Grand Canal

The Grand Canal was a major engineering work connecting the River Thala and the River Thuaitl in the Empire of Trahana. It was in reality a long series of locks and short canals, as it covered relatively hilly ground between the two river valleys. The canal also extended a considerable distance down the Thuaitl, as it joined the river near its headwaters, above its navigable point. Its eastern end on the Thala was just north of the major and ancient city of Aeda, while its western end was near the city of Hachtli.
The Grand Canal was a major project of the reign of the Dulama Emperor Orlaugh Saghir, who undertook to transform the Dulama Empire in his image. While many of Orlaugh's reforms were later considered to have difficulties for the late empire that led to its collapse, the Grand Canal was an unmitigated success, dramatically decreasing travel times for goods moving between the central and western regions of the empire. However, the Dulama Empire would have only about a century to enjoy the fruits of the Canal, which fell into decay into the Dulama Civil War and, after the complete collapse of the Dulama, fell under the control of the Empire of Trahana.
Although the Canal remained usable for some time, and the end of the chaos that followed the end of the Dulama improved commerce in the region, political division of the Thuaitl valley between the Trahana and Naran decreased its usage, and larger vessels were no longer able to traverse parts due to silting. When war broke out between Naran and Trahana maintenance on the canal ceased entirely, and the end of the war brought no respite: the Gurgheli chieftains established in the aftermath of Naran's defeat promptly commenced raiding and pillaging the general area, including the canal. By the end of the 7th century SR the Grand Canal was an irreparable ruin, the huge, crumbling locks and canals standing as a stark reminder of the vanished glory and prosperity of the Dulama. 
Category:West
Category:Geography
Category:Architecture
Category:Dulama