title: Clergy

text: Clerical celibacy is a requirement for almost all clergy in the predominant Latin Church, with the exception of deacons who do not intend to become priests. Exceptions are sometimes admitted for ordination to transitional diaconate and priesthood on a case-by-case basis for married clergymen of other churches or communities who become Catholics, but consecration of already married men as bishops is excluded in both the Latin and Eastern Catholic Churches (see personal ordinariate). Clerical marriage is not allowed and therefore, if those for whom in some particular Church celibacy is optional (such as permanent deacons in the Latin Church) wish to marry, they must do so before ordination. Eastern Catholic Churches while allowing married men to be ordained, do not allow clerical marriage after ordination: their parish priests are often married, but must marry before being ordained to the priesthood. Eastern Catholic Churches require celibacy only for bishops.


title: Clergy

text: The Eastern Orthodox Church has three ranks of holy orders: bishop, priest, and deacon. These are the same offices identified in the New Testament and found in the Early Church, as testified by the writings of the Holy Fathers. Each of these ranks is ordained through the Sacred Mystery (sacrament) of the laying on of hands (called "cheirotonia") by bishops. Priests and deacons are ordained by their own diocesan bishop, while bishops are consecrated through the laying on of hands of at least three other bishops.


title: Clergy

text: Within each of these three ranks there are found a number of titles. Bishops may have the title of archbishop, metropolitan, and patriarch, all of which are considered honorifics. Among the Orthodox, all bishops are considered equal, though an individual may have a place of higher or lower honor, and each has his place within the order of precedence. Priests (also called presbyters) may (or may not) have the title of archpriest, protopresbyter (also called "protopriest", or "protopope"), hieromonk (a monk who has been ordained to the priesthood) archimandrite (a senior hieromonk) and hegumen (abbot). Deacons may have the title of hierodeacon (a monk who has been ordained to the deaconate), archdeacon or protodeacon.


title: Clergy

text: The lower clergy are not ordained through "cheirotonia" (laying on of hands) but through a blessing known as "cheirothesia" (setting-aside). These clerical ranks are subdeacon, reader and altar server (also known as taper-bearer). Some churches have a separate service for the blessing of a cantor.


title: Clergy

text: Ordination of a bishop, priest, deacon or subdeacon must be conferred during the Divine Liturgy (Eucharist)—though in some churches it is permitted to ordain up through deacon during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts—and no more than a single individual can be ordained to the same rank in any one service. Numerous members of the lower clergy may be ordained at the same service, and their blessing usually takes place during the Little Hours prior to Liturgy, or may take place as a separate service. The blessing of readers and taper-bearers is usually combined into a single service. Subdeacons are ordained during the Little Hours, but the ceremonies surrounding his blessing continue through the Divine Liturgy, specifically during the Great Entrance.


title: Clergy

text: Bishops are usually drawn from the ranks of the archimandrites, and are required to be celibate; however, a non-monastic priest may be ordained to the episcopate if he no longer lives with his wife (following Canon XII of the Quinisext Council of Trullo) In contemporary usage such a non-monastic priest is usually tonsured to the monastic state, and then elevated to archimandrite, at some point prior to his consecration to the episcopacy. Although not a formal or canonical prerequisite, at present bishops are often required to have earned a university degree, typically but not necessarily in theology.


title: Clergy

text: Usual titles are "Your Holiness" for a patriarch (with "Your All-Holiness" reserved for the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople), "Your Beatitude" for an archbishop/metropolitan overseeing an autocephalous Church, "Your Eminence" for an archbishop/metropolitan generally, "Master" or "Your Grace" for a bishop and "Father" for priests, deacons and monks, although there are variations between the various Orthodox Churches. For instance, in Churches associated with the Greek tradition, while the Ecumenical Patriarch is addressed as "Your All-Holiness," all other Patriarchs (and archbishops/metropolitans who oversee autocephalous Churches) are addressed as "Your Beatitude."


title: Clergy

text: Orthodox priests, deacons, and subdeacons must be either married or celibate (preferably monastic) prior to ordination, but may not marry after ordination. "Re"marriage of clergy following divorce or widowhood is forbidden. Married clergy are considered as best-suited to staff parishes, as a priest with a family is thought better qualified to counsel his flock. It has been common practice in the Russian tradition for unmarried, non-monastic clergy to occupy academic posts.


title: Clergy

text: In the Methodist Churches, candidates for ordination are "licensed" to the ministry for a period of time (typically one to three years) prior to being ordained. This period typically is spent performing the duties of ministry under the guidance, supervision, and evaluation of a more senior, ordained minister. In some denominations, however, licensure is a permanent, rather than a transitional state for ministers assigned to certain specialized ministries, such as music ministry or youth ministry.


title: Clergy

text: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) has no dedicated clergy, and is governed instead by a system of lay priesthood leaders. Locally, unpaid and part-time priesthood holders lead the church; the worldwide church is supervised by full-time general authorities, some of whom receive modest living allowances. No formal theological training is required for any position. All leaders in the church are called by revelation and the laying on of hands by one who holds authority. Jesus Christ stands at the head of the church and leads the church through revelation given to the President of the Church, the First Presidency, and Twelve Apostles, all of whom are recognized as prophets, seers, and revelators and have lifetime tenure. Below these men in the hierarchy are quorums of seventy, which are assigned geographically over the areas of the church. Locally, the church is divided into stakes; each stake has a president, who is assisted by two counselors and a high council. The stake is made up of several individual congregations, which are called "wards" or "branches." Wards are led by a bishop and his counselors and branches by a president and his counselors. Local leaders serve in their positions until released by their supervising authorities.


title: Clergy

text: Generally, all worthy males age 12 and above receive the priesthood. Youth age 12 to 18 are ordained to the Aaronic priesthood as deacons, teachers, or priests, which authorizes them to perform certain ordinances and sacraments. Adult males are ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood, as elders, seventies, high priests, or patriarchs in that priesthood, which is concerned with spiritual leadership of the church. Although the term "clergy" is not typically used in the LDS Church, it would most appropriately apply to local bishops and stake presidents. Merely holding an office in the priesthood does not imply authority over other church members or agency to act on behalf of the entire church.


