Anitkabir

## Hasan's Holy Empire of Anitkabir

Imperial Banner

Anitkabir in 1908

6% Mardin

4% Dengfeng

10% Others

5% Kanisat

2% Juduak

3% Others

Anitkabir

## History

Birite tribes historically occupied the region since the 7th Century BCE. They claim descent from their semi-legendary founder Bir of Og, who overthrew the Oggian Empire and established his own kingdom on its frontiers.

The ancient Erisian Empire, between the 5th and 3rd Centuries BCE, pushed some of the southern tribes back and forced them to pay tribute, claiming much of the southern coastline of the modern-day state. The Reman Empire, in turn, conquered this region during their wars with Erisia. The Remans viewed the Birite tribes as useful but barbarian allies. In the 2nd Century CE, the Remans recognized Milek of Ethcik as "king of the Biri" and identified them as a client state.

By the 4th Century, however, the relationship had soured, and the northern Birite tribes were one of the major partners of the "barbarian coalition" that tore through the Reman Empire, and caused the First Collapse. The Remans identified three major tribes (the Kabir, Anbir, and Subir) as part of the Birite tribal confederation, with the Anbir taking the principal role against the Remans, under the king Adham of Ethcik.

However, following the Reman collapse in the 5th Century, the Birite tribal leaders fell out among themselves, and allowed ethnic Reman states such as Baetica and Appia to quickly reestablish themselves. In the mid 900s, the Second Reman Empire briefly reunited many of these dominions and pushed hard into Birite territory. The Anbir suffered a catastrophic defeat at Tucbanik in 1031, which many historians identify as the high water mark of the Second Reman Empire. The Subir, at around the same point, lost much of their territory to Astyria-Denishu and Dengfeng.

By 1200, however, the Second Reman Empire was in rapid retreat. The Kabirite tribes, formerly the weakest of the three Birite groups, now shot into the ascendance under Milek/Melek II (sometimes called Melek the Great). The shattered Anbir and Subir unofficially were incorporated into the Kabirites, and Melek founded the unified kingdom of Anit-Kabir, naming himself Sultan. Beginning in 1324, Melek spearheaded invasions of the Reman successor states, personally conquering Baetica in 1329 and Reman Biritia in 1344.

Melek's descendents would go on to incorporate Anitaria in 1401. Between 1440 and 1450, Melek III (Melek the Glorious) did even better, conquering the powerful Reman successor state of Sextiana in 1440, and going on to overwhelm Atillia (1442), Appia (1447), and Petraea (1450), which would become known to history as ***The Black Decade***.

The Kabirite resurgence coincided with the rise of Hishelma, a religion blending eastern mysticism, traditional Birite tribal deities, and certain Theophanite ideas.

Starting in 1500, however, Anitkabir suffered their first major defeat when the ethnic Erisians, who lived in several of their newly-conquered border territories, successfully rebelled and carved out their new nation of Erisia. To the north, the Liotainian city-states reunited under pressure from the encroaching Kabirites, and the eastern frontiers with Dengfeng and Valduchac suffered constant border wars.

In 1570, Liotain organized the "Holy League" to push back Kabirite incursions in the border territories. The Kabirites suffered minor defeats on land at Rovereto and Innichenziai, and a major defeat at sea at Cape Sovata, the largest galley battle of history. A 1629 invasion of Liotain, despite initial success, derailed at Rudeksna, with a large Kabirite army being virtually destroyed in the course of the campaign. Erisia also proved a difficult opponent, and the Syrellians resisted a major invasion between 1662 and 1668 (Great Syrellian War).

Despite these setbacks to the west and north, Anitkabir reached its greatest territorial extent in 1675, when Valduchac declared fealty to the Sultan, paying annual tribute and officially converting to Hishelma. This state of affairs proved short-lived, however. While Anitkabir was distracted by another war against Liotain between 1693 and 1700, Valduchac quietly ceased their tribute and reneged on their treaty. Dengfeng and Tiberi also seized key border territories in 1706.

