Nabiya

Great Arani महाअरणी
Flag Imperial Seal
Anthem: ""Arani, I praise thee!"" "अरणी स्तोत्र" "Arani Stotra"
Location of  Nabiya  (dark green)
Capital	Sonaghar
Largest city	Sindhu
Official languages	Samskrta (religious & legal) Thakur (official)
Religion	Aranianism Jyanism
Demonym(s)	Aranian
Government	Theocratic Monarchic stratocracy
• Arani	Hasti Vyala
• Senapati	Chandragupta Dhibar
Legislature	Vriddhasangh
Establishment
• Indranila Kingdoms	~2000 BCE
• Unification of the Empire	265 BCE
• End of the Republic uprising	1937
Area
• Total	2,018,282.85 km2 (779,263.36 sq mi)
• Water (%)	4.02
Population
• Estimate	112,453,734
• Density	55.7/km2 (144.3/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2020 estimate
• Total	$800.806 billion
• Per capita	$7,121.2
GDP (nominal)	2020 estimate
• Total	$210.738 billion
• Per capita	$1,874
Gini	52.4 high
HDI	0.512 low
Currency	Purana

Nabiya, officially the Arani Empire, otherwise known as the Great Arani (Samskrta:महाअरणी), is a theocratic-monarchic stratocracy located in central Nabaia. The Arani Empire is one of the most populous states in Levilion with a population of 112 million. The capital of Nabiya is located in the spiritual city of Sonaghar, whilst the most populous city is Sindhu, located on the empire's southernmost coast. The Arani Empire covers a vast territory with multiple climates. Much of the empire is covered by tropical savanna climate, with very hot temperatures for most of the year and dry winters. To the south, the Arani Empire lies within the tropical rainforest climate the majority of which is made up of the vast Purana Rainforest. Much of the country's population is centred in the coastal regions as well as the two main rivers which run through the country, the Indranila and the Survanar Rivers. Nabiya was historically one of the most powerful actors in the eastern hemisphere, with large levels of influence in Nabaia and the neighbouring continents. However, within the modern era the Arani Empire has seen its influence decline considerably due to the impact of Auressian imperialism as well as political and economic instability. The Empire's de jure ruler and spiritual leader is the Arani, or 'Great Mother', currently Hasti Vyala. The Arani is also the head of the empire's official faith, with the position boasting of an allegedly uncontaminated bloodline and descendance from the firstborn of Levillion.

Very little record exists of the civilisations which inhabited Nabaia prior to the rise of the empire, nevertheless, records that do exist tell of a number of dynasties which existed along the continent's coasts. Much of the inland however was believed to have played host to several nomadic peoples who mostly engaged in raider customs against their coastal neighbours. Sonaghar society quickly sprouted a powerful warrior culture with strong religious overtures. Soon the Sonaghar began to conquer and colonise much of their neighbouring territory, soon engulfing much of Nabaia. In 265 BCE, the Arani Empire was declared, with its domain extending across the rainforests and deserts of the continent. Despite its newfound power, the Great Arani soon found itself embroiled in conflict with its powerful neighbours, and internal disputes over succession and territory. However, in the Eighteenth century with rising Auressian influence and declining authority of the Arani, a group of military vassals, under their leader the Senapati, launched a successful coup to take over the governing duties of the Arani. As a result, much of the real governing power of the empire is vested in the Vriddhasangha, the Senapati and the warrior classes of the empire, whilst the Arani herself is merely a spiritual and figurehead leader.

Today, the Great Arani remains a influential, albeit economically poor nation with widespread inequality and poverty. The growing dominance of the warrior classes of the empire has led to fragmentation within the central government leading to the outbreak of a communist-inspired insurgency within the twentieth century which continues to threaten the dominance of the Sonaghar-led regime. The economy of the country is considerably underdeveloped, partially owing to the lack of foreign investment leading the Arani Empire's economy to be dominated by the agrarian and resource extraction sectors. Nabiya is known to be a particular hotbed for precious gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and emeralds, as well as silver which played a major role in the Arani economy historically.

Nabiya maintains a strong level of isolationism within its foreign policy with the government holding a strong scepticism of foreign interference in its affairs, a legacy of the colonial period. Despite this, the Empire does fervently assert its authority across its traditional sphere of influence in greater Nabaia. Though owing to the underequipped and outdated nature of its military, Arani authority remains limited across the wider region with the government even struggling to maintain a foothold over its own territory.

Geography

Khadakya mountains in southern Rajatakhand

Magkura River in Cara Pradesa

Nabiya lies within central Surucia within the subcontinental region of Nabaia from which the common name of the country is derived. Nabiya is flanked by the Abhrankasa mountains to the north-east which largely form much of the country's easternmost border with Mathastan, whilst to the north-west lies the Khorandian desert. With a total land area of 2,018,282.85 km² (779,263.36 sq mi), Nabiya is the largest country in Nabaia and the fourth-largest in Surucia by total land area.

