Raspurid general election, 1659

The first democratic elections of the Raspur Khanate, held on 01 Aban 1659. The electoral contest, determining which party or faction would gain control of the Durbar, had been delayed by factional infighting from the previous year and the election campaign leading up to the vote had displayed what some foreign observers had described as the characteristics of a small civil-war. The closely, and in some instances literally, fought election resulted in a narrow victory for the Grand Vizier's List, backed by modernisers and foreign investors, over the Suren List whose support derived the satraps and the religious establishment. One of the key issues in the election was whether to pursue a policy of trading or raiding towards Raspur's neighbours.

(WiP)