Since the early 1700s, Anitkabir entered a period of slow territorial contraction, losing minor border provinces to Liotain, Syrellia, and Tiberi; Firocco also acquired the treaty port of Karindah following a political misstep by the Kabirites (accompanied by Firoccan bribes and judicious use of force). Anitkabir was slow to industrialize, and significantly lags their western neighbors in terms of technology. However, in 1901, they deployed a small but modern army which successfully reacquired several border territories from Dengfeng and Valduchac, showing that they are still a force to be reckoned with.

## Government

Anitkabir is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan. There is no constitution and the sovereign holds a great amount of power and liberty in decision-making, being limited only by an oath to act in accordance to the will of Hasan. The Sultan also holds the title of Taliph, the leader of all Hishelmites, and consequently has significant influence over the official religious structure as well. Religion is deeply intertwined with the legal and political systems of the empire, and the state’s primary responsibility is seen as ensuring the continuation of the war against Say and the proper morality of society as a whole, in accordance to Hishelmite understandings.

The House of Sinan has held power among the Kabir since 1241, when Umar I founded the dynasty, and has governed Anitkabir since its creation in its modern form by Selim I in 1401. The dynasty’s longevity is unequaled in the region, having held to power for more than 650 years. Sultans have only resigned or been deposed four times, all since the beginning 18th century, showing a great level of political stability inside the empire for most of its existence. As such, the current Sultan, Mehmet IV, is a direct patrilineal descendant of Umar I of Sinan.

The existence of the Royal Harem has served a major role in ensuring the stability and continuation of the line. Among the harem, the wives and concubines of the Sultan hold ranking positions, starting with the Sultana Consort, followed by the Second, Third and Fourth Sultanas, the Sultancegizas and, at the bottom, general concubines. The heir is the senior of the sons of the highest-ranking wife possible – as such, if the Sultana Consort has no sons, the most senior son of the Second Sultana becomes heir apparent. The highest-ranking wives traditionally hold considerable influence over the palace schools’ system, responsible not only for the training of the sultan’s sons, but also most high-ranking political officials of the state. The palace schools’ system also occupies a relevant and respected role in confirming or demoting apparent heirs, greatly strengthened during the 17th and 18th centuries, which ends up allowing for the wives of the Sultan an impactful role in the country’s politics.

Although the Sultan is seen as supreme sovereign, there is important delegation of power in the Empire’s political structure. The Grand Vizier, nominated by the Sultan, occupies the central executive leadership role in the imperial level, similar to that of a President or Prime-Minister. Though fully under the authority of the Sultan himself, the Grand Viziers have traditionally *de facto* held great autonomy since the 16th century, with unlimited powers of appointment, dismissal and supervision. The role has been occupied by Barise Pasha since 1903.

The Grand Vizier is also accompanied by a number of specific Viziers, that guide executive decision-making in determined areas. Together with innumerous adviser and consultants, the Viziers and the Grand Vizier form the Imperial Council, that counsel the Sultan on decision-making on all matters.

Since 1842, the country also regularly calls an electoral consultative assembly, the Imperial Assembly, which holds little influence over the Sultan. It deals with severe lack of representation, with women, ethnic minorities and lower classes being systematically disenfranchised. The Sultan holds the competency to freely suspend and dismiss the Assembly, as well as to recall elections, power which has been exerted a number of times. Even with such limitations, the council’s existence is still very divisive, with some defending it as an important step towards greater political participation, while others see it as the encroaching of “unholy foreign influences” over the Sultan’s virtuous right to rule.

The lines between state assets and family wealth from the House of Selim is blurry in Anitkabir, as power is still heavily concentrated in the divine right of the Taliph to rule. As such, private property, personal rights and rule of law are still fragile concepts in the country, heavily dependent on the wills of the Sultans and their family. However, significant changes have been observed in the last decades, partially as a result from domestic pressure, as can be seen by the 1908 Law on the Ownership of Land.

