Explore the real-world places that appear in The Empire of Gold by S. A. Chakraborty. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include Daevabad, Cairo, Ta Ntry, Daevastana, Zariaspa and 5 more.
Hidden brass city of the djinn
Daevabad is the center of the conflict between Daeva, Geziri, Ayaanle and Shafit. Nahri, Ali, Dara, Muntadhir, Zaynab and Jamshid all struggle over its throne. The finale culminates in a fight for the city's future, the fate of the Nahids and the end of the Marid threat.
The Giza plateau is home to the Great Pyramids, built over 4,500 years ago as royal tombs for Old Kingdom pharaohs. Its desert has long been tied to legends of hidden cities and treasures.
Giza is a busy suburb of Cairo whose desert edge hosts the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. It is one of the world's most visited archaeological areas.
Nahri's human home city
Cairo is where Nahri's story begins and where she and her allies sometimes return as a refuge. Its markets and streets show the human side of her life and the world she left behind.
Cairo was founded in 969 CE by the Fatimid dynasty and grew into one of the Islamic world's great centers of scholarship and trade. It has long been a crossroads of North Africa and the Middle East.
Cairo is Egypt's capital and a metropolis of over 20 million people. Visitors explore Islamic Cairo, Khan el-Khalili and the Egyptian Museum.
Ayaanle homeland across the sea
Ta Ntry is the Ayaanle homeland and a source of Ali's maternal family ties. The tribe's wealth, scholarship and alliances shape the political choices of the finale.
The Horn of Africa has been a hub of Indian Ocean trade for thousands of years, linking Africa, Arabia and India. Port cities like Mogadishu were prosperous medieval trading centers.
Mogadishu is Somalia's capital and largest city, rebuilding after decades of conflict. Its coastline and historic districts reflect centuries of trade.
Ancient Daeva homeland
Daevastana is the Daeva homeland and the source of Dara's and the Nahids' heritage. Characters such as Dara, Jamshid and Manizheh are tied to its history, and its legacy motivates the Daeva's loyalty and grief.
Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Darius I around 518 BCE. It was burned by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE.
Persepolis is a UNESCO World Heritage ruin near Shiraz, Iran. Visitors see its great stone terraces, reliefs and gates.
Daeva stronghold of the north
Zariaspa is a Daeva city tied to Nahid history and to the northern lands. It serves as a significant place in the political geography of the Daeva people.
Bactra, near modern Balkh, was a major city of Bactria and a center of Zoroastrian tradition. It later became a Silk Road hub.
Balkh is a small city in northern Afghanistan with remains of ancient walls and the Green Mosque. Archaeological work continues in the area.
Geziri desert homeland
Am Gezira is the homeland of the Geziri, the royal tribe of Daevabad. Ali, Muntadhir and Zaynab's family ties and the Qahtani dynasty connect to its desert culture.
Riyadh grew from the ancient oasis settlement of Hajr and became the Saudi capital in the 20th century. The Arabian Peninsula has long been home to nomadic and trading tribes.
Riyadh is a modern megacity with historic sites such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress. It is Saudi Arabia's political and economic center.
Mountain realm of Central Asia
Tukharistan appears as a northern realm linked to the Daeva's history. Its mountains and distance make it a place of refuge and political maneuvering.
Tokharistan was a medieval region on the Silk Road with Buddhist and Persian influences. It was absorbed by Arab, Turkic and Mongol conquests.
The area is now split among Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, is a modern city near ancient sites.
Waters of the river spirits
The Marid shape the finale through their power over water and their ancient grudge. Ali's connection to them and the fate of Daevabad's lake are central to the final conflict.
The Persian Gulf has been a maritime trade route for millennia, linking Mesopotamia, Persia, Arabia and India. Its pearl diving and port cities were historically important.
The Gulf is bordered by Iran and the Arab states and remains a vital shipping lane. Its coastal cities include Dubai, Doha and Bandar Abbas.
Lifeblood of Daevabad
The Gozan River flows by Daevabad and carries the city's trade, rituals and conflict. It is linked to the Marid and to the danger of magical floods.
The Nile has been Egypt's lifeline for 5,000 years, supporting agriculture, trade and ancient religion. Its annual floods shaped civilization.
The Nile is still central to Egypt's economy and daily life. Cruises, felucca rides and riverside parks draw visitors.
Ayaanle ports and trade
The Ayaanle's ships and ports are crucial for trade and travel in the series. Their sea routes enable alliances and escape in the finale.
Djibouti sits on the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, a strategic route between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. It has been a trading hub for centuries.
Djibouti is a port city with international shipping and nearby salt lakes. It hosts military bases and trade facilities.
More by S. A. Chakraborty: The Tapestry of Fate locations map · The Daevabad Trilogy locations map · All S. A. Chakraborty books