The rumors were true, geyhatu returned & I am quite positive that they are going to show tabriz or his palace in the next episode. this week is going to be very long
Hello,
I'm planning on visiting Tabriz in the next two weeks. My plan is to drive from Turkey (Doğubayazıt) to Tabriz in my car.
Is there a website like Airbnb to find a place to stay?
I was told Whatsapp, Telegram etc. don't work in Iran and I have to use a VPN. How do they work?
Can I bring US Dollars with me to spend? Or Turkish Liras? Or Euros?
Will roads from Doğubayazıt to Tabriz be covered with snow?
2 NOVEMBER 1501
The Battles of Tabriz had been miraculous victories achieved in spite of overwhelming odds. Through careful cooperation with the Young Lion's soldiers, the Armenian levies consisting mostly of peasants managed to hold against countless Turcoman cavalry charges.
There were a few things to which this victory could be attributed, the foremost of which was the grit and determination of the Armenian soldiery. In spite of being mere peasants, they had broken the horde against a wall of Armenian pikes.
However, it was not only these traditional tactics which had assured Armenian victory. While the mass tactics of peasants with pikes were effective, the unsung hero (especially of the first battle) had been the Armenian arquebusiers, guarding the encampment and picking off enemy soldiers from afar. War was changing, and developments in ranged combat meant that infantry could now go toe-to-toe with cavalry.
Harun of Shusha had only recently returned from his journey to Naples, and had been floored by the sheer professionalism and deadliness of Italian and Swiss mercenaries, particularly hardened veterans of the Italian Wars. The Italians and Swiss often fought in similarly mountainous terrain, and utilized a technique known as "pike and shot". This and other variants on the traditional pike square formation allowed one to whittle down the enemy force with arrows and arquebus fire before engaging the enemy infantry directly, and it was ruthlessly effective when on the defensive.
Of course, pike squares and arquebus formations were not as effective on the offensive. To pursue the Turkic forces, Armenia would need to deploy light cavalry of its own. Furthermore, arquebuses, cavaliers and crossbows all required some form of special training. Levies simply did not have the required professionalism.
Fortunately, Armenia had the perfect solution to this. There was already a proven core of veterans from the First White Sheep War. They were mentally tough, many of them had already been promoted to knighthood, and there were thousands more whose mettle had been tested against the Turcomans already. Harun had recently returned from Italy, and unlike Armenia, most of the soldiers there were professionals: either mercenaries or volunteers. Perhaps the mightiest of all armies were the Ottoman Jannisaries, and although there was great risk in trying to conscript unwilling heathens to fight their own countrymen, perhaps they could be convinced some other way..
... keep reading on reddit ➡A lull had taken the Middle East over the winter, as all readied for the resumption of hostilities, centred around the realm of the Farsi Aq Qoyunlu.
When the spring arrived, the sounds of war resumed.
The Conquest of Former Armenia (March 1501 – May 1501)
After taking the ancient capital of Yerevan, the Prince of Khachen dedicated a portion of his forces to conquer the provinces to the northern border of Fars. Utilising their support from the Georgian Kings, the supply route they have worked over the winter to establish, and an ever-growing network, this conquest – while lengthy – happened without issue. The contingent that did it would not come in time for whatever clash happened in the south however.
March to Tabriz (March 1501 – April 1501)
Everyone had their sites on Tabriz. This city, the heart of Persia at this point, is a bustling metropolis and a seat of power and legitimacy for whomever can take it. Naturally, Ismail, fresh off his conquest of the Shirvani, whom he gracefully spared, mustered his forces and marched south. Using the news of this march, the Prince of Khachen is able to rally the other Armenian princes to send six hundred mercenary cavalries to bolster his forces. The coordination with the Armenians, despite their network, wasn’t the best however, and while they arrived nearly at the same time, they would arrive before the arrival of Qasem’s armies, meaning that they would have to face off against Alwand of the Farsi White Sheep first to the east of Tabriz.
The Battle of Kondroud (Early April 1501)
The speed of the Ismaili-Armenian force surprised Alwand, as they barged through the northern pass of the Quru river valley and assumed a strong position on the hills to the east of Tabriz near the small village of Konroud. The Armenian sappers creating a strong defensive location for their arquebusiers at the foot of the hill, who had been tasked to protect the artillery and allied encampment.
Overlooking the valley, to the north of Tabriz, lies the Eynali range, infamous for its dark red soil, as though blood and sand had merged together. A portent of things to come.
Alwand arrayed his forces opposite that of the invaders, his infantry line spread thin, while the core of his army –
... keep reading on reddit ➡
Rule 1
How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame welled inside us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.
Rule 2
The path to the Truth is a labour of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs with your heart. Knowing your ego will lead you to the knowledge of God.
Rule 3
You can study God through everything and everyone in the universe because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or church. But if you are still in need of knowing where exactly His abode is, there is only one place to look for him: in the heart of a true lover.
Rule 4
Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy', whereas love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.
Rule 5
Most problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of love, language, as we know it becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.
Rule 6
Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually, it is best to find a person who will be your mirror. Remember only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.
Rule 7
Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighbourhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful! It is easy to be thankful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful not only for what he has been given but also for all that he has been denied.
Rule 8
Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to look at the end of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be shortsighted
... keep reading on reddit ➡
Rule 1
How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame welled inside us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.
Rule 2
The path to the Truth is a labour of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs with your heart. Knowing your ego will lead you to the knowledge of God.
Rule 3
You can study God through everything and everyone in the universe because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or church. But if you are still in need of knowing where exactly His abode is, there is only one place to look for him: in the heart of a true lover.
Rule 4
Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy', whereas love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.
Rule 5
Most problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of love, language, as we know it becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.
Rule 6
Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually, it is best to find a person who will be your mirror. Remember only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.
Rule 7
Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighbourhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful! It is easy to be thankful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful not only for what he has been given but also for all that he has been denied.
Rule 8
Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to look at the end of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be shortsighted
... keep reading on reddit ➡Rule 1
How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame welled inside us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.
Rule 2
The path to the Truth is a labour of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet, challenge and ultimately prevail over your nafs with your heart. Knowing your ego will lead you to the knowledge of God.
Rule 3
You can study God through everything and everyone in the universe because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or church. But if you are still in need of knowing where exactly His abode is, there is only one place to look for him: in the heart of a true lover.
Rule 4
Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, ‘Beware too much ecstasy', whereas love says, ‘Oh, never mind! Take the plunge!’ Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasures.
Rule 5
Most problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of love, language, as we know it becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.
Rule 6
Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually, it is best to find a person who will be your mirror. Remember only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.
Rule 7
Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the neighbourhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful! It is easy to be thankful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful not only for what he has been given but also for all that he has been denied.
Rule 8
Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to look at the end of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be shortsighted
... keep reading on reddit ➡
