Aryasht

Empire of Aryasht

Official language	English, Modern Ari (Hindi-Urdu), Classical Ari (Sanskrit)
Capital	Mahapur
Largest cities	Aryapur
Website	none
Forum	http://bastionunion.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=776
Number of citizens	5
Number of active citizens	4
Date founded	August 10, 2000
Government	Absolute Monarchy constrained by Tradition and Dharma
Current leader	Prince of Aryasht
Currency	Erb
National animal	Elephant
National fruit/food	Mango
National drink	Chai Tea (also Arrack & Bhang Lassi)
Map versions	3.5.0-Present

Aryasht was a micronation and civilization that is the direct heir of the legacy the ancient Aryashti civilization, founded as Aryez on March 21, 2000.

Etymology and Terminology

Aryasht is a simplification of a compound derived from the two Classical Ari words Arya (आर्य) and Rashtra (राष्ट्र), meaning noble and nation respectively. Aryasht thus means "noble nation." This name is still officially used in traditional and classical proclamations and writings; however, in day to day business, administration, and usage, Aryasht it used. Aryasht is the de jure official name of the country.

Aryasht is closely associated with Aryez and thus is some confusion regarding the usage and differences between these two names. Aryez and Aryasht are synonymous, with Aryasht being an endonym and Aryez being an exonym. Etymologically, both names derive from the same root. Historically, Aryasht has been known to the outside world as Aryez though internally, it was always Aryasht. However, for the ease of communication and historical reasons, Aryasht continued to present itself as Aryez to the external world. This, however, changed when rulers of Aryasht decided to emphasize the South/West/Southeast/Central Asian (the four regions Aryasht sees itself as representing in the Micronational hobby) features of the nation and be meticulous about the correct naming and pronunciation of things.

Culture

Aryasht borrows heavily from the culture(s) of the Indian Subcontinent. In addition to following stylistic patterns found in India, such as art and architecture, Aryasht also utilizes the Hindu and Buddhist religions as the basis for its own. Some areas, such as Rulak, have their own distinct culture inherent to that region; but these are minorities in comparison to the dominant mainland culture.

The predominant cultures of Aryasht derive from South Asian cultures. However, this is like saying that a country is inspired by Europe. What region and what period? Even in that small peninsula, there is so much to chose from. There are currently two main subcultures in Aryashti culture, one deriving from the Imperial North Indian culture and the other from traditional South India culture. Imperial North Indian culture, though founded on a Hindu basis is heavily overlaid with Persian-Islamic influences. Traditional South India culture is more homogeneous.

The idea of Aryasht it to provide a homeland and sphere for all types of cultures influenced or interacting with Greater India throughout history, especially of surrounding regions. Thus, West Asia (the Middle East), Central Asia (including Tibet), and Southeast Asia are within the sphere of Aryasht's cultural influences. Layered on top of all this are European influences that shaped the land during colonial times. The strongest European influences are British, French, Iberian, and Russian. Due to the founder's own personal interests, some elements of German and Japanese culture have also found their way into Aryasht. Religiously, the main influences are the religions of these areas: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam (especially Shi'a Islam since the primary West Asian influence is Persian), Zoroastrianism, Tengriism, Sikhism, Jainism, Eastern Christianity and so on. The Aryashti religious tradition at the present is particularly inspired by Din Ilahi, a syncretic faith established in India by the Emperor Akbar as a way of combining Hinduism, Islam, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

Aryasht also contains some regions whose cultures have originated in a more East Asian or European cultural setting. These areas preserve their culture with some middle Eurasian (a general term I coined for the regions at hand since they are between the far west and far east of the Eurasian landmass) influences but are not considered the primary sources for Aryashti culture.

Geography

Aryasht occupies a swath of the mainland continent of Apollonia, located near the equator of Micras. In addition, it controls a string of islands along the coast, known collectively as the Dyre Islands. Much of Aryasht is under occupation by the barbarian hordes of Jingdao.

Dyre Islands

The Dyre Islands are a collection of islands along the coast of Apollonia that have a long and varied history that has resulted in a culture that is presently very diverse. The chain of islands are, from west to east, the Eblis Archipelago, Rulak, Ziba, Portghal, Dara, Green Island, Shotor, Herrinova, Umoja, and Karamasi. The island of Ashk Darya to the far northeastern end of the chain used to be included but was traded to Kildare in exchange for the southern half of Norfolk.

Montauk

Montauk was a colony established on New Long Island off the southern coast of Apollonia. It was originally established as an appendage to the Technocracy of Universalis but was later transferred to Interland and then to Antica, wherein in became a part of Aryasht. The island is densely populated and highly urbanized.

Relevant External Links

• Aryashti forums within Shireroth