This kingdom was located in Somalia. This nation started in the 1300's and declined in the 1700's. It had an efficient government, strong economy, and taxation. They traded a lot with nations. They had a strong military. It was attacked by Oromia and Portugal. This was a hydraulic kingdom. It had several important cities. It had its own culture and was Islamic.
Imam-King
Emir-Captain of the navy and army
Na'ibs-Viceroys
Wazirs-Tax collectors
Qadis-Chief judges
Sharia law was the law of the land.
Economy
The economy was based on maritime trade. Ajuran was part of the silk trade and it minted its own currency.
'Ajuran exported animals and ivory to China. It imported greenware from China.
Ajuran exported gold, wax, and wood to India. It imported cloth and spices.
Ajuran exported cloth to the Jaffna Kingdom. It imported cinnamon.
Ajuran exported musk and sheep to the Maldives. It imported cowries.
Ajuran exported cloth and gold to the Malacca Sultanate. It imported porcelain and ambergris.
Ajuran exported textiles to the Ottoman Empire. It imported muskets and cannons.
Ajuran exported grain and wood to the Persian Empire. It imported textiles and fruit.
Ajuran exported cloth to Portugal. It imported gold.
Ajuran exported spices and cloth with Mutapa. It imported gold and Ivory.
Ajuran exported cloth to Gonderine Empire. It imported gold and cattle.'
Ajuran traded with Swahililand and other kingdoms well.
Taxation
Farmers crops were taxed and so was nomads cattle. Governors in coastal cities would bring the Imam foreign goods. Ajuran used its own currency for trade.
Military
Most of the soldiers in the military were Mamelukes. Mamelukes were Turkish slaves. Mercenaries from other nations were used as well. Ajuran imported guns from the Ottoman Empire.
Wars
Ajuran fought the Portuguese and was able to defeat them with the help of the Ottoman Empire. The Portuguese burned down a city in Ajuran. Then they were going to conquer Mogadishu. The Somalis were ready to engage the Portuguese in mortal combat at Mogadishu, so they sailed away. With the help of the Ottoman, Ajuran set some Swahili city-states free. A Portuguese fleet from India recaptured the cities.
The Oromo was expanding their kingdom on the heels of Ajuran. In response to this Ajuran attacked the Oromo and converted p.o.ws to Islam. The Oromo attacked other kingdoms after this. It caused great turmoil. One of those kingdoms they attacked is was Ethiopia.
Ajuran was the only East African nation at the time that controlled its own water source. They created limestone wells that are still in use today. They controlled Jubba and Shabelle rivers. Nomads had easy access to water for their cattle.
Prominent Cities
Mareeg-This city was founded in the 1600's. It was an outpost.
Kelafo-This city was the capital of Ajuran. It was founded in the 1300's.
Merca-This city was found over a millennium ago by the Bimaal clan.
Mogadishu-Arabs called it the land of the Berbers. It is the capital of Somalia.
Culture
Its culture was Somali. People studied astronomy and built castles. Istunka is a martial art that was created in Ajuran. Men were carvers and women weaved. Even nomads carved wood! Muslims from Spain, Arabia. India and Persia moved into Ajuran after the 1400's. Most people in Ajuran were Sunni Muslims. The Persians were the only Shia there.
This was a great kingdom!!! It had sweet culture and cities. It was hydraulic and had a nice economy. It had a strong military and wise government. It traded with a lot of other nations. Oh yeah, it fell off because of political disputes and rebels. I give kingdom an A+.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajuran_Sultanate
https://www.revolvy.com/topic/Ajuran%20Sultanate&item_type=topic
http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31991
Somalia Sultanates
https://operationoverload.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/the-ajuuraan-dynasty-of-the-hawiyya/
https://www.britannica.com/place/Somaliland#ref141174
http://orvillejenkins.com/peoples/tutsisandethiopia.html
More Ajuran
Somali Queen
Pics from Ajuran
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