Sultanate of Herat

Starting Resource: 32 -- From Land: 28 -- From Trade: 4 Capital Territory: Herat Nation Class: Medium Total Starting Military Infantry: 8 Cavalry: 5 Knights: 0 Artillery: 0 Generals: 1 Merchantmen: 0 Frigates: 0 Ships of the Line: 0

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Herat is probably a descendant of the ancient Persian town of Artacoana, established before 500 BC. It may also have been known as Aria. It was captured by Alexander in 330 BC during his war against the Persian Achaemenid Empire. The town was rebuilt and the citadel was constructed. It was part of the Seleucid Empire but was captured by others on various occasions and became part of the Parthian Empire in 167 BC. Around 300 it became a seat of Christianity, with a Nestorian bishop. Around 484 it became part of the Hephthalite Empire. Around 786-809 it was part of the Abbasid caliphate. Later, it was ruled by the Tahirid dynasty. After 867-869 the Saffarid dynasty took control. Before 1040 it was ruled by the Ghaznavids. In 1040 it was captured by the Seljuk Empire. In 1175 it was captured by the Ghorids and then came under the Khawarazm Empire. In this period Herat became an important center for the production of metal goods, especially in bronze, often decorated with elaborate inlays in precious metals. In 1221 it was captured by the Mongols and later destroyed by Genghis Khan. In 1245 it was given to the Kart Maliks. Around 1381 it was destroyed again by Timur. Under his son Shah Rukh it was rebuilt and became an important center under the Timurid Empire. In the late 1400s the Musallah complex (with many minarets) was built under the rule of Queen Gawharshad. Her tomb complex is considered one of the great monuments of Timurid architectural carving. In the mid 1400's the Timurid Empire splintered, the core being split between Tamerlane's two sons, one with his seat of power in Herat and the other in Samarkand. The fringes of the Empire broke away. Tamerlane's Empire had been large, so while being just a portion thereof, both Herat and Samarkand hold large tracks of land and have fair military strength. Herat is perhaps a bit more vulnerable than Samarkand, wedged in between Samarkand, Dehli and the White Sheep Turks. Alliance with either the White Sheep Turks or Samarland give Herat the best chance at survival and expansion. Visit the 1483 Discussion Forums to chat about the Sultanate of Herat.