Waranjala Empire

Waranjala Empire Glɔ D̰lhọọ̃zgṛ́de Bruyba
c. 1200 CY–1737 CY
Greatest extent of the Waranjala Empire shown in green, with tributaries shown in light green
Capital	Various
Common languages	Classical Waranjala
Government	Hegemonic military confederation
Lord
• 1232 CY – ???? CY	Weergrm Nilg
History
• Established	c. 1200 CY
• Disestablished	1737 CY

The Waranjala Empire was a large hegemonic thalassocratic empire that stretched over much of eastern Jarruunh. Led by a small collection of confederated city-states, the empire quickly gained dominion over much of Jarruunh, mostly using their sophisticated bronze production and shipbuilding. The Empire was founded by a confederation of 5 major cities located in southeastern Jarruunh, Mãydhzul, Dyiĩyiĩn, Wõmrdi, Nyoõl, and Nhaadhbũw. The empire would be the most influential polity in the history of Jarruunh, as it would spread its lingua franca, the Classical Waranjala language, across all of eastern Jarruunh. Over the course of the 17th century CY, the empire would gradually lose its hold over several cities and tributaries where it had established dominion, and by 1737 the empire had effectively collapsed.

Etymology

The term Waranjala Empire is an anachronistic term for simplicity, particularly among scholars and historians in Huo and Yazland. This term has since spread amongst the modern Waranjala peoples, particularly among ethno-nationalist and independence groups. During the 16th – 18th centuries, the Waranjala called the empire Glɔ D̰lhọọ̃zgṛ́de Bruyba (lit. “land of the five Dlhozes”). A Dlhoz being the traditional word for the ruler of a city.

History

Founding

It is unknown when exactly the alliance between the 5 cities that made up the Waranjala Empire was established, but there’s evidence from at least 1227 that there was an alliance between Wõmrdi and Mãydhzul. The first recorded D̰ạdẉ́yo or Lord of the Waranjala Empire is Weergrm Nilg, elected in 1232 by the 5 cities that would come to make the hegemony of the Waranjala Empire.

Rise

By 1347, the empire dominated much of the southeastern coast and the Ngudr river valley. Thanks to the empire’s sophisticated shipbuilding techniques, learned from Huo merchants and artisans, they held a strong grip along the coast and their trade routes. In 1351, under the rule of X, the empire would also take control of Yelnr River and the surrounding area, bringing further dominance in trade and political influence. The Waranjala Empire would also begin to extort tribute and resources further south along the coast, including from the bison herders of the X desert. With control of copper mines and trade routes for tin, the empire was able to make sophisticated bronze weaponry and art. By the time of Lord X’s rule in 1396, the empire had come to control the northern X peninsula, effectively controlling trade throughout Eastern Jarruunh. They would trade extensively with the Great Kingdom of Chiöq in northwest Huo, bringing a golden age to the empire. With newfound resources and prosperity, the campaigns of subsequent lords would bring northeast Jarruunh under the rule of the empire, and the various navies of the empire would patrol the southern coasts, extorting tribute from costal towns and communities.

Dhlozes’ War

Main article: Dhlozes’ War

Throughout the century prior, rulership of various subject cities would be managed by one of the 5 Dhlozes of the empire, all of whom answered to the Lord. However this system would later become bloated, leading to a decentralization of the empire and embezzlement by the Dhlozes. Under the rule of Lord X, there would be an attempted reform of the system for more efficient governance. Opposed by three out of the five Dhlozes of the empire, this would lead to a bloody civil war in 1412, centered mainly around the Ngudr river valley with some conflict elsewhere in the empire. Eventually Lord X and his supporters would reign victorious, as his enemies were deposed and a reform of the empire took place. X