title: Clergy

text: There is only one order of clergy in the Lutheran church, namely the office of pastor. This is stated in the Augsburg Confession, article 14. Howeverer, for practical and historical reasons, many Lutheran churches have different roles of pastors. Some pastors are functioning as deacons, others as parish priests and yet some as bishops and even archbishops. Lutherans have no principal aversion against having a pope as the leading bishop. But the Roman Catholic view of the papacy is considered antichristian.


title: Clergy

text: The Book of Concord, a compendium of doctrine for the Lutheran Churches allows ordination to be called a sacrament.


title: Clergy

text: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ordains two types of presbyters or elders, teaching (pastor) and ruling (leaders of the congregation which form a council with the pastors). Teaching elders are seminary trained and ordained as a presbyter and set aside on behalf of the whole denomination to the ministry of Word and Sacrament. Ordinarily, teaching elders are installed by a presbytery as pastor of a congregation. Ruling elders, after receiving training, may be commissioned by a presbytery to serve as a pastor of a congregation, as well as preach and administer sacraments.


title: Clergy

text: In Congregationalist Churches, local churches are free to hire (and often ordain) their own clergy, although the parent denominations typically maintain lists of suitable candidates seeking appointment to local church ministries and encourage local churches to consider these individuals when filling available positions.


title: Clergy

text: Islam, like Judaism, has no clergy in the sacerdotal sense; there is no institution resembling the Christian priesthood. Islamic religious leaders do not "serve as intermediaries between mankind and God", have "process of ordination", nor "sacramental functions". They have been said to resemble more rabbis, serving as "exemplars, teachers, judges, and community leaders," providing religious rules to the pious on "even the most minor and private" matters.


title: Clergy

text: The title "mullah" (a Persian variation of the Arabic "maula", "master"), commonly translated "cleric" in the West and thought to be analogous to "priest" or "rabbi", is a title of address for any educated or respected figure, not even necessarily (though frequently) religious. The title "sheikh" ("elder") is used similarly.


title: Clergy

text: Most of the religious titles associated with Islam are scholastic or academic in nature: they recognize the holder's exemplary knowledge of the theory and practice of "ad-dín" (religion), and do not confer any particular spiritual or sacerdotal authority. The most general such title is "`alim" (pl. "`ulamah"), or "scholar". This word describes someone engaged in advanced study of the traditional Islamic sciences "(`ulum)" at an Islamic university or "madrasah jami`ah". A scholar's opinions may be valuable to others because of his/her knowledge in religious matters; but such opinions should not generally be considered binding, infallible, or absolute, as the individual Muslim is directly responsible to God for his or her own religious beliefs and practice.


title: Clergy

text: There is no sacerdotal office corresponding to the Christian priest or Jewish "kohen", as there is no sacrificial rite of atonement comparable to the Eucharist or the Korban. Ritual slaughter or "dhabihah", including the "qurban" at "`Idu l-Ad'ha," may be performed by any adult Muslim who is physically able and properly trained. Professional butchers may be employed, but they are not necessary; in the case of the "qurban", it is especially preferable to slaughter one's own animal if possible.


title: Clergy

text: The nearest analogue among Sunni Muslims to the parish priest or pastor, or to the "pulpit rabbi" of a synagogue, is called the "imam khatib." This compound title is merely a common combination of two elementary offices: leader "(imam)" of the congregational prayer, which in most mosques is performed at the times of all daily prayers; and preacher "(khatib)" of the sermon or "khutba" of the obligatory congregational prayer at midday every Friday. Although either duty can be performed by anyone who is regarded as qualified by the congregation, at most well-established mosques "imam khatib" is a permanent part-time or full-time position. He may be elected by the local community, or appointed by an outside authority – e.g., the national government, or the waqf that sustains the mosque. There is no ordination as such; the only requirement for appointment as an "imam khatib" is recognition as someone of sufficient learning and virtue to perform both duties on a regular basis, and to instruct the congregation in the basics of Islam.


title: Clergy

text: The title "hafiz" (lit. "preserver") is awarded to one who has memorized the entire Qur'an, often by attending a special course for the purpose; the "imam khatib" of a mosque is frequently (though not always) a "hafiz."


title: Clergy

text: There are several specialist offices pertaining to the study and administration of Islamic law or "shari`ah." A scholar with a specialty in "fiqh" or jurisprudence is known as a "faqih". A "qadi" is a judge in an Islamic court. A "mufti" is a scholar who has completed an advanced course of study which qualifies him to issue judicial opinions or "fatawah".


title: Clergy

text: In modern Shia Islam, scholars play a more prominent role in the daily lives of Muslims than in Sunni Islam; and there is a hierarchy of higher titles of scholastic authority, such as "Ayatollah". Since around the mid-19th century, a more complex title has been used in Twelver Shi`ism, namely "marjaʿ at-taqlid". "Marjaʿ" (pl. "marajiʿ") means "source", and "taqlid" refers to religious emulation or imitation. Lay Shi`ah must identify a specific "marjaʿ" whom they emulate, according to his legal opinions "(fatawah)" or other writings. On several occasions, the "Marjaʿiyyat" (community of all "marajiʿ") has been limited to a single individual, in which case his rulings have been applicable to all those living in the Twelver Shi'ah world. Of broader importance has been the role of the "mujtahid", a cleric of superior knowledge who has the authority to perform "ijtihad" (independent judgment). Mujtahids are few in number, but it is from their ranks that the "marajiʿ at-taqlid" are drawn.