Nabiya is home to a number of prominent rivers which have played a major role in the country's religious, economic and religious development. The two most prominent rivers within the country are the Survanar and Indranila rivers, the latter of which was home to some of the oldest recorded human civilisations in Levilion. Both rivers have great cultural significance for the Nabiyan people given that much of the country's population lives within their vicinity. Both are also directly mentioned within sacred Jyani and Aranian texts as a site for purification and reflection, as such numerous religious shrines and sites line these rivers dedicated to either faith. The largest cities within Nabiya are located on these rivers, with the cities of Sindu, home to over 6 million people, and Sundalore, another city of considerable size, both located on the Survanar River. The capital of Sonaghar is located within the north-west of the country on the Apala river, a tributary of the Indranila.

The highest point in Nabiya is Mount Adonis, or Tirthakara (Thrakur: तीर्थकर) as it is known in Nabiyan sources, located in the Abhrankasa mounains. The Abrankasa mountains contains some of the highest peaks in all of Levilion and forms a part of the wider Surucian mountain chain. The Abrankasa mountains were formed by the subduction of the Antonesia tectonic plate below the larger Auresurican plate. As a result of this, northern Nabiya is home to considerable seismic activity in the form of earthquakes, the most recent of which took place in 2008 measuring 5.7ML on the Richter scale.

Several islands outlying islands within the Nabaian sea are also part of the territory claimed by the Empire, including the islands of Antapala within the Nila Bay and the island of Kasama, the latter of which is home to an extinct volcano. Additionally, Nabiya claims sovereignty over the island of Vivikta which is currently within the territory of Kaona. Nabiya's claims to the island are largely historical are widely disregarded as tentative within the international community.

Climate

Located around 10^º north of the equator, much of Nabiyan territory is classified as tropical savanna climate ensuring the country is home to long dry seasons and vast grasslands. However, Nabiya's southernmost territories lie within the tropical rainforest climate with some coastal areas also covering the tropical monsoon climate leading to extraordinary wet seasons for select areas of the country. Annual rainfall within these areas can range anywhere between 4,500mm (177.2 in) and 2,500mm (98.4 in) of rain annually. By contrast the drier interior north of the country only averages around 1,000mm (39.4 in) per year.

Temperatures within Nabiya generally range between 0^ºC and 40^ºC, though temperatures can regularly reach highs of 45^ºC in the summer months, with a record high of 51^ºC recorded within Bandaluru in 2014. Much of the south however experiences warmer winters which do not regularly drop below 10^ºC, largely thanks to the warmer waters which surround the country within the Nabaian Sea. Nevertheless, colder temperatures can be experienced within the north-east of the country, largely within regions that lie within the Abrankasa mountains.

Numerous ecological groups have expressed deep concern about the potential impact of climate change upon Nabiya due to rising temperatures and sea levels which will have considerable impact on the most populous areas of the country. Such groups have looked to aid the Nabiyan government in a transition to net-zero through the usage of renewable energy and widespread healthcare and infrastructure projects. However, the Nabiyan government has remained cautious about involving foreign actors to influence its energy policy and has shown a reluctance to move away from an energy sector dominated by coal and other fossil fuels.

Biodiversity

Sundalore tiger in Kharashan

The peafowl is the national bird of Nabiya

Nabiya is home to a vast diversity of wildlife with a wide range of ecosystems across the country. Nevertheless, in recent years Nabiya's biodiversity has come under threat due to the impact of climate change as well as poaching and human enroachment. Nabiya is known to be home to a significant black market particularly for ivory and leopard skins. Due to this threat the Nabiyan government has looked to increase conservation efforts in recent years, declaring areas of the country protected national parks, as well as introducing harsh punishments for poaching and black market trading. Additionally, Nabiya is also widely affected by considerable pollution within its urban areas due to a lack of environmental protections and regulations. Some of the largest cities such as Sindu and Sundalore rank poorly for air quality whilst large swathes of farmland are affected by poor regional management of the nitrogen cycle. Nevertheless, the importance of the agricultural sector to Nabiya's economic growth has led the government to step in as recently as 2016 to introduce new legislation aimed at ensuring the viability and longevity of the country's agricultural production. Such regulations have also sought to tackle slash-and-burn agricultural pratices, such as Jhum which has historically been prominent within the country's southern and easternmost regions and has been identified as a threat to forests and soil fertility within these regions.

