Qomandar

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Old Khomâdar
. XOMANDAR.
Gate of Qomandar 1.png
Main gate to the former capital
Alternate nameShanawan
RegionFlag of Khomadar province.png Khomadar, Imperial State
TypeCity
Site notes
ConditionRuined

Qomandar (Koman:. XOMANDAR.), commonly known as De Khomâdar (lit: Old Khomâdar), to distinguish it from Khomadar, and historically known as Shanawan (lit: White city), was a medieval city and the first Ashar capital of the Great Horde until its relocation in 1315 to Shozasan. This settlement was located near the present-day city of Sasham along the ? valley in the Ashar Princely State, Komania. The city was built on the site of the former White Horde capital where some of the original structures still stand. The area in which the city was established lay on a former track for an important trade route connecting to the Melkanchuts Sea, however, as the Great Horde expanded eastwards a new placement for the capital was needed, culminating in its relocation in 1315 once the Yandar Peninsula was invaded.

Khomadar is noted for having served as an early blueprint for Asharid city planning, with its characteristic directional entrances and square-like urban layout, later developments in Asharid city planning are reflected in major cities such as Samadar, Damazar, Shozasan as well as Shahdar and other historical cities.

History

The city was officially founded shortly after Ashar's ascension to the throne in 1289, with the defeat of the White Horde, the settlement of Shanawan was chosen due to logistical and strategic reasons, as it had served as the capital of the Qomandi. Excavations at the site suggest that the settlement had been inhabited since at least the 2nd century, and may have served as a trade outpost by the Mamikian empire.

The former settlement became an increasingly important trade centre as the Sunrise Horde expanded in Northern Vaniu, with the migration of Kalkalis southwards and the creation of semi-nomadic states in former sedentary areas, the region had experienced an abrupt change of demographics, forcing trading routes to shift. Asharid accounts from the 13th century note that the settlement already comprised walled sections and a palace, which Ashar made use of as an early command centre before making it the capital. The city had a ceramic water-pipe and both metallurgy and pottery were also developed.

With the relocation of the capital in 1315, the city quickly fell into abandonment as its nobility and many of its inhabitants migrated towards Shozasan. Qomandar survived as a medium-sized settlement well into the 18th century, where it once again came under decadence as it became a point of friction between the Misharam Mizarate and the Shanvan Mizarate. By that time, most of its inhabitants were either farmers or merchants profiting off the trade in neighbouring Sasham.

With the unification of the Imperial State in 1811, plans for its revitalization started, however, the imperial government did not take action until the 1950s, with small-scale reconstructions. The settlement and its surroundings remained sparsely populated, and most of its inhabitants had to be relocated to make way for an archaeological complex, which has remained open ever since.

Archeological site

Partly restored cobblestone street in Qomandar.

Today, a substantial amount of buildings and workshops remain, all of which display an early style of Ashar architecture.

The archaeological site, spanning an impressive radius of approximately 15 km, encapsulates the majority of the former settlement. Visitors are invited to explore the labyrinth of ancient streets at their leisure, free of charge. However, to ensure the preservation of the site and enrich the visitor's experience with historical context, they are required to be escorted by a guide at all times.

A small-scale mock-up of the city, as it looked in the 14th century, is currently displayed at the entrance of the archaeological complex, where many tools and pottery fragments lay on display to visitors.

Place for pilgrimage

With the restoration of many buildings since the 1960s, it has been noted that the former capital has become an important pilgrimage site to Komasarists and Shawadiis alike, as the settlement is often portrayed as the birthplace of the Great Horde. Furthermore, many saints and martyrs of the Asharid era lay entombed in the former capital, making it an attractive destination to believers.