title: Clergy

text: The spiritual guidance function known in many Christian denominations as "pastoral care" is fulfilled for many Muslims by a "murshid" ("guide"), a master of the spiritual sciences and disciplines known as "tasawuf" or Sufism. Sufi guides are commonly styled "Shaikh" in both speaking and writing; in North Africa they are sometimes called "marabouts". They are traditionally appointed by their predecessors, in an unbroken teaching lineage reaching back to Muhammad. (The lineal succession of guides bears a superficial similarity to Christian ordination and apostolic succession, or to Buddhist dharma transmission; but a Sufi guide is regarded primarily as a specialized teacher and Islam denies the existence of an earthly hierarchy among believers.)


title: Clergy

text: Muslims who wish to learn Sufism dedicate themselves to a "murshid"'s guidance by taking an oath called a "bai'ah". The aspirant is then known as a "murid" ("disciple" or "follower"). A "murid" who takes on special disciplines under the guide's instruction, ranging from an intensive spiritual retreat to voluntary poverty and homelessness, is sometimes known as a dervish.


title: Clergy

text: During the Islamic Golden Age, it was common for scholars to attain recognized mastery of both the "exterior sciences" "(`ulum az-zahir)" of the madrasahs as well as the "interior sciences" "(`ulum al-batin)" of Sufism. Al-Ghazali and Rumi are two notable examples.


title: Clergy

text: The highest office an Ahmadi can hold is that of "Khalifatu l-Masih". Such a person may appoint amirs who manage regional areas. The consultative body for Ahmadiyya is called the "Majlis-i-Shura", which ranks second in importance to the "Khalifatu l-Masih". However, the Ahmadiyya community is declared as non-Muslims by many mainstream Muslims and they reject the messianic claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.


title: Clergy

text: Rabbinic Judaism does not have clergy as such, although according to the Torah there is a tribe of priests known as the Kohanim who were leaders of the religion up to the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in 70 AD when most Sadducees were wiped out; each member of the tribe, a Kohen had priestly duties, many of which centered around the sacrificial duties, atonement and blessings of the Israelite nation. Today, Jewish Kohanim know their status by family tradition, and still offer the priestly blessing during certain services in the synagogue and perform the "Pidyon haben" (redemption of the first-born son) ceremony.


title: Clergy

text: Since the time of the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, the religious leaders of Judaism have often been rabbis, who are technically scholars in Jewish law empowered to act as judges in a rabbinical court. All types of Judaism except Orthodox Judaism allow women as well as men to be ordained as rabbis and cantors. The leadership of a Jewish congregation is, in fact, in the hands of the laity: the president of a synagogue is its actual leader and any adult male Jew (or adult Jew in non-traditional congregations) can lead prayer services. The rabbi is not an occupation found in the Torah; the first time this word is mentioned is in the Mishnah. The modern form of the rabbi developed in the Talmudic era. Rabbis are given authority to make interpretations of Jewish law and custom. Traditionally, a man obtains one of three levels of Semicha (rabbinic ordination) after the completion of an arduous learning program in Torah, Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), Mishnah and Talmud, Midrash, Jewish ethics and lore, the codes of Jewish law and responsa, theology and philosophy.


title: Clergy

text: Since the early medieval era an additional communal role, the "Hazzan" (cantor) has existed as well. Cantors have sometimes been the only functionaries of a synagogue, empowered to undertake religio-civil functions like witnessing marriages. Cantors do provide leadership of actual services, primarily because of their training and expertise in the music and prayer rituals pertaining to them, rather than because of any spiritual or "sacramental" distinction between them and the laity. Cantors as much as rabbis have been recognized by civil authorities in the United States as clergy for legal purposes, mostly for awarding education degrees and their ability to perform weddings, and certify births and deaths.


title: Clergy

text: Additionally, Jewish authorities license "mohels", people specially trained by experts in Jewish law and usually also by medical professionals to perform the ritual of circumcision. Traditional Orthodox Judaism does not license women as mohels, but other types of Judaism do. They are appropriately called "mohelot" (pl. of "mohelet," f. of mohel). As the "j., the Jewish News Weekly of Northern California", states, "...there is no halachic prescription against female mohels, [but] none exist in the Orthodox world, where the preference is that the task be undertaken by a Jewish man.". In many places, mohels are also licensed by civil authorities, as circumcision is technically a surgical procedure. Kohanim, who must avoid contact with dead human body parts (such as the removed foreskin) for ritual purity, cannot act as mohels, but some mohels are also either rabbis or cantors.


title: Clergy

text: Another licensed cleric in Judaism is the "shochet", who are trained and licensed by religious authorities for kosher slaughter according to ritual law. A Kohen may be a shochet. Most shochetim are ordained rabbis.


title: Clergy

text: Then there is the "mashgiach/mashgicha". "Mashgichim" are observant Jews who supervise the "kashrut" status of a kosher establishment. The "mashgichim" must know the Torah laws of "kashrut", and how they apply in the environment they are supervising. Obviously, this can vary. In many instances, the "mashgiach"/"mashgicha" is a rabbi. This helps, since rabbinical students learn the laws of kosher as part of their syllabus. However, not all "mashgichim" are rabbis, and not all rabbis are qualified to be "mashgichim".


title: Clergy

text: In contemporary Orthodox Judaism, women are usually forbidden from becoming rabbis or cantors. Most Orthodox rabbinical seminaries or yeshivas also require dedication of many years to education, but few require a formal degree from a civil education institution that often define Christian clergy. Training is often focused on Jewish law, and some Orthodox Yeshivas forbid secular education.


title: Clergy

text: In Hasidic Judaism, generally understood as a branch of Orthodox Judaism, there are dynastic spiritual leaders known as "Rebbes", often translated in English as "Grand Rabbi". The office of Rebbe is generally a hereditary one, but may also be passed from Rebbe to student or by recognition of a congregation conferring a sort of coronation to their new Rebbe. Although one does not need to be an ordained Rabbi to be a Rebbe, most Rebbes today are ordained Rabbis. Since one does not need to be an ordained rabbi to be a Rebbe, at some points in history there were female Rebbes as well, particularly the Maiden of Ludmir.


