Shirvani Dominion
Shirvani Dominion Şirvani hökmranlığı | |
|---|---|
| 1922–1950 | |
 Flag | |
| Motto: United in Strength | |
| File:ShirvaniDominionMap.png The Dominion in 1934 | |
| Capital | Imishli |
| Government | Authoritarian Dictatorship |
| President | |
| History | |
• Independence from the Cacertian Empire | 1922 |
• Establishment of the USR | 1950 |
| Currency | Manat |
The Shirvani Dominion (Shirvani: Şirvani hökmranlığı), was the state of Shirvaniya as it existed from 1922 to 1950, the majority spent under the rule of President Ceymur Agilli. The Dominion was founded by Agilli in 1922 following Shirvaniya's secession from the Cacertian Empire, which had united the two nations since 1875. Agilli ruled the nation as a de facto dictator, holding virtual unlimited power in the country and enacting policy both in domestic and foreign affairs.
Agilli had become a prominent leader in the Shirvani Rebellion against Cacertian rule, which gained renewed strength following the Empire's defeat in the Divide War. After a protracted struggle Cacerta withdrew from Shirvaniya and the country became independent, paving the way for Agilli to announce the formation of the Dominion with himself as President. He was declared President for Life in 1924 and ruled for the remainder of his life, ostensibly sharing power with the Dominion Council but in reality held largely unchecked power. Eager to assert the Dominion as a great power, Agilli embarked on a major modernization campaign intended to expand Shirvaniya's industrial base, economy, and infrastructure. In an effort to create a pan-Naran Dahyu nationalist identity he forcibly integrated the various ethnic communities of Shirvaniya, though in practice prioritized the promotion of ethnic Shirvani to positions of power. Under his rule the Dominion's economy and industrial might grew rapidly, but proceeded in an often haphazard fashion while resistance to his regime was brutally crushed.
Still harboring significant anti-Cacertian sentiment, Agilli maneuvered the Dominion into forming an alliance with Sasko Anastasov, president of the Republic of Syara, which shared mutual disdain for Cacerta. This culminated in the Dominion joining the Inner Sphere in 1928, a power bloc meant to challenge Cacertian influence over Siduri. Despite efforts to expand the Inner Sphere no other major powers joined, in no small part due to residual tensions between the Dominion and it's neighbors. In an agreement with the Syarans, the Dominion invaded Ruvelka in April 1934, starting the Siduri War. The sudden campaign of aggression resulted in the formation of the Common Axis to oppose further Inner Sphere expansionism. With war with the Common Axis seemingly inevitable, the Inner Sphere invaded Quenmin, Tennai, and Mansuriyyah in October 1934.
The ensuing struggle placed great demands on the Dominion, which despite Agilli's efforts was not prepared for the massive industrial conflict that the country was not fully prepared for. By 1936 the Inner Sphere's invasions had been largely repulsed, and growing discontent within the Dominion and its various ethnic groups broke out into insurrection. In 1937 the Common Axis invaded the Dominion itself, resulting in Agilli being disposed by a coup and the Dominion switching sides to join the Common Axis. Although it provided logistical support and let Common Axis forces utilize Shirvani soil as staging ground for the Liberation of Ruvelka, the Dominion's armed forces did not directly assist. Aigilli was found guilty of crimes against humanity and executed and the Dominion was subsequently occupied by the Common Axis powers. In 1950 the Dominion was officially dissolved and replaced with the United Shirvani Republic.