The country is governed through a complex and multileveled bureaucratic system called Memurlar System, memur being the name of the civil servants of all levels. It started to be developed in the late 14th century, as the quick expansion of Anitkabir demanded a new system of civil management at the local level, but reached its modern form in the 18th century, after reforms inspired by the Firoccan system. Initiated by Burakgasi I, the reforms were only partially completed before his early death in 1781, resulting in several systemic problems. The System is considered inefficient, extremely corrupt and ridden with nepotism, and is deemed as one of the central challenges to growth in the country. This vision in regards to the inefficiency is shared among the Kabirite population, and the system is a common target of jokes. Yet, the Memurlar hold considerable influence in Anitkabir and attempts to reform the bureaucracy since Burakgasi I’s reign have failed.

### Law

The central body of law in Anitkabir is based around Hishelma, more particularly the Onurlukma, that is, the analysis and discussion of the Alnuri for the purpose of structuring legal, political, economic or moral guides. The understanding that the Hishelmites hold a collective responsibility to act in conformity to Good has manifested itself directly over the judicial system of the country, impacting the possibility of development a purely civil law and affecting the access of non-Hishelmites to the protection under the judicial system.

The judicial system is deeply intertwined with the religious structure of Kabirite Orthodox Hishelma. It is organized around local jurisprudence with the power rested on the local shikvizi, religious scholars of the Alnuri, and most courts being located inside tapinaks. There is a system of appeal in place, going up the religious hierarchy, first to one of the Great Shikvizi and then, in exceptional cases, to the Grand Shikvizi of Tapilasi. As such, all findings and judgements must be based on Onurlukma, with legal precedent also being amply mobilized. The country also counts with a well-developed *Code of Unmoral Conduct and Its Appropriate Punishment*, that is expected to be used as reference by shikvizi when making judgments. A shikvizi considered to have made decisions in harsh contradiction to the Code may be appropriately punished.

Though less common in rural regions, bigger cities tend to have a more development judicial structure, with designated court houses and shikvizi specialized in the subject of Law, the hakem shikvizi. More complex and exceptional cases may also be judged by a council of hakem shikvizi, if understood as more appropriate by the incumbent judge.

As a consequence of the deep religious aspect of law in Anitkabir, several communities have developed local systems, parallel to the state’s. This practice is particular common in the western border, where rural Teophanite communities have created an interlinked judicial system based on the region’s traditions and their own religion. Similarly, Kanisat followers deep into the Kurakova also tend to follow their own traditional practices. These systems tend to be tolerated by the government, who turns a blind eye. More seriously, non-Hishelmite communities in bigger cities have a tendency not to resort to the Law, creating a problem of endemic unreported crime in some areas.

## Ethnic Composition

* 68% Birite
* 12% Reman
* 6% Mardin
* 4% Dengfeng
* 10% Other

## Culture

Hishelma is a major element shaping Anitkabir's culture, ranging from architecture, music, and entertainment. Hishelma is the only legal religion in the country, although since the 1850s, the others have only been punished with a modest fine, serving as... tolerance, of a sort.

The Kabirites play an equestrian game called *Alan*, which shows similarities to the Liotainian sport of sritije. Anitkabir claims they invented the sport, however.

Slavery is still legally practiced in Anitkabir. In practice, it is limited to the non-Birite population, and justified as they are descended from groups taken in war in prior centuries. Due to religious support, it has not been seriously challenged.

Literacy remains low (>50%), which is one of the primary obstacles to the nation's industrialization.

## Notes

* Battleships and coastal battleships are named after famous sultans.
* Armoured cruisers are named after battles.
* Light and protected cruisers are named after cities.
* Destroyers and torpedo boats are numbered.

Anitkabir initially had good success as a naval power on the Encircled Sea; the Battle of Cape Sovata in 1571 was their first major defeat. Since that point, they have struggled to keep up with Liotain, Antargentina, and Firocco.