-Andalus
I. The undersigned do hereby recognize that all articles of this pact are valid in all cases.

II. The undersigned do hereby recognize their cosigners and their successors as ruling by derived authority from the Almohid Rulers who brought Islam and unity to the Maghrib and Al-Andalus.

III. The spirit of this document, which is reconstructing the Almohid Empire's strength and unity, and bringing prosperity to its people, and Islam, in the Maghrib and abroad, shall be held premiere; whereas this document will supercede all other signed documents with non-signatories to this agreement.

IV. The co-signers will work to bring their provences closer together politically, economically, and militarily.

B. The Defense and Security of the Almohid Maghrib
I. In times when one party of this agreement falls under attack, the other shall declare war on the offending party. Should such means of active involvement be unavailable, monetary aid shall be provided.

II. The provences of Algeria and Tunisia shall allow each others' navies, armies, and merchants safe passage, and quarter in each others' respective lands at all times. They shall not allow the armies of non Almohid provinces to travel in their realms.

C. Economic Unity of the Almohid Maghrib
I. The markets within the Almohid Provences and traders of domestic origin shall have unfettered access to the rights of trade within all provences. A tariff of no more than 5% will be assessed on any good moved between the provences.

II. When economically feasible, the Almohid Provences agree to loan the other monies requested. In accordance with Islamic law, no usury will be charged and all loans will be repaid within six months of the end of the war.


D. Islam as the Offical Faith and Binding of the Almohid Maghrib
I. The provences of Algeria and Tunisia recognize the supremacy of Islam, and in the course of events, while acting together, they will do their best to ensure the freedom and propagation of said faith in making agreements with non-Islamic powers.

II. The provences of Algeria and Tunisia do hereby swear before the grace of Allah to defend the Maghrib from outside threats, strive to liberate Al-Andalus, and to observe the terms of this pact at all times, even if other pacts come into conflict with this supercedant pact.


[x] Hajji Amhed Hafsid, for Tunisia
[x] Akbe Mohammed, for Algeria


Second Agreement on Mediterranean Trade with the ITU between Piemonte and Tunisia to be seen here:

Quote:
Second Agreement on Mediterranean Trade

~between the Sultanate of Tunisia and the Italian Trade Union, as signed in A.D. 1450~




Praefatio
With the number of pirates increasing again, with wars and bitter enmity raising its ugly head on the coasts, the good trade and sweet prosperity is diminishing amongst all people of the Mediterranean. However, on seeing the frightening state of affairs, the most noble Sultan of Tunisia and the Council of the Italian Trade Union decide to ease the work of their merchants, so that a new peace shall come to the troubled waters of the Mediterrenean, a peace sealed by the prosperity brought by well-flowing trade.


Article I
The signing parties shall never banish the merchants of each other, and shall never declare a trade embargo against each other. This applies not only to the signing parties as wholes, but also to their parts, i. e. to certain guilds, individuals, member states of the Italian Trade Union (primarily Genoa, Piemonte, Milan and Modena) or the Sultanate of Tunisia, etcetera.

Article II
The merchant ships sailing under the flag of the Italian Trade Union traversing the waters of the Mediterranen shall be given the full protection of the Tunisian navy. Under the orders of the Sultan, pirate attacks against the vessels of the Union will be deterred using resources as deemed necessary by local commanders. Ports of both parties will act as safe harbors and places of sanctuary for the both signing partys’ merchants.

Article III
The merchant ships of both parties may water and take supplies on the islets and ports of the other party without extra tax or tribute.

Article IV
The Italian Trade Union shall be allowed to construct guild houses and bankhouses in the cities of Gafsa, Gabes, Sfax, Tripolis and Tunis. The merchants of the Union shall be allowed to enter these cities freely, without having to pay any taxes or tolls; furthermore, the Union shall be granted the right of holding market in these cities freely, with no taxes imposed on them. However, the local guild houses of the Union shall pay a preset yearly tax to the Sultanate of Tunisia, the sum of which shall be determined by the local representative of the Sultan and the master of the local guild.

Article V
Concerning the Tunisian mainland: the merchants of the Union shall be allowed to travel freely, under the protection of the Sultan of Tunisia. The tolls imposed on these merchants shall be the 110% of those imposed on local merchants.

