Second Compact of Iskenderun (Principia Moderni IV Map Game)

The Second Compact of Iskenderun is an international compact that governs the usage of the trade routes passing through the Gurkani Sultanate and all trade occuring within the territories of the Sultanate. It encompasses a region that includes Syria, Iraq, Anatolia, Crimea, Persia, Caucasus, Crimea, and Khorasan.

The Compact effectively established two trade routes to facilitate trade, a Northern and Southern trade route. The Northern trade route, starts from Trabzon, a port city designated to act as the starting point for merchants from Central or Eastern Europe; leading eventually to the city of Herat. The original trade route then proceeds to split, one leading to Samarkand and onwards to China whilst the other leads to Kabul and onwards to India. The Southern trade starts from the city of Iskenderun and is essentially a route designated for nations with a Mediterranean coastline. Unlike the Northern trade route, this route primarily faciliatates trade with India as it eventually lead to the cities of Kandahar and Kalat.

Unlike the original Compact however, the Second Compact does not pertain only to European merchants. It simultaneously allows Indian merchants to utilize the Compact and effectively establish markets for Indian goods in Gurkani cities. It also allows merchants from India to practically purchase Gurkani merchandise as well as import goods from Europe, or the Mashriq.

In essence, this Compact essentially grants the Sultanate complete control over all trade between Asia and Europe, making the much-coveted connection a jewel for having made the Sultanate exceedingly wealthy and powerful, granting it an important standing in international politics.

Basis of Compact
For all countries to use and have full access to the trade routes:


 * The Gurkani Sultanate will provide protection of cargo passing through its territories
 * The Gurkani Sultanate will govern the commerce of the region, and the merchants passing through the Empire will pay 5% tariff on the goods being transported. These tariffs will be raised on particular checkpoints, primarily Iskenderun, Kerch, Trabzon, Gamrun, Kandahar, Kalat, Samarkand and Kabul to tax the goods entering the Sultanate, and those exiting it.
 * Nations are restricted from sending their merchants to utilize both routes unless allowed to do so directly by the Gurkani Sultanate. As such, if a nation was allowed to only use the Southern route, its merchants will be subjected to strict punishments if found in the Northern route.
 * Any attempt to smuggle goods into or out of the Gurkani Sultanate through any area not mentioned in the above checkpoints will result in the outright execution of those involved, and the possible expulsion of the nation involved in this act.
 * All nations agree not to join the opposing side in the event of a war involving the Gurkani Sultanate. Moreover, all nations agree to intervene if there is any attempt to blockade the ports of the Gurkani Sultanate.
 * Each individual nation is subject to their own agreement as part of the Compact as well in addition to the basic portion of the compact as said below.
 * Other signatories recognize the nations who sign this pact rights to use the trade route.
 * In order to use the trade route for military purposes the using nation must receive direct permission for each conflict from the Gurkani Sultanate.
 * The Sultanate will hold the right in perpetuity to restrict trade goods from nations that are not on good terms with them, preventing its merchants from entering the nation and using the trade routes.