title: Clergy

text: In Conservative Judaism, both men and women are ordained as rabbis and cantors. Conservative Judaism differs with Orthodoxy in that it sees Jewish Law as binding but also as subject to many interpretations, including more liberal interpretations. Academic requirements for becoming a rabbi are rigorous. First earn a bachelor's degree before entering rabbinical school. Studies are mandated in pastoral care and psychology, the historical development of Judaism and most importantly the academic study of Bible, Talmud and rabbinic literature, philosophy and theology, liturgy, Jewish history, and Hebrew literature of all periods.


title: Clergy

text: Reconstructionist Judaism and Reform Judaism do not maintain the traditional requirements for study as rooted in Jewish Law and traditionalist text. Both men and women may be rabbis or cantors. The rabbinical seminaries of these movements hold that one must first earn a bachelor's degree before entering the rabbinate. In addition studies are mandated in pastoral care and psychology, the historical development of Judaism; and academic biblical criticism. Emphasis is placed not on Jewish law, but rather on sociology, modern Jewish philosophy, theology and pastoral care.


title: Clergy

text: Sikh clergy consists of five "Jathedars", one each from five "takhts" or sacred seats. The "Jathedars" are appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), an elected body of the Sikhs sometimes called the "Parliament of Sikhs." The highest seat of the Sikh religion is called "Akal Takht" and the "Jathedar" of "Akal Takht" makes all the important decisions after consultations with the "Jathedars" of the other four "takhts" and the SGPC.


title: Clergy

text: Historically traditional (or "pagan") religions typically combine religious authority and political power. What this means is that the sacred king or queen is therefore seen to combine both kingship and priesthood within his or her person, even though he or she is often aided by an actual high priest or priestess (see, for example, the Maya priesthood). When the functions of political ruler and religious leader are combined in this way, deification could be seen to be the next logical stage of his or her social advancement within his or her native environment, as is found in the case of the Egyptian Pharaohs. The Vedic priesthood of India is an early instance of a structured body of clergy organized as a separate and hereditary caste, one that occupied the highest social rung of its nation. A modern example of this phenomenon the priestly monarchs of the Yoruba holy city of Ile-Ife in Nigeria, whose reigning Onis have performed ritual ceremonies for centuries for the sustenance of the entire planet and its people.


title: Clergy

text: In recent years, studies have suggested that American clergy in certain Protestant, Evangelical and Jewish traditions are more at risk than the general population of obesity, hypertension and depression. Their life expectancies have fallen in recent years and in the last decade their use of antidepressants has risen. Several religious bodies in the United States (Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist and Lutheran) have implemented measures to address the issue, through wellness campaigns, for example – but also by simply ensuring that clergy take more time off.


title: Clergy

text: It is unclear whether similar symptoms affect American Muslim clerics, although an anecdotal comment by one American imam suggested that leaders of mosques may also share these problems.


title: Clergy

text: One exception to the findings of these studies is the case of American Catholic priests, who are required by canon law to take a spiritual retreat each year, and four weeks of vacation. Sociological studies at the University of Chicago have confirmed this exception; the studies also took the results of several earlier studies into consideration and included Roman Catholic priests nationwide. It remains unclear whether American clergy in other religious traditions experience the same symptoms, or whether clergy outside the United States are similarly affected.


title: Blade: The Series

text: Blade: The Series is an American superhero television series that ran from June 28 to September 13, 2006. It was based on the Marvel Comics character and film series, taking place after the events of "". The show premiered on Spike at June 28, 2006. Sticky Fingaz (credited as Kirk "Sticky" Jones) starred in the title role, alongside Jill Wagner as Krista Starr, Neil Jackson as Marcus van Sciver, Jessica Gower as Chase, and Nelson Lee as Shen. The two-hour pilot was directed by Peter O'Fallon from a script by David S. Goyer (who wrote the scripts for all three of the films) and Geoff Johns.


title: Blade: The Series

text: The series received mixed reviews, with critics praising the action scenes while criticizing the large number of clichés, as well as the absence of Wesley Snipes in the title role.


title: Blade: The Series

text: Soldier Krista Starr returns from military service in Iraq to learn that her twin brother, Zack, has died in mysterious circumstances. Her investigation reveals Zack had been a "familiar"—a human who serves a vampire in the hope of eventually being rewarded with eternal life. Krista's search leads her to Marcus Van Sciver, Zack's killer, and to Blade, a vampire hunter. Marcus is a powerful vampire and high-ranking member of the House of Chthon. Smitten with Krista, Marcus turns her into a vampire by injecting her with his own blood. Krista is then approached by Blade, who injects her with the serum he uses to control his own vampire instincts, offering her a chance to avenge her brother's death and help him bring down Marcus and the House of Chthon. Blade reveals that Zack was helping him with a sting operation, and he and Krista form a reluctant partnership. The remainder of the season follows Krista's attempts to maintain her cover in the House of Chthon while struggling with her growing predatory nature, and Marcus's work on the Aurora Project, intended to develop a vaccine to render vampires immune to their traditional weaknesses (sunlight, silver, and garlic). It is revealed that Marcus has sabotaged the project and created a virus that is deadly to "purebloods"—the ruling vampire class—and leaves unscathed the "turnbloods"—vampires who were once human. With Blade's help, he eventually unleashes his weapon in the series finale.


title: Blade: The Series

text: In February 2006, Spike TV gave the green light for a television series based on Marvel Comics superhero Blade as the network's first original scripted series. Spike TV executive Pancho Mansfield said: "We're extremely pleased with the pilot for "Blade", which delivers a thrilling action-adventure for its built-in fan base as well as a character-driven drama filled with heart-pounding tension and suspense. The series will be the first of our scripted fare as we embark on creating a greater mix of original programming for our viewers".