Largely due to the poor economic growth of the country throughout much of the modern era, Nabiya's forest and wildlife habitat has largely remained untouched, particularly within the south-east and centremost regions. Nabiya's forest cover is estimated at around 32.7%, with forests encompassing around 659,978.5 km² (254819.1 sq mi) of land in the country. Much of the forests across Nabiya are comprised of tropical moist forests and are home to some of the most diverse forest species on the planet, including a vast array of hardwood trees such as oak, teak and sal trees make up the majority of forests across the country. Other notable notable indigenous trees including the neem, sandalwood and ashvattha all of which have significance as key ingredients for traditional Nabiyan spiritual and herbal remedies. Despite the widespread forest cover of the country, recent years have seen a boom within the country's largely underregulated logging industry which has particularly targeted the country's southernmost regions. International environmental actors have also expressed outrage over what they describe as the government's "tacit support" for deforestation efforts in the south-east as an attempt to root out the ongoing insurgency within the region.

Nabiya is also home to a wide range of animal species, the most notable being the tiger rhinoceros and elephant each of which are popular national symbols of the country. Smaller notable animals include various monkeys and gibbons as well as the red panda which is endemic to the north-east of the country. Additionally, Nabiya is known to be home to over 1,000 species of bird such as the Nabiyan bustard, green pigeon, kingfisher and peafowl, the latter of which is the national bird of Nabiya. Despite this diversity in wildlife, numerous species have become extinct over the past few decades owing to climactic changes as well as various human factors such as urbanisation poaching and overfishing. Many species within Nabiya are now registered on the International Environmental Agency's list of critically endangered species, including the gharial, a species of crocodile, and hangul a species of red stag endemic to the Abrankasa mountains.

Politics

Arani

Mural depicting Arani Abhitha V with her descendants

The Arani is the head-of-state of the Empire and acts as the spiritual head of Aranianism, the Empire's official faith. As the Arani's authority stems from her alleged direct descendance from the mother of creation and her first children. As a result it is believed that the Arani bloodline is superior to that of mortal humans and as such is required to remain pure. Therefore, the royal family have historically practiced consanguinity in order to maintain the purity of the imperial bloodline, unless the fostering of an offspring outside of the family is absolutely necessary to secure the royal family's future. The Arani is forbidden from any direct marriages, as it is believed she is spiritually married to both her country and people, though there is the expectation that the Arani would foster an offspring with a member of the Imperial family. As a result of many centuries of inbreeding, the royal family has become plagued with a number of genetic defects resulting in physical and mental deficiencies in its members, greatly impacting their ability to govern; a major factor in the seizure of power by the Senapati in the Twentieth century. Additionally, the level of inbreeding present in the royal family has led to significant problems in fostering offspring, with many rulers being rendered infertile as a result. Therefore, in recent years an increasing number of Arani have taken to fostering their offspring outside of the royal family with members of the nobility.

Although nominally ruling as an absolute god-empress, the authority of the Arani is vested in the Vriddhasangha and the Senapati. Nevertheless, the Arani is still required to uphold her religious duties as the head of the church and to ensure the upbringing and posterity of the royal family. The religious duties of the Arani include giving a yearly spiritual address and religious service across each of the empire's provinces, distributing blessings or spiritual healings, as well as regularly praying for the future prosperity of the realm. Historically, the royal family has been known for its spiritual connections, with many of its members traditionally believed to have various mystical abilities which would be displayed for a chosen few at private imperial ceremonies.

Government

Vriddhasangha

The Vriddhasangha or Council of Elders is the ancient advisory council to the Arani, which is tasked with enforcing the Arani's will and providing advice as to the best way to govern the realm. Whilst the Arani no longer serves any governing function in the empire, the Vriddhasangha still maintains its position, though as an advisory body to the Senapati for political matters, and the Arani for matters spiritual. Since its inception, the Vriddhasangha has been made up of Court Eunuchs, brought up through the ranks of the country's civil service. Most court eunuchs were kidnapped as young boys from their families either within the empire, or from foreign lands during wars. The practice of utilising eunuchs was twofold: eunuchs held no personal familial or territorial connections, making them prime candidates to govern in the interest of the realm; and as eunuchs, there is no risk of contaminating the royal bloodline from their close connection to the royal family.

Each member of the Vriddhasangha is placed in control of specific Governing ministries of the Empire, these being the Ministries of Personnel, Revenue, Rites, Justice and Works. Whilst the Ministry of War was traditionally served by all members of the council during wartime, under the current administration, the Senapati is appointed as head of the Ministry of War. Official sessions of the Council of Five are held every season, for a total of four each year, or for emergency sessions under special circumstances. Official sessions involve the attendance of both the Arani and Senapati. However, when not in session, the Vriddhasangha meet on a regular basis to discuss the business of government or any outstanding issues within the Empire.