Article VI
The Tunisian merchants shall be allowed to construct guild houses and bankhouses in the ports of the Union considered major (currently Genoa, Nizza and La Spezia) with having to pay only the 20% of the usual toll, and shall be allowed to hold market in the said cities without tax imposed on them. The Tunisian guildhouses, residences, areas of worship, areas of storage and banking, and other facilities shall be contained in the already built “Moorish Quarters”, currently maintained by the Zayyanid Caliphate. The leaders of the Quarters may apply for the local sovereign’s permission to increase the territory of the ghetto via the usual channels.

Article VIII
Tunisian merchants shall be allowed to to travel freely in the states of the Union, under the protection of the local sovereign. Letters of this protection shall be distributed in the Moorish Quarters. The tolls imposed on these merchants shall be the 110% of those imposed on local merchants.

Article IX
The bank Casa San Maurizio of the Piedmont hereby confines itself to grant loans to the Sultan of Tunisia on favourable terms. Also, the Casa San Maurizio shall send well-learnt advisors to Tunis who shall help the Sultan in handling his finances.





[x]
His Grace Faruq al-Sharay
- on behalf of Sultan Hajji Ahmed Hafsid of Tunisia -

[x]
His Lordship Gino Fieschi
[x]
His Lordship Francesco de Passy
- on behalf of Angelo Correano, Chairman of the Council of the Italian Trade Union -

Tunis-ITU Sultanate Commision Agreement between Piemonte and Tunisia to be seen here:

Quote:


_____________________



Sultanate Commission

- as given to the Casa San Maurizio by the Sultan of Tunisia in the year 1451 -


Article I
His Royal Highness the Sultan of Tunisia hereby entrusts the banking house Casa San Maurizio with managing the finances of the armed forces of the Sultanate. This task shall include not merely the transportation of the soldiers’ pay, but also the handling the army’s supply, distribution of budget, etcetera. The Casa San Maurizio confines itself to that the delay of the shipments of money shall never exceed two months. For its services, the Casa San Maurizio shall receive a fee of 1 silver denars after every 100 silver denars handled. The commission shall stand for at least twenty year, thus until the year of Jesus Christ 1471.

Article II
The local representative of the Casa San Maurizio shall be allowed to replace officers of the rank captain and lower in the case they are deemed unworthy, or they cannot work together with the representative of the Casa San Maurizio. The Casa San Maurizio shall also have a word in the council of war.

Article III
The Casa San Maurizio shall not finance attacks on targets it considers friendly. This includes, but not limited to, the current member-states of the Italian Trade Union, the Union’s trading partners, etcetera. In the case His Royal Highness the Sultan orders an attack on such a target, the Casa San Maurizio shall stop paying and supplying the soldiers immediately.

Article IV
In order to ensure the safe supply of the Tunisian army, the ships sailing under the flag of the Italian Trade Union shall have the full protection of the Tunisian navy. Attacks on these vessels shall be avenged as if the vessels were Tunisian. No shipmaster shall ever be charged for the protection.

Article V
Occasionally, the Casa San Maurizio may choose to advance money to His Royal Highness the Sultan for longer periods of time; the terms of these loans shall be decided individually. On signing this treaty, the Casa San Maurizio shall loan His Royal Highness the Sultan a sum of 2000 golden florins (2 ecos), on the following conditions: His Royal Highness confines himself to fully refund the Casa San Maurizio within half year (2 turns), counted after the end of His Royal Highness’ ongoing war against Aragon. On mutual agreement, the Casa San Maurizio might decide to cancel the Sultan’s debt in exchange for the eternal possession of a territory. Also, grateful to the Casa San Maurizio, His Royal Highness the Sultan shall give a full immunity from taxes to the Italian Trade Union for a duration of seven years, thus until the year of Jesus Christ 1458. In the case His Royal Highness the Sultan cannot, or does not want to refund the Casa San Maurizio properly until the fixed dateline, the Casa San Maurizio shall receive the city of Tripolis (Tripolitania given to Piedmonte, etc).



[ ]
His Excellency Abdul-Fughni Farhan, on behalf of His Royal Highness the Sultan of Tunisia

[ ]
His Excellency Manlio Scasì da Tenda, head of the Tunisian branch of the Casa San Maurizio


Trade Agreement between Moldavia-Wallachia and Tunisia signed in the Year of Our Lord 1451 between Moldavia and Tunisia to be seen here:

Quote:
Trade Agreement between Moldavia-Wallachia and Tunisia signed in the Year of Our Lord 1451


Article I
The signing parties shall never banish the merchants of each other, and shall never declare a trade embargo against each other.

