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Chapter 3: Timur the Caliph
Timur prayed beneath Hazrat Zakariya's dome. "Allah, whose throne encompasses the heavens and the earth, in your power let me drive away all falsehood, ensuring that truth may always triumph. Protector, help us against those who stand against Faith, and deliver us from ignorance that we may revel in Your wisdom."
In the City of Saints, his heart weighed heavy. The dhikr, the muraqaba, the contemplation of tawhid... sleepless and weary, hungry and broken, Timur cried to Allah, "Al-Alim, what must I do?"
As his cries grew, the wind howled through the orchards and Timur understood. As there is but one God in heaven, there shall be but one ruler upon the earth. And before the earth may be made whole, the faith must be made whole, the Ummah Wahida renewed.
Thus, Timur marched to the west. From Alexandretta to Chandigarh, Basra to Samarkand, the word was spread that the faithful were to gather in Mecca, where Khagan Timur, Ghazi and Sultan of Rum would restore the Ummah from the pretenders to the Prophet's blood, if not not his actions.
The tribes of Arabia refused Timur passage to Mecca, for how could one be Caliph and not of the Prophet's blood? But is not the example of the Prophet submission of actions to the will of Allah?
Again, the battles were joined. The Mamluks fought to protect their pet Abbasid, and the Arabian tribes fought for their wicked sheikhs, but the Mongols Armies fought for the will of Allah, and is Allah not the Protector?
From Aden to Aleppo, the flames of war were bright. With Timur stood the loyal Khans and the Turkic tribesmen, and the armies of Araby and Egypt were trampled beneath the cavalry's hooves. The tribesmen of Araby themselves revolted, for they saw the truth of Allah's will and submitted. In the interests of peace and brotherhood, Timur offered peace to the Mamluks, in exchange for the lands of Syria and Palestina and the head Al-Musta'in, the pretender to the title of Caliph.
The Sultan assented, and the Fitna between the Ummah was ended, for a time. And thus, was proclaimed Caliph Khagan Timur, Sultan of Rum, Baghdad, and Persia, Protector of Mecca and Medina, Emir of Oman and Yemen, Heir to Great Khan and the Rashidun.
Gameplay:
I used the Tribal Feud CB, and was involved in separate wars against Oman, Yemen, Hedjaz, and Najd. I declared them all at the same time to avoid the infamy hit when annexing. I ended just points below the infamy limit, with control of the entire Arabian peninsula. The war with the Mamluks actually came a bit later, but it fit the narrative better to move it ahead by five years. Next installment covers events concerning Timur's loyal allies to the north, and preparations for a second war against the apostate curs of Delhi.
Timur prayed beneath Hazrat Zakariya's dome. "Allah, whose throne encompasses the heavens and the earth, in your power let me drive away all falsehood, ensuring that truth may always triumph. Protector, help us against those who stand against Faith, and deliver us from ignorance that we may revel in Your wisdom."
In the City of Saints, his heart weighed heavy. The dhikr, the muraqaba, the contemplation of tawhid... sleepless and weary, hungry and broken, Timur cried to Allah, "Al-Alim, what must I do?"
As his cries grew, the wind howled through the orchards and Timur understood. As there is but one God in heaven, there shall be but one ruler upon the earth. And before the earth may be made whole, the faith must be made whole, the Ummah Wahida renewed.
Thus, Timur marched to the west. From Alexandretta to Chandigarh, Basra to Samarkand, the word was spread that the faithful were to gather in Mecca, where Khagan Timur, Ghazi and Sultan of Rum would restore the Ummah from the pretenders to the Prophet's blood, if not not his actions.
The tribes of Arabia refused Timur passage to Mecca, for how could one be Caliph and not of the Prophet's blood? But is not the example of the Prophet submission of actions to the will of Allah?
Again, the battles were joined. The Mamluks fought to protect their pet Abbasid, and the Arabian tribes fought for their wicked sheikhs, but the Mongols Armies fought for the will of Allah, and is Allah not the Protector?
From Aden to Aleppo, the flames of war were bright. With Timur stood the loyal Khans and the Turkic tribesmen, and the armies of Araby and Egypt were trampled beneath the cavalry's hooves. The tribesmen of Araby themselves revolted, for they saw the truth of Allah's will and submitted. In the interests of peace and brotherhood, Timur offered peace to the Mamluks, in exchange for the lands of Syria and Palestina and the head Al-Musta'in, the pretender to the title of Caliph.