Culture

Architecture

Portion of the Dumaria walls in north-western Nabiya

Temple of Mahati Mayura in Dilana

Nabiya has a rich architectural tradition, dating back to the first civilisations to emerge within the Indranila valley over four thousand years ago with evidence of civic planning and even drainage systems apparent within the area. Early Nabaian architecture from the Sixth Century BCE attests to the rise of Jyanism within the region as vast temple complexes and other religious structures began to emergence across the country from this date. The emergence of the Arani Empire as a unified state around the Third Century BCE sees the emergence of the first real cohesive architectural style in the country, now largely known as early Arani architecture by scholars. Such architecture would largely be centred on religious temples, castles and palaces which emerged with the expansion of the empire as well as the Great Walls of Dumaria constructed along the Empire's north-western frontier around the First Century BCE.

By the Fifteenth Century however, Nabiya came under the increasing cultural and architectural influence of its western neighbours, forming what was to become known as the Mausula architectural style. This new architectural style has become synonymous with the Patala line of Arani rulers who ruled the Empire from 1432 until their deposition in 1756. During this period, the Imperial family was a great patron of Mausula architecture leading to the creation of a vast number of palaces, temples and gardens within this style. The Mausula also came to be associated with the Arani Empire at its political zenith within modern history, prior to the outbreak of the Eighteenth century wars of succession and the emergence of colonial rule. Key features of this style included large onion domes, minarets and iwans. Notable examples of the Mausula style include the Great Fort of Sonaghar, the Temple of Mahati Mayura and the Palace of Nila Madhvi.

By the Nineteenth century and the collapse of the Empire's stability and cohesion, Nabiya found itself increasingly under the influence of foreign actors, namely Tyrnica and late Rythene leading to more Auressian influenced architecture to emerge, particularly within the port cities of the former empire which were largely under the direct rule of colonial powers. Such constructions led to the development of Nabaio-gothic architecture which looked to infuse Auressian architectural styles with various Nabaian architectural traditions. Notably this style would be used for major buildings such as train stations, customs offices or administative buildings which would be largely used to regulate the flow of trade and maintain order within the colonies of the Auressian powers.

With the onset of the Twentieth Century, Nabiya saw the emergence of some elements of modernist architecture largely influenced by the continued influence of Rythene within the country's foreign and domestic politics, leading to the rise in more Auressian and internationalist architectural influences. Elements of art deco and neoclassical architecture became commonplace in major cities, whilst upon independence brutalism would become dominant in newly emergent towns and cities. The modern era has also seen the emergence of Mausula revival architecture largely in the form of major public monuments or government buildings. Additionally, the International Style has become increasingly common in key hubs such as Sindu and Sundalore, however remains limited to these few urban hubs.

Food and Drink

Traditional Nabiyan Kitali

Nabiya's cuisine is largely based on rice and gravy-based dishes which have become synonymous with the country's cuisine internationally. Due to the significant Jiyani infuence throughout the country, Nabiya has a significant vegetarian population which has greatly influenced the cuisine of the country, particularly within the more southern and easterly regions. Nevertheless, the north and west of the country has traditionally home to more meat-based dishes with widespread use of chicken, lamb and mutton. The use of spices is particularly prominent within Nabiyan cuisine, with the spice blend garam masala the most common in Nabiyan dishes. The blend contains a mixture of fennel, bay leaves, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, mace, cardamom, cumin, coriander and red chili powder which help to make Nabiyan cuisine amongst the most aromatic and spicy in all of Levilion.

Nabiya is also renowned for its considerable tea culture, with the country being one of the largest consumers of tea per-capita in Levilion. The most popular tea in Nabiya is Masala chai, though variations of green and red tea are also common. Nabiyan teashops known as Cayavala (Thakur: चायवाला) are prominent throughout the country and can also be found across Levilion in country's with a considerable Nabiyan diaspora. These shops usually serve tea along with an assortment of snacks as well as providing access to hookah.

Tea is Nabiya is traditionally prepared using a two-tiered vertical teapot known as a Kitali (Thakur: किटली) and is served into small tulip-shaped glasses called Sipara (Thakur: सिपर). A Kitali consists of a lower teapot filled with water which is boiled and an upper teapot which contains tea leaves and a small amount of water. The vertical nature of the teapot allows the tealeaves to be indirectly heated by the lower teapot, ensuring that the leaves do not burn. The two teapots then allow the tea to be diluted using the lower teapot, allowing the user to control the strength of the final beverage. Historically, tea leaves have been grown throughout the country's easternmost regions and tea in Nabiya is synonymous with homeliness, safety and hospitality. In classical Nabiyan diplomacy tea would be offered to envoys during negotiations as a welcoming gift and a sign that enemy diplomats would be treated fairly and protected for the duration of any peace talks.