Üch-Üch

Üch-Üch (Ulakisonian: Ӱч-Ӱч [yʧʰˈyʧʰ]; locally and commonly pronounced [iːʤɪʧ]) is a major city in northeastern Ulakisonia which serves as the capital of Üchazan Province, as well as its most populous city. It is located on the banks of the Tahulu River, and approximately twelve kilometers south of the Hommarı Province. As of 2023, the city has a population of 871,556, thus making it the seventh most populous city in the whole country. Üch-Üch is the modern-day incarnation of the ancient city of Üchazan, which was one of the capitals of the Nesionytan Empire. Üch-Üch is a major tourist destination due to its history and iconic landmarks.

Üchazan was founded in the 1st century BC, being one of the oldest cities in Ulakisonia. It was the center of the Kingdom of Üchazan, which was one of the several kingdoms in Nesionyta which formed into the Nesionytan Empire in 114 AD. The empire itself was first centered in Üchazan until its capital was moved to Bokarajat in the 6th century AD. As a result of several wars during the early period, Üchazan was destroyed multiple times, with the most ultimate destruction occurred in 910 AD. It was left abandoned in ruins until its eventual discovery and resettlement by British colonialists in 1895.

Üch-Üch was founded right beside the ruins of Üchazan in 1896 by migrants who were resettled by Britain in means of further developing the whole colony. The ruins were later reconstructed and converted into the Üchazan Park in 1910. It became one of the epicenters of anti-colonial sentiment. Nationalist newspaper Tane Maitarulgar began publishing in Üch-Üch in 1913, but was shut down two years later for fraudulent news reports against British colonial rule. Ultranationalists later took to the streets and beat police officers, kickstarting the Üch-Üch riots which lasted for two days on March 3-March 4, 1915. After Ulakisonia's independence from the United Kingdom in 1948, Üch-Üch was destroyed again as a result of the civil war and was not rebuilt until 1963. The city fell under the rule of North Ulakisonia, and eventually served as its capital until it was moved back to Sheze in 1968, and remained until its absorption into the Ulakisonian People's Republic in 1969.

Mass protests against President Masqareb Talbairat took place in the city after the 1981 Kolamaya bombings. This resulted in extreme surpession and subsequent curfrews in Üch-Üch which lasted for four nights. Over the years, Üch-Üch went through lots of political and social instabilities, many of which were plagued by the civil war and years of totalitarian rule. Today, the city grew into a metropolis, as a result of immediate mass development and economic liberalization. It is home to several nationally recognized companies, including Hariz-Bizhaptar, Roqashbän, and Zordän-Chitek Walter. Some of its most iconic landmarks include the Tiljepe Tri-Tower Complex, located in the city's central business district, Walter Square. The Üchazan Park is also one of the most well-known locations, with the Üch-Üch Museum of Archaeology and Ancient Culture located approximately two kilometers east.

Classical period
Üch-Üch primarily stands on the ancient city of Üchazan, most likely founded in 78 BC by Trabhijatugha, a Nutaderrami monk originally from Taikalash. According to a legend, Trabhijatugha fled from Taikalash after numerous riots in his hometown and traveled three hundred kilometers north. Villages in the site, which were dependent on the Tahulu, were merged to form the city after the villagers agreed to share power in order to boost cooperation with each other. The Kingdom of Üchazan was later founded in 70 BC, centered in the city of Üchazan itself. At the time, it heavily depended on rice farming and phosphate mining.

Üchazan later became an important trading hub to nearby merchants in the eastern half of the island. By 35 AD, due to immense immigration to the city as a result of trade and cooperation, Üchazan quickly became the most populous city in the whole island. It was mentioned in Bhulpajha's Manuscript written in 68 AD, describing it as "the most beautiful city in the world". Üchazan eventually became the capital of the Nesionytan Empire right after its establishment. Under the empire, Üchazan became an important pilgrimage site and a center of knowledge.

As of 224 AD, the city hosted a population of 400,000, which was about 35% of the entire island's population, and 21% of the population of the empire. Emperor Alkatharijamsha ordered the construction of a wall surrounding the city to prevent natural disasters through oceans and illegal immigration into the city. The whole wall took around ten years to build, being completed in 246 AD. It was heavily guarded by presumably the strongest soldiers in Üchazan. However, this did not hinder invasions from the Tiriakungo and Isandarual kingdoms during the 4th century AD. Üchazan was destroyed approximately five times during the whole century as a result of sieges, invasions, and rebellions against the empire.

Middle Ages and mass destruction
Üchazan remained the capital of the Nesionytan Empire until Rajaputra Sahavetikiltaram ultimately moved the capital to Bokarajat (now in Toalugi) in 552 AD. During the process, he ordered the demolition of the wall and one-third of the city, which mostly hosted mansions and amphitheaters. This led to a rebellion against the empire in the following year, which was heavily repressed, along with 113 people being executed for treason.

