The late 19th century marked the high water mark of European Dominance in the world. European arms took control of 2/3rds of the world. Africa in particular for the first time was carved up by the then world powers. The effects of this period are still with us today over a hundred years later. "The Invasion of the Land of Peace" allows you to relive one of those incursions and hopefully with help you better understand the djinni our ancestors unleashed when they took on "the white man's burden."
Dar al Salaam - the Land of Peace - is a mythical North African state. It is loosely based on Egypt, with shades of Morocco, Iraq, India and H Rider Haggard thrown in. It sits astride one of the routes to India that dominate British strategic thinking. It is nominally part of the Ottoman Empire but it has been effectively independent for fifty years. So the Salaamites are on their own. Unfortunate for them really since this year Great Britain has decided they can no longer be trusted. Invasion is imminent.
When you play "The Invasion of the Land of Peace" you will get to figure out how to take over a small Islamic state. Or you get to try to figure out how to defend a medieval state from an industrial power. Both tasks are difficult but the game does not end their. Once the soldiers are through the missionaries, miners and merchants follow. As well as the archeologists, anthropologists and general do gooders. Imperialism doesn't come from the point of a gun but from economic and cultural domination. This game lets you explored both.
It is my hope that this game will increase your understanding of Islam, Arabs and the Middle East. At the same time I hope you find it a rollicking good time!
DAR AL SALAAM
Dar al Salaam is a province of the Ottoman Empire. It is ruled by a "Bey" and an "Aga" who commands the military. Salaam is populated mainly by Arabs but its ruling class consist of Turks, Albanians and Caucasians who once serviced as "Mamlukes" - slave soldiers who fought from horseback like Mongols. The Arabs are relegated to the "Fellahin" - landless peasant farmers, "Bedouin" - nomadic goat herders, and craftsmen classes. The majority of the Arabs and all of the rulers are Muslim. They are lead my the "Mufti" - a learned religious judge - who runs the "Mosque" - an Islamic house of prayer - of the capital city.
The poorer Arabs are lead by "Sheiks" - a spiritual teacher/judge/tribal leader – who usually come from the richest family in the tribe. There is also a minority of Christian Arabs and Sephardic Jews who pay a special tax for the free use of their religion. The economy is based on agriculture from farms on the Shat al Arab river that flows from the distant south. The towns produce hand crafts, Bedouins produce cloth, gold is mined far up river and slaves are captures from beyond there. In short Salaam is ripe for conquest.
THE SOCIAL ORDER
Bey: Powerful
Mufti: Important
Aga: Respected
Townsmen: Weak
Peasant: Powerless
Nomad: Wretched
Land Owners: Wealthy
Caravan/Ship Owners: Well off
Craft Guilds: Respectable
All Others: Impoverished
More Dar as Salaam
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© Copyright 1999 by Chris Engle.
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