title: Blade: The Series

text: Rapper Sticky Fingaz signed to star as Blade in November 2005, replacing Wesley Snipes, who had portrayed Blade in the movies. Fingaz later commented that he was not out to make people forget about the "Blade" films, but wanted to put his own spin on the character: "I think it's more my own direction, but I have to incorporate some of what [Snipes] did. That's what people are familiar with, and you don't want to change it up drastically. You might want to change the seasoning a little bit, but you want the same meat".


title: Blade: The Series

text: Spike TV ordered 11 one-hour episodes, in addition to the two-hour pilot episode, to be produced by New Line Television. The pilot was shot in 2005, and production of the series began in Vancouver in the spring of 2006. The show premiered with the pilot on June 28, 2006, followed by standard one-hour episodes from July 5.


title: Blade: The Series

text: David S. Goyer, who had written the scripts for all three of the films and co-created the television series, commented that the open-ended nature of a TV series supported the kind of storytelling that allows viewers to delve more into the inner workings of the vampire world. The series picks up where the last film, "", left off and adds several new characters, including Krista Starr (played by Jill Wagner), Marcus van Sciver (Neil Jackson), Chase (Jessica Gower) and Shen (Nelson Lee).


title: Blade: The Series

text: Goyer later explained: "What the series is, in a weird way, is kind of like "Wiseguy" with vampires, because Jill's character is kind of a double agent working for Blade, within the vampire community, and [we're] treating the vampires sort of like the ultimate crime family. Blade realizes at the beginning of the pilot that he's not making much headway, just sort of hacking and slashing, that he needs to know more about their inner workings".


title: Blade: The Series

text: In the chronology of the "Blade" universe, the TV series takes place after the film "": certain events in the film are mentioned in the pilot episode. At the end of "Trinity", Blade had used the Daystar, a biological weapon that specifically targets and kills vampires. In the series, however, the Daystar has not spread as fast or as far as predicted, and there are still many vampire houses in operation. (In "Death Goes On", Marcus mentions to Krista the existence of twelve vampire Houses.)


title: Blade: The Series

text: The series premiere had 2.5 million viewers and was the most-watched original series premiere in Spike TV history. It was also the #1 show on evening cable TV for men 18–34 and 18–49. This occurred in a year where most cable premieres were outstanding, and the series failed to hold its numbers.


title: Blade: The Series

text: On Rotten Tomatoes the series had an approval rating of 50% based on reviews from 18 critics. The site's consensus was ""Blade: The Series" emphasizes gore and techno music over dramatic development, making for a bland action series". On Metacritic, the series has a score of 49% based on reviews from 15 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".


title: Blade: The Series

text: Gillian Flynn of Entertainment Weekly gave it a positive review and wrote: "When gunplay, kickboxing, and throat slitting actually feel like breaks in the action, you've got a series with brains as well as teeth". The Guardian wrote: "Like most genre shows, it fumbles a lot in setting up the world and characters, but stick with it: after a few weeks it hits its stride and is a good antidote to the rather soppy bloodsuckers of "True Blood" and "Twilight"".


title: Blade: The Series

text: Brian Lowry of "Variety" wrote that the series "feels more like a bland swig of plasma than the bloody romp that it ought to be". Reviewing the series in 2017, Liz Shannon Miller of IndieWire was critical of the show: "Despite some interesting twists at the end, the cliches did pile up" and the absence of Wesley Snipes.


title: Blade: The Series

text: On September 28, 2006, Jill Wagner announced that there would be no second season of the show. The next day, Spike announced in a press release that the show would not be picked up. As a response to a letter in Wizard Magazine, series writer/producer Geoff Johns stated that "the network didn't want to cancel it, I just think Spike TV is still a young network, and the price it was costing to make...they just weren't able to do it".


title: Blade: The Series

text: "Blade: The Series" was the second TV show to premiere on iTunes before ever having aired on mainstream television. The short-lived "Law & Order" spin-off "Conviction" was the first.


title: Blade: The Series

text: The pilot episode of the series was released on DVD as "Blade: House of Chthon". The complete series was released in 2006 on a 4-disc DVD set by New Line Home Entertainment / Warner Bros., featuring the episodes revamped and alternated, with uncensored scenes considered "Too Graphic for TV".


title: Blade: The Series

text: The series is available to stream on The CW's free digital-only network, CW Seed, as well as on Tubi.tv.


