Khamifate of Shanjahar

The Khamifate of Shanjahar is a suzerain monarchy whose capital rests in the city of Shanjahar in northern Zephasia. The monarchy was established in the fifteenth century by a Dagaithi chieftain with the migrations of the Dagaithi tribes and the expansion of the Imzaami Religion. The monarchy is called a 'khamifate' after the ruler who is the khamifa. There have been seven dynasties in the history of the khamifate. The rule of the khamifas spread from the core city of Shanjahar into the Isthmus of Zephasia, bringing numerous Zephasian tribes and principalities into its dominion. The khamifate consists of core territory over which the khamifa has direct rule as sovereign and outlying tributaries over which the khamifa is suzerain. The Ishaamate of Benjalay in principle is a vassal tributary of the khamifate, but in practice is nearly equal, particularly due to the powerful economic position and military power of Benjalay. The subject states of the khamifate extend from the steppes of southern Sahimb into the dense jungles of Zephasia.

The khamifate neighbors several other states due to the long extent of its borders. In addition to Benjalay, the khamifate neighbors the kingdom of the Quirth in Sumasthan, the High Priestdom of Chalydia, Uhurgine, and the numerous City-States of the Elephant Kings.

Dynasties of the Khamifate

See also: List of the Khamifas of Shanjahar

Seven dynasties in succession have held rule of the khamifate over its history. The founding dynasty, Khujdal Dynasty, 1443 to 1568, was of ethnic Dagaithi stock from Shagrela'al. During this time, the Khujdali rulers came to conflict with the dracknaughts of Karvazdihore, particularly in the Turtle Sea. The conflicts came to open war that ended with the invasion of the capital city of Shanjahar and the imposition of a dracknaught dynasty, the Tsalunkhu Dynasty, that ruled from 1568 to 1633, until it was over-thrown by a Bahunan human dynasty, the Esandefin Dynasty which ruled from 1633 to 1791. The Esandefinite rulers eventually succumbed to decadence and fell to the power of a dynasty of cambions, the Izmukim Dynasty, 1791 to 2144. The Izmukimites claimed descendancy from one of the chaos gods. These powerful rulers held power for three and a half centuries, but succumbed to the power of highly talented wizards in the Tsephudir Dynasty. The native Dagaithi Kholkha Dynasty assumed power after a protracted civil war and established the role of thePrince of the Sahmsuel. The Kholkhan rulers held power from 2378 to 2619 until they failed to produce an heir and the rival aristocratic family seized the throne which became the Shamshir Dynasty, established in 2619 and has ruled to the present day in Shanjahar.

Ziryathi Palace

Main article: Ziryathi Palace

Ziryathi Palace was constructed in the early twenty first century during the Izmukim Dynasty. The palace has been expanded by subsequent rulers over the centuries and now occupies the entirety of the prominence on which the first palace arose in Shanjahar. The Ziryathi Palace is the seat of the Topheleth Throne and the Courtyard of the Princes is the gathering place for Ishqam.

Topheleth Throne

Main article: Topheleth Throne

The Topheleth Throne was created in the late twenty second century by the Tsephudir rulers of Shanjahar. The throne is carved from a single piece of lapis lazuli, enhanced with fixtures of gold, platinum, and velvet upholstery. It rests in the throne room of the Ziryathi Palace in Shanjahar.

Ishqam

The Ishqam is the body of ruling princes subject to the suzerain Khamifa. They convene in the Courtyard of the Princes in the Ziryathi Palace under the command of the khamifa.

See Also

• Ishaamate of Benjalay
• List of the Khamifas of Shanjahar
• Shanjahar
• Turtle Sea
• Zephasia