The Sultan assented, and the Fitna between the Ummah was ended, for a time. And thus, was proclaimed Caliph Khagan Timur, Sultan of Rum, Baghdad, and Persia, Protector of Mecca and Medina, Emir of Oman and Yemen, Heir to Great Khan and the Rashidun.
Gameplay:
I used the Tribal Feud CB, and was involved in separate wars against Oman, Yemen, Hedjaz, and Najd. I declared them all at the same time to avoid the infamy hit when annexing. I ended just points below the infamy limit, with control of the entire Arabian peninsula. The war with the Mamluks actually came a bit later, but it fit the narrative better to move it ahead by five years. Next installment covers events concerning Timur's loyal allies to the north, and preparations for a second war against the apostate curs of Delhi.
awesome update!
But i don't understand how you avoid the infamy hit when annexing by declaring multiple wars at the same time. How does that work?
But i don't understand how you avoid the infamy hit when annexing by declaring multiple wars at the same time. How does that work?
I could have been clearer. They were allied, and I wanted all their territory more or less right away. I declared against all of them at the same time as a way of making sure that I would get the CB (Horde or Tribal Feud) to apply to any peace settlement.
Incidentally, this next post will feature some screenshots. Note that there will be some discrepancy in the screenshots versus the narrative, since I have used a different ordering of events for the narrative than that which actually happened within the game. There are also a couple of small wars that I won't mention in the narrative, namely against the minors in Anatolia. It would've been better for the narrative if I had moved those minor wars to when I fought the Ottomans, even though they happened five to ten years later. I'm trying to keep the spotlight on Timur and his descendants, and their clashes with relatively large regional powers or alliances, with a secondary emphasis on their differing psychology and motivations, and a tertiary issue that will be developed from 1412 on will be the effects of their decisions upon their society.
Chapter 2 ends around 1405, Chapter 3 ends at around 1408, Chapter 4 will end in 1410, and Chapter 5 will end in 1412. Chapter 6 will be solely in 1412, and then Chapter 7 will run from 1412 through ~1420. Chapter 4 is entirely based on politics and internal affairs, and it is near complete (I disliked Chapter 3's flow, so I'm trying to make Chapter 4 flow more like Chapter 2), and will center on Timur's inheritance and the consolidation of the vassals (Georgia, Qara Koyunlu) into the empire, and the political problems introduced with the inheritance. Chapter 5 will focus on the final war against of Delhi and Rajputana. Chapter 6 will be primarily an in-universe explanation for the Mughal Empire, and focus on civil reforms and such. Chapter 7 will be the conquest of northern and central India. Chapters 8 and 9 will be the conquest of southern India, Bangaldesh, and the sweep across northern Africa. Chapter 10 will be a funerary panegyric.
Chapter 2 ends around 1405, Chapter 3 ends at around 1408, Chapter 4 will end in 1410, and Chapter 5 will end in 1412. Chapter 6 will be solely in 1412, and then Chapter 7 will run from 1412 through ~1420. Chapter 4 is entirely based on politics and internal affairs, and it is near complete (I disliked Chapter 3's flow, so I'm trying to make Chapter 4 flow more like Chapter 2), and will center on Timur's inheritance and the consolidation of the vassals (Georgia, Qara Koyunlu) into the empire, and the political problems introduced with the inheritance. Chapter 5 will focus on the final war against of Delhi and Rajputana. Chapter 6 will be primarily an in-universe explanation for the Mughal Empire, and focus on civil reforms and such. Chapter 7 will be the conquest of northern and central India. Chapters 8 and 9 will be the conquest of southern India, Bangaldesh, and the sweep across northern Africa. Chapter 10 will be a funerary panegyric.
Looks like you took a different path than me. I swooped through Russia to cripple the Westerners before they could gain an advantage instead of securing northern africa.
My basic plan for Europe was:
1) Secure North Africa
2) Sea-borne invasion of Portugal, Castille, and Aragon
3) Invasion of the Balkans and Black Sea regions
4) Southern France
5) Hungary
6) Italy
7) Western France and Britanny
8) The British Isles
The control of the north African coast serves two purposes. First, it affords the simplest path to Castille and Portugal, which are often the earliest colonizers. Second, it allows striking anywhere in southern Europe that weakness is seen. The biggest initial goal with respect to Europe is to stop the early colonizers, especially to prevent the Azores and Madeira from external colonization. Fighting through Russia into Europe means that the colonizers will expand. Colonization is a bigger concern than the latins teching, since I was expecting to be fully Westernized before they caught up with me. Though, I switch from western was to eastern wars while waiting for truces to expire.