Article II
The merchant ships sailing under the flag of Moldavia-Wallachia traversing the waters of the Mediterranean shall be given the full protection of the Tunisian navy as soon as they enter Tunisian waters. Likewise Moldavia-Wallachia shall extend her protection if Tunisian merchants are ever in danger in her waters. Ports of both parties will act as safe harbors and places of sanctuary for the both signing parties’ merchants.

Article III
The merchant ships of both parties may water and take supplies on the islets and ports of the other party without extra tax or tribute.

Article IV
Moldavia shall be allowed to construct contors in the cities of Gafsa, Sfax and Tunis. The merchants of Moldavia shall be allowed to enter these cities freely, without having to pay any taxes or tolls; furthermore, Moldavia shall be granted the right of holding market in these cities freely, with no taxes imposed on them. However, the local guild houses of Moldavia shall pay a preset yearly tax to the Sultanate of Tunisia, the sum of which shall be determined by the local representative of the Sultan and the master of the local contor.

Article V
The Tunisian merchants shall be allowed to construct guild houses and bankhouses in Iasi, Galati, Izmayil and Bucuresti, with having to pay only the 20% of the usual toll, and shall be allowed to hold market in the said cities without tax imposed on them. The Tunisian guildhouses, residences, areas of worship, areas of storage and banking, and other facilities shall be contained in the already built “Moorish Quarters”, currently maintained by the Zayyanid Caliphate. The leaders of the Quarters may apply for the local sovereign’s permission to increase the territory of the ghetto via the usual channels.

Article VI
Tunisian merchants shall be allowed to to travel freely in the states of Moldavia-Wallachia, under the protection of the local sovereign. Letters of this protection shall be distributed in the Moorish Quarters. The tolls imposed on these merchants shall be the 110% of those imposed on local merchants.

Likewise Moldavian merchants shall be at no time taxed more than 110% of the taxes imposed on local merchants and letters of protection especially to reach the inland oasis of Gafsa shall be extended to Moldavian merchants.

[X]Signed on behalf of the Voivode Petru II of Moldavia-Wallachia and for Moldavia-Wallachia, Chancellor Nicolae Iestu of Moldavia
[X]Signed on behalf of Sultan Hajji Amhed Hafsid, Shahin Mujab Samman, representative for Tunisia in Moldavia-Wallachia


Ottoman-Tunisian Pact of Mutual Alliance & Prosperity between the Ottoman Empire and Tunisia to be seen here:

Quote:
Ottoman-Tunisian Pact of Mutual Alliance & Prosperity

I. The undersigned do hereby recognize that all articles of this pact are valid in all cases.

II. The undersigned do hereby recognize their cosigners and their successors as the only legal rulers of their respective realms.

Military

I. In times when one party of this agreement falls under attack, the other shall declare war on the offending realm if called upon. Should such means of active involvement be unavailable, monetary aid shall be provided.

II. As this alliance is public, any party that wages war on one member has broken any alliances with the other, for an attack on Tunisia is an attack on the Ottoman Empire and vice versa.

III. Whenever possible, consultations shall be made regarding future military deployments and strategies. Also advisors should be exchanged by both courts to allow for mutual naval operations against pirates in peacetimes.

IV. Tunisia and the Ottoman Empire shall allow each others' troops passage through each others' respective lands at all times.

V. Tunisia and the Ottoman Empire recognize the supremacy of Islam, and in the course of events, while acting together, they will do their best to ensure the freedom and propagation of said faith in making agreements with non-Islamic powers.

VI. Tunisia and the Ottoman Empire do hereby swear before the grace of Allah never to wage war upon each other and to observe the terms of this pact at all times, even if other pact come into conflict with this supercedant pact. They also recognize each others claims on the lands they posses.

Economical

I. The spirit of this document, which is to build the signers' strength and unity, bringing prosperity to its people, and Islam, in the Mediterranean and abroad, shall be held in good faith, witnessed by Allah and the Islamic world.

II. The co-signers will continue to work to bring their nations closer together
economically, in terms of both commerce and policy.

III. The co-signers shall allow each others' merchants safe passage, and quarter in each others' respective lands at all times; providing for their defense and any aid in the event of danger. Also the co-signers navy should seek to protect the other nation's merchant vessels at all times.

IV. In the markets held by the Ottoman Empire and Tunisia, the Muslim traders originating from these two nations shall have unfettered access to the rights of trade. A tariff of no more than 5% will be assessed on any good moved between the provences, excepting gold, ivory and silk on which a tariff of no more than 7% shall be assesed.