title: Blade: The Series

text: In August 2022, reports announced that the original Blade trilogy would stream on Hulu (a Disney-owned platform) and withdraw from HBO Max (although the film rights expired in 2012). However, it's currently unconfirmed if the series will also stream on the platform or when the franchise will join Disney+ worldwide.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Emmanuel Niamiah Sanders (born March 17, 1987) is a former American football wide receiver who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at SMU, and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Sanders won Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos over the Carolina Panthers, and also played for the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Buffalo Bills.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders attended Bellville High School in Bellville, Texas, where he was a four-sport star in football, basketball, baseball, and track. In football, in which he was most notable, Sanders was a first-team All-District performer at running back, wide receiver, and safety. As a senior, he rushed for 499 yards with six touchdowns, hauled in 24 catches for 414 yards and a score while also throwing for a touchdown. On defense, he recorded 49 tackles and three interceptions. He was named Team MVP and Tri-County Offensive Player of the Year following his senior season. In all, he earned seven All-District honors during his high school career. Regarded only as a two-star recruit by both Rivals.com and Scout.com, Sanders chose SMU over scholarship offers from TCU, Kansas, Baylor, and Houston.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: After graduating from high school, Sanders was a three-year starter at Southern Methodist University under head coaches Phil Bennett and June Jones. He was awarded All-Conference honors his last two seasons. As a freshman, Sanders had 46 receptions for 605 yards and nine touchdowns. As a sophomore, he had 74 receptions for 889 yards and nine touchdowns. As a junior, he had 67 receptions for 958 yards and nine touchdowns. As a senior, he had 98 receptions for 1,339 and seven touchdowns. In addition, he averaged 13.8 yards on 20 punt returns with an additional score.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Sanders in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was the seventh wide receiver selected and was the first of two wide receivers the Steelers selected in 2010, along with Antonio Brown.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On June 15, 2010, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Sanders to a three-year, $1.80 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $586,000.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Throughout training camp, he competed for the fourth wide receiver position on the depth chart against Antonio Brown and Tyler Grisham. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Sanders the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Antwaan Randle El, and Arnaz Battle.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders made his NFL debut in the Steelers' 15–9 season-opening victory against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed the next three games (Weeks 2–4) as a healthy scratch after the Steelers' coaching staff elected to use Antonio Brown instead due to his added special teams abilities. On October 17, 2010, Sanders caught a 22-yard pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter to mark his first NFL reception. After Week 9, Sanders received increased playing time after he surpassed Antwaan Randle El on the depth chart and became the No. 3 wide receiver. In Week 10, he caught five passes for 41 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown on a six-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger in the Steelers' 39–26 loss to the New England Patriots.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished his rookie year with 28 receptions for 376 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games and one start. He also had 25 kick returns for 628 yards and logged ten combined tackles on special teams.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: During the season, Sanders, Wallace, and Brown became collectively known as the "Young Money Family" or "Young Money Crew," inspired by rapper Lil Wayne. Within the group, Sanders was sometimes referred to as "Easy Money" since his first initial is "E." The wide receiver trio also dubbed the nickname "Bugatti Boys" for themselves, also after a rap group.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The Steelers finished atop the AFC North with a 12–4 record and clinched a first round bye in the playoffs. On January 15, 2011, Sanders appeared in his first NFL playoff game and caught four passes for 54 yards in the Steelers' 31–24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC . They went on to play in the Super Bowl after defeating the New York Jets 24–19 in the AFC Championship game. On February 6, 2011, Sanders played in Super Bowl XLV and had two catches for 17 yards before leaving in the second quarter after suffering a foot injury while making a 13-yard catch. He was immediately carted off the field and was unable to return. The Steelers went on to lose 31–25 to the Green Bay Packers. It was discovered that Sanders had fractured his foot during the game.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On April 4, 2011, Sanders underwent surgery on his foot after he continually had issues after he fractured it during Super Bowl XLV. Sanders entered training camp competing against Antonio Brown and Antwaan Randle El for the No. 3 wide receiver position. He was unable to play in the first three preseason games after developing a stress fracture in his foot. He was named the fourth wide receiver on the depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, and Antonio Brown.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: He missed games in Week 9 and Week 10 after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Sanders missed three more games during the season (Weeks 14–16) after developing inflammation in his left foot.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2011 season with 22 receptions for 288 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games and zero starts. On January 8, 2012, Sanders caught six passes for 81 yards during a 29–23 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Wild Card Round.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The off-season saw the retirement of Hines Ward and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians after the Steelers' opted to not extend him a contract offer. Sanders entered camp as the third wide receiver on the depth chart, but began competing to be a starting wide receiver after Mike Wallace held out due to his contract. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Sanders the No. 3 wide receiver on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On October 21, 2012, Sanders earned his second NFL start in a 24–17 win at the Cincinnati Bengals. During the fourth quarter, he went down with a leg injury after quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked. Although the Steelers had a timeout, it was thought that Sanders had faked the leg cramp to stop the clock. On November 9, 2012, the NFL fined Sanders $15,000 and the Steelers $35,000 for the incident. NFL Vice President of Operations Ray Anderson used video evidence of Sanders out-sprinting his teammates, just one play after sitting out from his injury, as proof that the injury was fake. This was the first time in league history a player has been fined for faking an injury.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2012 season with 44 receptions for 626 yards and a touchdown in 16 games and seven starts. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished 8–8 in 2012 and did not qualify for the playoffs.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On March 12, 2013, the Steelers assigned an original rounder tender to Sanders as a restricted free agent. The tender gave them a third-round pick from any team who signs Sanders or the option to match any contract offer by any teams attempting to sign Sanders. On March 15, 2013, Sanders attended a private visit with the New England Patriots and received an offer sheet. On April 10, 2013, Sanders officially signed his offer sheet from the New England Patriots and the Steelers were given five days to match. On April 14, 2013, the Steelers matched the Patriots' offer sheet, retaining Sanders for the 2013 season.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Head coach Mike Tomlin named Sanders and Antonio Brown the starting wide receivers to start the regular season, after Mike Wallace signed with the Miami Dolphins during free agency. Sanders finished the 2013 season with 67 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games and ten starts.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders became a free agent after 2013 and was a highly sought-after player. He received offers from the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and also had a visit planned with the San Francisco 49ers. The Pittsburgh Steelers did not extend an offer to Sanders.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On March 15, 2014, the Denver Broncos signed Sanders to a three-year, $15 million contract that includes $6 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million. The next day, executives representing the Kansas City Chiefs complained that Sanders' agent, Steve Weinberg, had accepted a deal with the Chiefs in principle.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders was signed to replace Eric Decker, who departed for the New York Jets in free agency. Head coach John Fox named him the starting outside wide receiver alongside Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker in the slot.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders started in the Broncos' season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded six receptions for 77 yards in a 31–24 victory. In Week 3, Sanders caught a season-high 11 passes for 149 receiving yards in the Broncos' 26–20 overtime loss at the Seattle Seahawks. On October 19, 2014, Sanders caught three passes for 41 yards along with his first touchdown as a Bronco as they defeated the San Francisco 49ers 42–17. The following week, Sanders caught nine passes for 120 yards and a career-high three touchdown receptions in the Broncos' 35–21 win against the San Diego Chargers. On November 16, 2014, he suffered a concussion after being hit by Rams safety Rodney McLeod during the Broncos' 22–7 loss against the St. Louis Rams. In Week 9, Sanders made ten receptions for a season-high 151 receiving yards during a 43–21 loss at the New England Patriots.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2014 season with a career-high in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,404), and touchdowns (nine) and started all 16 games. As a result of his successful 2014 season, Sanders made his first career Pro Bowl.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The Broncos finished atop the AFC West with a 12–4 record and received a first-round bye. On January 11, 2015, Sanders started his first NFL playoff game and caught seven passes for 46 yards as the Broncos lost 24–13 to the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC .


