Maliq
Maliq is a title granted to any of the ninety elected representatives serving in the Maliqate, one of the three pillars of Zaljan governance serving under the Khan.
The Maliqate is composed of landowners, typically those descended from great families that once bore long and glorious military histories. There are ninety members of the Maliqate (called maliqs), representing the nine prefectures of Zalja. Exactly how many maliqs are called from each prefecture differs, however, with the precise composition figured every ten years to reflect the relative populations of each prefecture.
Maliqs are elected every year, though it is extremely rare for a sitting maliq to be unseated by anyone. Most maliqs are only in danger of losing their position every ten years, when populations are refigured and attention again turns toward them, or when a new Khan is enthroned. They are elected by regional vote of landowners, where their own influence is greatest, meaning most maliqs serve for life.
The term "maliq" was long used as a military title for warlords who ruled over specific regions in Zalja. Eventually, these warlords would be separated from the administrative rulers of the regions, and begin to fade from influence. This would play a significant role in the creation of the Maliqate.
Requirements
A Maliq must be a landowning citizen of the Zaljan Prefecture they mean to represent. Practically speaking, this typically bars children and z'jai from holding office, though one or two exceptions have sprung up in history.
Appointment
A Maliq is elected once per year, over the course of one week, typically the second week of the year. All landowners are permitted to vote, but none are required.
Duties
The Maliqate is charged with the security of the Holy Qhaganate. They rule primarily on matters of defense, international policy, and public safety.
Responsibilities
Strictly speaking, the Maliqate is an advisory body. They vote on initiatives to present to the Khan, which the Khan may follow or disregard as desired. However, because the Maliqate as a whole represents a great amount of economic, military, and social power, it is unwise to ignore initiatives that enjoy significant support. Of course, most of the time, the Maliqate and the Khan hold similar views on governance.
Benefits
In addition to the honor of the title, and the ability to influence policy, Maliqs are granted a humble stipend (humble by landowning standards) and given secondary housing in the capital, in one of the Ninety Palaces, a rather grandiose term for manses that, while very impressive, do not quite qualify for the term "palace."
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
Any landowner may call for the removal of a Maliq at any time, so long as twenty other landowners agree to support the claim. A vote will be called, being decided by bare majority. However, since Maliqs are reelected every year, even unpopular ones typically serve to the end of their term.
History
The Maliqate was first formed about a decade after the creation of the Four Great Satari Kingdoms. Military families, seeing their influence wane, presented their demands to the Khan, Ibriss Ra Siveel. Having been well served by her army in the past, she had no great cause to defy their claims.
Type
Civic, Political
Form of Address
Mal
Source of Authority
Landowners of their home Prefecture
Length of Term
By annual election, up to lifetime service
Related Organizations