Zukaril

Zukaril, officially known as the City of Zukaril (Packilvanian: luShtar aZukaril) is the capital of Iganar. It has a population of approximately 10 million, which makes it the most populous city in Iganar and the 6th most populous urban area in Packilvania. Zukaril was first inhabited by hunter gatherers around 20,000 BCE. Pastoral nomadic herders inhabited the area starting around 8,000 BCE. In 4,000 BCE, the first sedentary agricultural settlements emerged. In 2,000 BCE, the Kingdom of Turhadek was established in the area but was destoryed 1,800 BCE. Around 1,500 BCE, the Sorceriate of Exkhanar was established but it fell in 1,100 BCE. In 750 BCE, it was taken over by the Kingdom of Yehudah, but it broke of as an independent nation known as the Queendom of Zukaril in 680 BCE but was left to ruin in 120 BCE. Circa 300 CE, the Kingdom of Bakil established an outpost, then fort in 410 CE. It became part of Packilvania in 650 CE, then part of the Holy Lands of Bakil in 1100 CE, then Packilvania again in 1290 CE to the present.

Zukaril luShtar aZukaril
City
City of Zukaril
Left to right: Ishak I Temple, the Zukaril Imperial Palace, skyline from the south bank of the Ufrata River
Motto(s):  "waluShtar amuLoheem" (Packilvanian) "We are the city of the Deity"
Kingdom of Turhadek	2000 BCE
Sorceriate of Exkhanar	1800 BCE
Principality of Zukaril	410 CE
Government
• Mayor	Prince Layhadee
Population
• Total	10,560,345
Demonym	Zukarilite
Time zone	UTC+4 (Central East Packilvanian Time)

History

The area comprising modern day Zukaril has been a site of gathering and hunting for hunter gatherers since at least 20,000 BCE, when cave paintings were discovered in the Manshaldim Underground Complex. The area has been one of the earliest site of pastoral nomads who first domesticated animals such as camels and cattle approximately 8,000 BCE. The first sign of a sedentary agricultural civilisation is attested to 4,000 BCE. The foundations of mud and thatch based structures were discovered beneath the ground in the Turhadek Metropolitan Railway Station that were carbon dated to that era.

The first known civilisation was the Kingdom of Turhadek, which is believed to have been established around 2,000 BCE by followers of the Prophet Besmali who wished to escape the persecution for the proliferation of his teachings about Paxism. As such, the area was the site of one of the oldest known temples of Paxism, which was destroyed and never rebuilt in 1,800 BCE, when the site was abandoned and the Kingdom was dissolved.

Permanent settlement reemerged around 1,500 BCE when the Sorceriate of Exnakhar was established. The Sorceriate was a polity formed by practitioners of an ancient faith adjacent to Paxism known as Murdinism that believed in the use of incantations and divination to elicit magic. Ruled by the Grand Sorcerer, it became a site of trade and many people came to seek potions and conjure spells against enemies.

The Sorceriate had conflicts with the Paxist Kingdoms of Akas Akil and Adrien but managed to last until 1,100 BCE when a fire destroyed the city and killed many of its inhabitants. The area was again abandoned and resettled by pioneers of the Kingdom of Yehudah around 750 BCE. Here, they established the first settlement to be known as Zukaril, which was named after the River Zukaril which originated from Lake Ankhir.

The city grew in size and status and attempted to break free from the control of Yehudah on 680 BCE, when Besnamiya Luhadeen declared independence from the patriarchal rule of Yehudah. The female-led rebellion succeeded and lasted as a quasi-matriarchal society until 120 BCE. It was a center of commerce and trade and its borders expanded eastward towards Akhastar. It benefited from the extensive trade with other civilisations and the abundance of fertile land and fresh water.

Around 120 BCE, a massive flood of the Ufrata River caused a landslide of the Nankhadir Mountains that destroyed the city. Some of the structures were buried under rock and sand and many of its inhabitants died. The area was left largely unonhabitant, frequented only by bandits and herders. The Kingdom of Bakil stretched their border to the city where they established an outpost around 300 CE. The outpost was first known as Anim Soludar and was manned by at least 400 soldiers who patrolled the border, catching pirates and fugitives and providing rest to weary travellers.

The area was, however known as Zukaril and in 410 CE, was once again formally referred to by that name. King Usman II of Bakil established a fortress known as Fort Usman the Great and built the Usman the Great Temple. Prophet Nansuwar claimed to have discovered a cloth of the Lord Kamidar Tobit, one of the disciples of Prophet Besmali, who it was believed came to him in a vision and said that the land must be purged of the sins of "witches and wanton women" (referring pejoratively to the previous polities that inhabited the area).

After weeks of fasting and prayer, known as the Great Cleansing of Zukaril, the area began to attract many migrants from Bakil who came in massive caravans and set up tent and began to establish farms and build homes. The area's population grew and it was a well established part of the Kingdom of Bakil such that when Iktan the Devout declared the formation of Packilvania, it was among the first cities to be part of it.

The city rebelled against Uhayed II for imposing a draft to fight a war against the Sorceriate of Akas Jumhur when the city was experiencing a plague. This gave the city autonomy and the Prince of Zukaril was able to rule without external interference starting with Prince Genahad who declared the rule of the Genahadite dynasty. Melkezedek the Great established the Magisterium of Paxism on 980 CE, which sent its representatives to the city to assert the religious authority of the High King over the city. Qasnam V of Zukaril refused and met the Magisterial Army in combat. He was killed in battle, his head taken to Zukaril as a trophy when it was buried in Dunaymid Square (which is also known today as the Square of Obedience).

The Magisterium took over the city and established a religious government where A Prince-Magister appointed by the High Magister of Northern Iganar would rule over the city. When the Iktanite dynasty fell, the Magisterium in Adrien retained control over Zukaril and became part of the Holy Lands of Bakil. The city was reintegrated into Packilvania around 1290 CE when the Zubraynite dynasty rose. The Magisterium was happy hand over political control of the city in returned for their renewed status over the entire nation.