Although some parts were rebuilt, due to internal conflict, Üchazan was destroyed again in 593 AD. Historians suggest that this was due to land disputes among several tribes precursor to the modern-day Ulakisonian ethnicity and demand for power within the city. Hundreds of people have abandoned their homes and fled to nearby cities, especially along the eastern coast of the island. Üchazan was the site of a battle occurred in 831 AD against the Nesionytans and the Isandarualese, of which the latter attempted to invade due to its cultural significance. Much of the city was destroyed once again, to the point that it could no longer be rebuilt the way it was. As a result, many parts of Üchazan had to be rebuilt from scratch and with a fresh start.

Severe tsunamis, floods, and ethnic tension once again destroyed Üchazan completely in 910 AD. This time, a legend circulated that Üchazan was cursed and was made to be destroyed constantly. The entire population fled indefinitely to nearby areas away from the Tahulu, therefore leaving Üchazan abandoned in ruins. In 1088 AD, the Nesionytan Empire enacted a ban on settling in Üchazan due to superstitious reasons.

Rediscovery and resettlement by British Ulakisonia
For centuries, Üchazan was left totally abandoned and untouched even by foreign powers. The overlooked Üchazan when they colonized the island in 1823, and mostly focused on developing settlements and spreading its influence in the central and southwestern parts. In 1895, four years following the surrender of Russia and the cessation of its sole colony outside of Eurasia to the, ruins of Üchazan were discovered by colonial authorities and archaeologists. Several manuscripts written in the Nytan, Nesionytan, and languages confirm the existence of Üchazan and its cultural impact within the island. Many of these manuscripts and sculptures were later named the Üchazan Wonders.

Resettlement projects near the Üchazan ruins were initiated in February 1896, in hopes of developing British Ulakisonia further. Migrants from nearby villages and towns began settling in mid-1896, establishing a new settlement right next to the Üchazan ruins. The settlement was named Üch-Üch by some of the migrants, deriving it from the first syllable of Üchazan. By 1900, the new city's population reached 10,000, but was not given official city status until 1902. By that time, it was one of the fastest growing cities in the island.

In June 1903, several nearby villages were merged with Üch-Üch, therefore boosting its potential and development. To boost attention, many of the ruins were renovated and organized as the Üchazan Park in 1910, despite protests from conservative groups.

Demographics
Üch-Üch is a major city in Ulakisonia's Üchazan province. As of 2023, 871,556 people live in the city, compared to the city's whole metropolitan area, being home to 2,492,004 people. It is divided among 436,349 females and 435,207 males.

Languages
Ulakisonian is the main language of Üch-Üch, as well as the most spoken language. More than 80% of the people speak the language as a native tongue, with the remaining 10% speaking it as a secondary language. At home, the 10% speak a vast amount of languages, including Isandarualese, Hajorian, Gezirnusi, Sittapinian, and others. is a very common lingua franca in Üch-Üch, where it is used for several businesses and in upscale areas of the city.

Media
The original incarnation of Tane Maitarulgar was founded in 1913 as a rebellious newspaper campaigning against British colonial rule in Ulakisonia. It was popular among Ulakisonian ultranationalists who desperately demanded independence. Tane Maitarulgar often published fabricated news reports which were later revealed to be fake by experts, created in order to pursue the locals in Üch-Üch to rebel against Britain and fight for independence. British authorities shut the newspaper publisher down on March 1, 1915, angering nationalists who caused riots around the city. Tane Maitarulgar was opened right after the riots ended, on March 5, and is often considered to be the pioneer of mainstream media in Üch-Üch.

Today, alongside Tane Maitarulgar, around 27 registered newspapers are published in the city. Among them include the local editions of national newspapers such as Diha Ryzik, Sayat, and An Tygyratur, and several local newspapers. Popular magazines in Üch-Üch include Üchwatiq and Tabrayak Üchazan. Most of them are in Ulakisonian, although newspapers and magazines in English also exist. The most popular English-language magazine in Üch-Üch is ÜchLady, a fashion-oriented magazine targeted towards teenage and young adult women.

The radio and television market in Üch-Üch is the largest in northeast Ulakisonia. Some signals are also intended to beam outside of the city and throughout the Üchazan province. State-owned Ruteliulak has its regional headquarters in the Üchazan province in Bestrak, Üch-Üch, from where Ruteliulak Radio Diha operates its local Üchazan network dedicated to the entire province. Ulakisonian Television established its station in Üch-Üch in 1972, being the first time the city was exposed to television. It was one of the last major Ulakisonian cities where television was expanded to. Public access Üch-Üch Community Television Service was launched in 1975, which gained immense popularity among locals. It was also notable for being the first Ulakisonian television station to produce a television film in 1976 titled Alwaysat.