Uttara

Uttara or उत्तर is a name for a legal concept that developed during the Shambhalan Revolutionary Wars to justify the vast influence armies had gained, and constrain them vis a vis the existing princes. The concept was laid down through the Smriti of Self-Defense by the Nandi Monk. It was adopted by Ayvana in 1922 and later by X and X.

Uttara states that for "self-defense" in our current yuga - princes must pay "zulka" to a powerful army in exchange for their protection, and through the taking of zulka from many princes the army creates a "circle of states". The army reciprocates this fee by guaranteeing the defense of the princes, both from outside states and internal rebellion.

As the defender of states, the army takes on different roles during peace and wartime. The smriti defined these proper roles - stating during peacetime the army should respect the rule of the princes, merely waging convert war on their enemies or putting down internal rebellion. Due to the necessitates of total war, the army would act differently in wartime. The Nandi Monk stated during wartime that the princes would temporarily rescind their power to the army, and the army would be allowed "every option" to protect the circle of states. After the disturbance the army was to give back it's power, or the princes and people would no longer pay tribute. The army invoking these wartime powers is known as "declaring Uttara".

Uttara represented a shift in the traditional political logic in Southern Ochran, since Princes no longer had to seek hegemony in order to guarantee security. Thus Uttara would allow for better political stability and more cohesion. The concept would be improved upon by scholars, who would give standing forces the responsibility of protecting trade networks, and giving companies the option of paying zulka without enjoying the same primacy enjoyed by princes since they merely have Aidha.

History

When the Shambhalan Revolutionary Wars began each Ayvani prince had their own armies, who coordinated with others to achieve waraims. As the war expanded in scope these armies began coordinating together and even went under single commanders. The vast expansion of armies allowed them to push political aims - especially in the periphery - and they began competeting in power with the Princes. In order to resolve the growing political power of the armies Nandi Monk formalised their relationship with the Smriti of Self-Defense, which was soon adopted by all the Princess to control their armies. The doctrine was invoked for the rest of the Shambhalan Revolutionary Wars, however absolute power was only de facto given in conqured lands. In the Sandhyāra yud'dha, the doctrine was invoked again, giving the army absolute power. During this period it was critized for giving the army the powers of breaking many laws of war, unrestrained by civilian control. Since the Sandhyāra yud'dha the doctrine hasn't been invoked.

Commentary

As an important concept in Ayvani Law, Uttara has recived much commentary among Ayvani scholars. Neo-legalist scholar C.K Devas has called the concept the effective formalisation of sovereignity within Ayvana, since it gives the army absolute powers in the event of crisis. C.K Devas has also pointed out the armies "commisarial" role, they are not to remake the Consitution but merely use their absolute power to protect it. Leftist scholar Aditi Padhya has pointed out Uttara's role in keeping down the masses and cementing the princes hegemony. Her analysis focuses on Uttara's usage during the Sandhyāra yud'dha, as princes would use the army as a proxy to conduct human rights violations while flouting responsibility. She pointed out how Uttara allows the princes to remain distant from the violence of Ayvani capital - much of which is owned by the Princes - allowing them to present an image of peace to the outside world.