In this game, I'm staying barely south of the infamy line, because I've become huge so quickly that my military is larger than all of Europe combined, and I'm the world tech leader (though Holland will probably surpass me in Production Tech pretty soon). Thus, wars end very quickly through application of overwhelming force followed by maximal sieging. Short wars with few of my troops lost means war exhaustion is low, and lots of land and 8 CoTs (at the time that I was initiating this plan) means I have more cash than I can really use. Thus, infamy is the only brake upon my expansion, because of all the nasty events that occur should the infamy ceiling be broken.
Note, the above was my initial plan. You'll see how it actually went down, eventually. Also, next chapter will be up before I go to sleep tonight.
1) Secure North Africa
2) Sea-borne invasion of Portugal, Castille, and Aragon
3) Invasion of the Balkans and Black Sea regions
4) Southern France
5) Hungary
6) Italy
7) Western France and Britanny
8) The British Isles
The control of the north African coast serves two purposes. First, it affords the simplest path to Castille and Portugal, which are often the earliest colonizers. Second, it allows striking anywhere in southern Europe that weakness is seen. The biggest initial goal with respect to Europe is to stop the early colonizers, especially to prevent the Azores and Madeira from external colonization. Fighting through Russia into Europe means that the colonizers will expand. Colonization is a bigger concern than the latins teching, since I was expecting to be fully Westernized before they caught up with me. Though, I switch from western was to eastern wars while waiting for truces to expire.
In this game, I'm staying barely south of the infamy line, because I've become huge so quickly that my military is larger than all of Europe combined, and I'm the world tech leader (though Holland will probably surpass me in Production Tech pretty soon). Thus, wars end very quickly through application of overwhelming force followed by maximal sieging. Short wars with few of my troops lost means war exhaustion is low, and lots of land and 8 CoTs (at the time that I was initiating this plan) means I have more cash than I can really use. Thus, infamy is the only brake upon my expansion, because of all the nasty events that occur should the infamy ceiling be broken.
Note, the above was my initial plan. You'll see how it actually went down, eventually. Also, next chapter will be up before I go to sleep tonight.
I see why you'd do that, and frankly I think that's a better plan than mine. Good thing I still have time to cripple the colonizers.
Chapter 4: The Ties that Bind
In the halls of the Golden Gate, Timur sought respite, For the will of Allah would not be met his life. With maps arrays and troops accounted, he knew he would meet Allah with his task unfulfilled. Timur knew despair. Histories revealed the lands of great conquerors splinter and are lost. Temujin, called Genghis, or Alexander, alike. What ties to bind his lands together, and see Allah's will be done?
His counsellors and emirs were called from their distant demenses, his vassal princes from their palaces, his generals and scholars and diplomats, too. From Acre to Ajmer, messengers spread his word.
Across the lands, their words returned, "We are coming great Khan." Save for one. Of his old friend Toktamysh, not a word was heard. All was silence to the north.
His princes, emirs, and scholars flowed into Baghdad and filled its abodes. From the Kazakhs and Nogai to Georgia to Chagatai, the learned and the strong in Baghdad arrived. And still, his friend was missing.
He asked questions of history and trade, of the building of roads and pallisades. He asked for submission, from the Georgians and the Turks. He asked how the Greeks knew the circumference of the earth. And still no word from the north.
The Georgians submitted, and offered their crown. The Turks then kneeled upon the ground. Titles were granted and lands were gained. Histories were found, and studied again. And yet, his friend was missing.
As plans were begun to consolidate his rule and architects discovered new tools, a horn rang out, a deep trumpet's blare. A procession was marching along the thoroughfare.
The fore of the march was the Horde's kurultai, with a stone casket lifted up high. The trumpets blared a mournful sound, and Timur arose. From his throne he strode to the Golden Palace steps, and he thrust his spear to the sky. He spoke the Salat al-Janazah.
The procession halted at the base of the steps, and the rites were performed. With the kurultai still assembled, Temur Qutlugh knelt to the Khagan. "Khagan, Toktamysh rests in Paradise with Allah. We have chosen a new Khan."
Around his sorror, Timur's anger grew. The new khan was his to chose, it was his due. Before he could speak, Qutlugh continued, "Caliph Khagan, my lord, we request you. We are your brothers; our horses are fast, our arms are strong, are spears are shards, our bows shoot long. Before Allah, we submit ourselves and our lands, for together we will crush our enemies, see them driven before us, and hear the lamentations of their women."