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On January 12, 2015, the Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox agreed to mutually part ways, concluding Sanders's one and only season under Fox and offensive coordinator Adam Gase. On January 19, 2015, Denver Broncos' General manager John Elway announced the hiring of Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak as the Broncos' new head coach.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison named Sanders and Demaryius Thomas as the starting wide receivers to begin the regular season. Sanders was inactive for the Broncos' Week 11 victory at the Chicago Bears due to an ankle injury. On December 20, 2015, Sanders made ten catches for a career-high 181 receiving yards and a touchdown in a 34–27 loss to his former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2015 season with 76 receptions, 1,135 receiving yards, and six touchdowns in 15 games and 15 starts. This was also his only season as the Broncos' backup punt returner, as he finished with 17 punt returns for 103 return yards. Pro Football Focus gave Sanders an overall grade of 86.2, with his grade ranking 13th among all wide receivers.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The Broncos finished atop the AFC West with 12–4 and were the No. 1 seed in the AFC heading into the playoffs with a first-round bye. On January 17, 2016, Sanders started in the AFC and recorded five receptions for 85 yards during the Broncos' 23–16 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The following week, the Broncos defeated the New England Patriots in the by a score of 20–18. On February 7, 2016, Sanders led all receivers in both teams with six receptions for 83 yards as the Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers by a score of 24–10 to win Super Bowl 50. He was ranked 74th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On September 7, 2016, the Broncos signed Sanders to a three-year, $33 million contract extension that included $20 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $10.75 million.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: The off-season saw the retirement of Peyton Manning and the departure of Brock Osweiler in free agency. Sanders and Thomas remained the starting wide receiver duo with Trevor Siemian as their new quarterback. In Week 3, he caught nine passes for 117 receiving yards and two touchdowns during the Broncos' 29–17 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals. On November 27, 2016, Sanders recorded seven catches for a season-high 172 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Broncos were defeated 30–27 by the Kansas City Chiefs. On December 11, 2016, he collected a season-high 11 receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown in their 13–10 loss at the Tennessee Titans.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2016 season with 79 receptions, 1,032 receiving yards, and five touchdowns in 16 games and 16 starts. This marked his third consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards. The Broncos finished third in the AFC West with a 9–7 record and did not qualify for the playoffs. He earned a second Pro Bowl nomination.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On January 2, 2017, head coach Gary Kubiak announced his retirement due to health concerns. New head coach Vance Joseph retained Sanders and Demaryius Thomas as the starting wide receivers to begin the regular season.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On September 17, 2017, Sanders had six receptions for 62 yards and a season-high two touchdowns in the 42–17 Week 2 victory against the Dallas Cowboys. The following week, he caught a season-high seven passes for 75 receiving yards as the Broncos lost 26–16 at the Buffalo Bills. He sprained his ankle during the third quarter of the Broncos' Week 6 loss to the New York Giants and missed the next two games (Weeks 7–8). In Week 10, Sanders caught six passes for a season-high 137 receiving yards during a 41–16 loss to the New England Patriots. He was sidelined for the last two games of the season (Weeks 16–17) after sustaining another injury to his ankle.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders finished the 2017 season with 47 receptions for 555 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games and 11 starts. In his single season under offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Sanders experienced career lows since arriving in Denver. Pro Football Focus gave Sanders and overall grade of 70.7, which ranked 64th among all wide receivers in 2017.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders started the season off strong with 10 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown in a victory over the Seattle Seahawks. In Week 6, against the Los Angeles Rams, he had seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown. In Week 7, on "Thursday Night Football", Sanders threw a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton and recorded six catches for 102 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown pass from Case Keenum, in a 45–10 win over the Arizona Cardinals, earning him AFC Offensive Player of the Week. On December 5, Sanders suffered a torn Achilles in practice, ending his season. Overall, Sanders finished the 2018 season with 71 receptions for 868 receiving yards and four touchdowns.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders returned from injury in time for the season-opener against the Oakland Raiders on "Monday Night Football". In the game, Sanders caught five passes for 86 yards and his first touchdown of the season in the 24–16 road loss. In the next game against the Chicago Bears, Sanders caught 11 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown along with a two-point conversion as the Broncos lost 16–14.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On October 22, 2019, Sanders was traded to the San Francisco 49ers along with a 2020 fifth-round pick in exchange for 2020 third- and fourth-round picks.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders made his 49ers debut during Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers. In that game, he caught four passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in the 51–13 victory. In the next game against the Arizona Cardinals, he finished with seven catches for 112 receiving yards and a touchdown as the 49ers won 28–25. During Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, Sanders completed a pass to Raheem Mostert for a 35-yard touchdown and caught seven passes for 157 yards and a 75-yard touchdown in the 48–46 road victory. In Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday Night Football, Sanders caught three passes for 61 yards, including a 46-yard reception which set up a game winning field goal during the 34–31 win. In Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, Sanders became the first player to catch a pass in 17 games in a season, since he was traded by the Broncos before their bye week and after the 49ers' bye week. He finished the 2019 season with 66 receptions for 869 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. Sanders helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV after defeating the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. In the Super Bowl, Sanders recorded three catches for 38 yards, but the 49ers lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On April 6, 2020, Sanders signed a two-year, $16 million contract with earnings up to $19 million with the New Orleans Saints.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: In Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football", Sanders recorded a career-high 12 receptions for 122 yards during the 30–27 overtime win. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on October 23, and activated on November 4.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On April 29, 2021, Sanders changed his number to number 1 following the National Football League uniform numbers rule that had changed earlier that month. He previously wore number 10. During the season, Sanders played in 14 games, recording 42 receptions for 626 yards and four touchdowns, while recording an additional three receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Bills' two playoff games.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: Sanders announced his retirement on September 7, 2022, as an honorary member of the Broncos who he had won Super Bowl 50 with in 2016 and where he spent most of his career. In his statement he said: "I gave it my all. Every single rep, every single play, I tried to go 100 percent as hard as I can. And that's why I can hang my hat and say I gave the game everything I had, and the game gave it back to me."


