Khamarkhaide

Khamarkhaide (Ulakisonian: Хамархаіде [xamɐrˈxɐjde]) is a major city in central Ulakisonia, located in the northern portion of the Toalupiri Province. Khamarkhaide has a population of 753,134 as of 2023, making it the ninth most populous city in Ulakisonia, as well as the second most populated city in the Toalupiri province. It is one of the oldest cities in Ulakisonia, being established in the 2nd century AD. It is most famous for its cultural and historical significance, including the Mainmatrak Temple, one of the largest Nutaderrami temples in the world. Khamarkhaide is located approximately 183 kilometers (113.7 mi) southeast of Toalupiri.

Khamarkhaide was established in 227 AD by Nutaderrami merchants who sought a trading city in the center of the Ulakisonian island. It quickly became an important trading center in the Nesionytan Empire. Its economy boomed throughout centuries, as a result of massive trade and immigrants from nearby areas. It was often nicknamed the "city of gold" by many Nesionytan poets. It was eventually made the capital of the empire in 1032 AD, being moved from Bokarajat. A single road was also built stretching all the way from Khamarkhaide to Jandar in 1347.

It eventually became the capital of the Kingdom of Ulakharisu in 1549 after the fall of the Nesionytan Empire. Khamarkhaide was being heavily developed and flourished under king Edezarveraitu. He ordered the construction of a temple complex similar to, so the Mainmatrak Temple was being built for twenty-five years, completing in 1568. Khamarkhaide became the center of Russian Nesionyta and later British Ulakisonia during the late 19th century. The city was heavily devastated in the 1950s during the Ulakisonian civil war, especially due to the US bombing campaigns against Ulakisonia. It was eventually rebuilt in the 1960s.

Khamarkhaide is a technologically advanced city, housing numerous local technology and IT companies. It also hosts local offices of, , , , and others. It is also famous for the aforementioned Mainmatrak Temple, which attracts an average of two million tourists per year. It is served by the Khamarkhaide Metro, opened in 2010 as the second rapid transit system in the Toalupiri province after the Toalupiri Metro. It has also been ranked as the Ulakisonian city with the most attractive people, as numerous models have originated from the city, most notably Elaisha Tarkifuzhraye and Ahat Dominik Gordejeshgu.

Etymology
"Tafrak" was believed to be the original name of Khamarkhaide, but the earliest records of the name was in the 6th century AD. It was referred to by this name in many Nesionytan epics, such as Vaitraveludhra. The name most likely originated from the Ulakisonian word for 'ruby', as according to a legend, there were rubies underground discovered by a local resident in Khamarkhaide.

Khamarkhaide comes from two words in the Nesionytan language, khamor meaning "white" and khaydăk meaning horse. The area where the city was in was known for, which constituted for more than 75% of the horse population. Ordinary residents began commonly calling the city "Khamarkhaide" in reference to white horses in approximately the 10th century, and eventually became the official name by 1255.

Demographics
Khamarkhaide's population has been recorded since the British colonial era. As of 1910, the city had a population of 766,043, a bit more than what the 2023 census showed. It was the largest city in the Shayaq Province at the time, being followed by Loparga, Zampiqar, Aytarbaghshe, and Shayagrad.

By 1947, the city had an estimated population of 878,294. Its population had steadily declined as a result of the civil war in Ulakisonia, which greatly affected Khamarkhaide. After Ulakisonia reintroduced the census system in 1960, it was estimated that Khamarkhaide's population was 524,920. In 1991, the city saw a sharply slow growth compared to around twenty-one years ago. In the contemporary years, Khamarkhaide's population aligned with the censuses prior to the civil war.