And thus, Caliph Khagan Timur took the lands of the Golden Horde, and the world shuddered.
Gameplay:
I was waiting for my infamy to drop and for the truces with Delhi and Rajputana to end. I diplo-annexed Georgia and Qara Koyunlu, and then got lucky with a second Architectural Developments and an Excellent Diplomancy. There were a few bad events that lead to about 40k rebels between Anatolia and the provinces I got from Rajputana and Delhi, and I had just gotten back to stability 3. And then, I get a message that I inherited the Golden Horde, which about doubled the number of cores I had, removing the overextension effect and skyrocketing my income. Note, I got the cores because we're in the same cultural group (Tartar and Uzbek are both Altaic cultures). In addition to having slightly more provinces than Ming, I'd been having a fair it of luck with events, and realized that I could Westernize with just one more slider move together with forming the Mughal Empire. Seriously, 1410 was the most amazing year ever.
In the halls of the Golden Gate, Timur sought respite, For the will of Allah would not be met his life. With maps arrays and troops accounted, he knew he would meet Allah with his task unfulfilled. Timur knew despair. Histories revealed the lands of great conquerors splinter and are lost. Temujin, called Genghis, or Alexander, alike. What ties to bind his lands together, and see Allah's will be done?
His counsellors and emirs were called from their distant demenses, his vassal princes from their palaces, his generals and scholars and diplomats, too. From Acre to Ajmer, messengers spread his word.
Across the lands, their words returned, "We are coming great Khan." Save for one. Of his old friend Toktamysh, not a word was heard. All was silence to the north.
His princes, emirs, and scholars flowed into Baghdad and filled its abodes. From the Kazakhs and Nogai to Georgia to Chagatai, the learned and the strong in Baghdad arrived. And still, his friend was missing.
He asked questions of history and trade, of the building of roads and pallisades. He asked for submission, from the Georgians and the Turks. He asked how the Greeks knew the circumference of the earth. And still no word from the north.
The Georgians submitted, and offered their crown. The Turks then kneeled upon the ground. Titles were granted and lands were gained. Histories were found, and studied again. And yet, his friend was missing.
As plans were begun to consolidate his rule and architects discovered new tools, a horn rang out, a deep trumpet's blare. A procession was marching along the thoroughfare.
The fore of the march was the Horde's kurultai, with a stone casket lifted up high. The trumpets blared a mournful sound, and Timur arose. From his throne he strode to the Golden Palace steps, and he thrust his spear to the sky. He spoke the Salat al-Janazah.
The procession halted at the base of the steps, and the rites were performed. With the kurultai still assembled, Temur Qutlugh knelt to the Khagan. "Khagan, Toktamysh rests in Paradise with Allah. We have chosen a new Khan."
Around his sorror, Timur's anger grew. The new khan was his to chose, it was his due. Before he could speak, Qutlugh continued, "Caliph Khagan, my lord, we request you. We are your brothers; our horses are fast, our arms are strong, are spears are shards, our bows shoot long. Before Allah, we submit ourselves and our lands, for together we will crush our enemies, see them driven before us, and hear the lamentations of their women."
And thus, Caliph Khagan Timur took the lands of the Golden Horde, and the world shuddered.
Gameplay:
I was waiting for my infamy to drop and for the truces with Delhi and Rajputana to end. I diplo-annexed Georgia and Qara Koyunlu, and then got lucky with a second Architectural Developments and an Excellent Diplomancy. There were a few bad events that lead to about 40k rebels between Anatolia and the provinces I got from Rajputana and Delhi, and I had just gotten back to stability 3. And then, I get a message that I inherited the Golden Horde, which about doubled the number of cores I had, removing the overextension effect and skyrocketing my income. Note, I got the cores because we're in the same cultural group (Tartar and Uzbek are both Altaic cultures). In addition to having slightly more provinces than Ming, I'd been having a fair it of luck with events, and realized that I could Westernize with just one more slider move together with forming the Mughal Empire. Seriously, 1410 was the most amazing year ever.
Hey, I somehow missed this update. Very nice update, again. Thanks!
I'm very curious whether you'll be able to pull off the fastest world conquest ever
.
I'm very curious whether you'll be able to pull off the fastest world conquest ever
.
Impressive! I shudder to think what will the succession crisis look like! Unless, of course, you can form Mughal Empire before Timur dies.
He does. I was sent the save game right before the Mugs are formed. I decided to conquer all of Asia and limit myself to that. Asia of course being everything east of Poland. The last 200 or so years will be social engineering and nation-building for Vicky 2.