V. Tunisian traders should be allowed to establish guildhouses to further trade into eastern regions in Smyrna and Constantinople and likewise are ottoman traders allowed and encouraged to the same in Sfax and Tunis. Also tunisian traders shall have the oppurtunity to sail to Kerch without any more taxes imposed on them than said in Article IV and may establish a trading house there, as should the ottoman traders in the inland oasis of Gafsa.

Signed for Tunisia

[x]Sultan Hajji Amhed Hafsid, Head of the Hafsid Caliphate, Emir of Tunisia and Emir of Tripolitania

Signed for the Ottoman Empire

[x]Sultan II. Mehmed Han bin-Murad, Padishah, Hünkar, Ruler of Both Lands and Both Seas, Sovereign of The Osman Family, Sultan es Selatin, Khakhan, Khan of the Ak Koyunlu, Padishas of The Three Cities of Istanbul, Adrianople, and Bursa, of Marmara Sea, of Black Sea, of Anatolia, of Rumelia, of Kurdistan, of Armenia, of Daghestan, of Trebizond, of Karaman, of Azov

Quote:
Trade Agreement between the Golden Horde and Tunisia on Black Sea Trade


Article I
The signing parties shall never banish the merchants of each other, and shall never declare a trade embargo against each other.

Article II
The merchant ships of both parties may water and take supplies on the islets and ports of the other party without extra tax or tribute.

Article III
Tunisia shall be allowed to erect a big trading post in the area of Kaffa and shall be allowed to hold market in the said cities without tax imposed on them. The Tunisian guildhouses, residences, areas of worship, areas of storage and banking shall be contained to that area. The leaders of the Quarters may apply for the local sovereign’s permission to increase the territory of the ghetto via the usual channels.

Article IV
Tunisian merchants shall be allowed to to travel freely in the states of Golden Horde, under the protection of the local sovereign. Especially on the Astrakhan-Suzdal trade route. The tolls imposed on these merchants shall be the 110% of those imposed on local merchants.

Likewise merchants from the Horde shall be at no time taxed more than 110% of the taxes imposed on local merchants and letters of protection especially to reach the inland oasis of Gafsa shall be extended to merchants of the Horde if needed.

[X]Signed on behalf of the Great Khan, Orda, Baku
[X]Signed on behalf of Sultan Hajji Amhed Hafsid, Mubin Nimr Awwab, representative for Tunisia in Moldavia-Wallachia

 

[unmerged(36579)]

Trade Affairs


By Land

All trading routes along the North African coastline must cross Tunisia and the trading tolls imposed on them in either Tunisia or Gafsa bring wealth into the country. Gafsa, the oasis situated in the interior on a plateau, near the salt lake Chott el Jerid being the most important stepover for caravans coming from east or west.

On Sea

Tunisia is a major stopover for Mediterranian trade for Arab as well as christian trading vessels. Many natural harbours like Tunis itself, Gabes and Sfax only to name the biggest ones augment Tunisia's importance as a naval nation. The tunisian sea trade network basically covers the Mediterranian sea and the black sea. Having secured benefical trade agreements with both the Mamelucks and the Ottoman Empire, the tunisian presence especially in the muslim trading world is undeniable.

A big part of the tunisian success although depends on the co-operation with italian merchants of the ITU (Italian Trade Union). Whilst this co-operation is still quite new and the ITU has only recently established herself in Tunis, Sfax, Gabes and even in the inland oasis of Gafses, returns have been high so far. The famous "Casa San Maurizio" has also established herself in Tunis and already some tunisian merchants are being taught new principles and ideas of economics.

Overseas tunisian trading houses

Genoa, Nizza and La Spezia

The tunisian goverment holds a presence in the italian cities of Genoa, Nizza and La Spezia through contracts secured with the ITU. Those areas are maintained in co-operation with the Zayyanid Caliphate, partners of Tunisia in economical and political aspects.

Smyrna and Constantinople

As part of an agreement with the Ottoman Empire, the tunisian goverment also has a large presence in the two most important ottoman harbors.

Kerch

With the lack of a big city on the penninsula of Kerch, tunisian merchants were forced to establish a small trading post on their own on the Crimea.

 

[unmerged(36579)]

later

 

[unmerged(36579)]

for

 

[unmerged(36579)]

Thread Open

 

[unmerged(31994)]

Tunis...

An Ambassador arrives from the Abbasid Caliphate, known by most as the Mamelucks, but thanks to the recent revolution refered to as Abbasid Egypt thanks to the Baghdadi Caliph.
"Assalam Alekum, of lords of Tunis, I come as a representative of Egypt, may I gain audience?"

 

[unmerged(36579)]

It was a shine of a brand new dynasty in Tunis-Tripolitania. It was time to release the shackles of the past and enter a glorious age of modernization to the land. Sultan Hajj Omar was reluctant as his people were stubborn, stuck in their ways, yet good hard working subjects whom he loved. They were smart, and they would learn and understand the truth and know it was needed. It was time to work.

In the Great Audiance Chamber of the palace the sultan and his ministers intensely locked in discussions of state. "Tunisia is a glorious land, one which had an illustrious past and is still lacking what it was over a millenium ago under Roman control. That is appalling to me and my subjects, and it should be onto you also as followers of Allah you know HE favors the brave and courageous. I will hereby announce an edict which no man in the realm may challenge."

With this said a number of military officers as well as high ranking government officials entered the chamber with armed guardsmen. Along with them were city officials and task masters from the domain.

"Tunis, priorly known as Mauretuania by the Romans, and Carthage by the Greeks of long ago was a center of Mediteranean power and prestige for centuries. Now it has fallen into disrepair. The heritage of those people is in our blood as they are our ancestors. Our forefathers were Roman citizens, they were Greek and Phoenician colonists, they were Catholic, they were Pagan, and they were Muslim. Having respect and reverence for them is not to shame Allah or be blasphemers, it is to be wise historians. So today forth my capital shall be renamed, as in times of old, Carthage."

Letting the words sink in the scribes continued to write so the people of the land would know of this."Furthermore, with Byzantium fallen, we are the last remnant of this proud tradition, as it is OUR tradition. That is not contradictory to Allah. Step forward my loyal army officers if you will. Now you shall be called by the Latin names you have requested as your military order, and will retain your birth name for civilian duties and religious practices, but not for state purposes. Our naval restoration has been ongoing and now we must continue to strengthen our navy and fortifications. We are not a warlike people wishing to expand, we are wishing to modernize and build up from what we have been given by Allah. Our people are our greatest gift and we shall not forget them neither. From today onward all mosque officials shall teach the populace how to read and write our language so we shall have a smarter, happier people. Mosques will be institutes for learning and for Allah, for Allah favors the wise."

Scholars among the court nodded at this, as did the clerics and city leaders. Continueing onward Hajj Omar rose from his thrown. "Building projects will be underway employing all our people and paying them for it as well, to bulster our economy by creating jobs and putting money into the economy while building economically friendly instillations. Each province shall be tasked with building fortifications, large enough to hold off our neighbors or any moderate invasion force. This building task shall be given to the army corps. Furthermore improved roads will be built and their upkeep will be paid by the treasury. Land grants shall be given from myself to the farmers so larger more productive plantations may be established to feed our people to replace subsistance farming. And lastly and most importantly all port facilities will be enlarged and enhanced with defenses and shipbuilding capacities to further our navy and trade fleets. On the same note all our resources will be further expanded as to mine them more effectively and scout further deposits. That is all, now go to your tasks. The treasury will be drained for this but the state, and the people will be more powerful. Lower taxes by 5% also."

The various assembled officials went off to their heavy list of tasks, with full months and months of work to attend to.


Later that day~


The Sultan of Tunis looked at this envoy from Aegyptus and welcomed him respectfully.

"Salakum al Salam to you, may Allah's grace be onto you. Now what business do you have here in my capital?"

 

[Voshkod]

A letter arrived from Samarkand, along with certain rare oriental treasures; silks, spices, and precious gems.

Sultan Hajji Muhammad Omar, from Abu Sa'id Yesugai, Khan of the Timurid Empire and Sword of God, greetings.

The great battle for the future of Islam in Africa is brewing, and the horselords of the Mongols will fight. To do so, we must cross the lands of your Sultanate. I request you grant passage to my armies when we arrive and, if time permits, I would visit with you in Tunis.

Sealed by my hand, Abu Sa'id Yesugai

[OOC: Requesting right of passage for my troops.]

 

[Voshkod]

The Timurid Army, after an easy march through Abbasid territory, were rapidly approach Tunisia. Outriders rode quickly into the capital, bearing messages from the Khan. Again the right of passage request was repeated, and the Khan's treasury could be opened to the Sultan if the call for jihad were not sufficient.