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: On September 21, 2022, it was announced that Sanders will join the NFL Network as an analyst. He made his debut on NFL GameDay Morning on September 25, 2022. He also appears regularly on various NFL network programs and across NFL Media's podcast lineup.


title: Emmanuel Sanders

text: In 2013, Sanders married Gabriella Waheed. Together, they have two children, Princeton (born 2014) and Zoie (born 2016).


title: Hindu texts

text: Hindu texts are manuscripts and voluminous historical literature which are related to any of the diverse traditions within Hinduism. A few of these texts are shared across these traditions and they are broadly considered Hindu scriptures. These include the Puranas, Itihasa and Vedas. Scholars hesitate in defining the term "Hindu scriptures" given the diverse nature of Hinduism, but many list the Bhagavad Gita and the Agamas as Hindu scriptures, and Dominic Goodall includes Bhagavata Purana and Yajnavalkya Smriti in the list of Hindu scriptures as well.


title: Hindu texts

text: There are two historic classifications of Hindu texts: "Śruti" – that which is heard, and "Smriti" – that which is remembered. The "Shruti" refers to the body of most authoritative, ancient religious texts, believed to be eternal knowledge authored neither by human nor divine agent but transmitted by sages ("rishis"). These comprise the central canon of Hinduism. It includes the four Vedas including its four types of embedded texts - the Samhitas, the Brahmanas, the Aranyakas and the early Upanishads. Of the "Shrutis" (Vedic corpus), the Upanishads alone are widely influential among Hindus, considered scriptures par excellence of Hinduism, and their central ideas have continued to influence its thoughts and traditions.


title: Hindu texts

text: The "Smriti" texts are a specific body of Hindu texts attributed to an author, as a derivative work they are considered less authoritative than "Shruti" in Hinduism. The Smriti literature is a vast corpus of diverse texts, and includes but is not limited to Vedāngas, the Hindu epics, the Sutras and Shastras, the texts of Hindu philosophies, the Puranas, the Kāvya or poetical literature, the "Bhasyas", and numerous "Nibandhas" (digests) covering politics, ethics, culture, arts and society.


title: Hindu texts

text: Many ancient and medieval Hindu texts were composed in Sanskrit, many others in regional Indian languages. In modern times, most ancient texts have been translated into other Indian languages and some in non-Indian languages. Prior to the start of the common era, the Hindu texts were composed orally, then memorized and transmitted orally, from one generation to next, for more than a millennia before they were written down into manuscripts. This verbal tradition of preserving and transmitting Hindu texts, from one generation to next, continued into the modern era.


title: Hindu texts

text: The Vedas are a large body of Hindu texts originating in Vedic period in northern India, the Rig Veda being composed ca. 1200 BCE, and its Samhita and Brahmanas complete before about 800 BCE. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit hymns, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. Hindus consider the Vedas to be timeless revelation, "apauruṣeya", which means "not of a man, superhuman" and "impersonal, authorless". The knowledge in the Vedas is believed in Hinduism to be eternal, uncreated, neither authored by human nor by divine source, but seen, heard and transmitted by sages.


title: Hindu texts

text: Vedas are also called ' ("what is heard") literature, distinguishing them from other religious texts, which are called ' ("what is remembered"). The Veda, for orthodox Indian theologians, are considered revelations, some way or other the work of the Deity. In the Hindu Epic the Mahabharata, the creation of Vedas is credited to Brahma.


title: Hindu texts

text: There are four Vedas: the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samaveda and the Atharvaveda. Each Veda has been subclassified into four major text types – the Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic-sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads (text discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).


title: Hindu texts

text: The Upanishads are a collection of Hindu texts which contain some of the central philosophical concepts of Hinduism.


title: Hindu texts

text: The Upanishads are commonly referred to as "Vedānta", variously interpreted to mean either the "last chapters, parts of the Veda" or "the object, the highest purpose of the Veda". The concepts of Brahman (Ultimate Reality) and Ātman (Soul, Self) are central ideas in all the Upanishads, and "Know your Ātman" their thematic focus. The Upanishads are the foundation of Hindu philosophical thought and its diverse traditions. Of the Vedic corpus, they alone are widely known, and the central ideas of the Upanishads have had a lasting influence on Hindu philosophy.


title: Hindu texts

text: More than 200 Upanishads are known, of which the first dozen or so are the oldest and most important and are referred to as the principal or main ("mukhya") Upanishads. The "mukhya" Upanishads are found mostly in the concluding part of the "Brahmanas" and "Aranyakas" and were, for centuries, memorized by each generation and passed down verbally. The early Upanishads all predate the Common Era, some in all likelihood pre-Buddhist (6th century BCE), down to the Maurya period. Of the remainder, some 95 Upanishads are part of the Muktika canon, composed from about the start of common era through medieval Hinduism. New Upanishads, beyond the 108 in the Muktika canon, continued being composed through the early modern and modern era, though often dealing with subjects unconnected to Hinduism.


title: Hindu texts

text: The texts that appeared afterwards were called smriti. Smriti is a literature which includes various Shastras and "Itihasa"s (epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata), Harivamsa Puranas, Agamas and Darshanas.


title: Hindu texts

text: The Sutras and Shastras texts were compilations of technical or specialized knowledge in a defined area. The earliest are dated to later half of the 1st millennium BCE. The Dharma-shastras (law books), derivatives of the Dharma-sutras. Other examples were "bhautikashastra" "physics", "rasayanashastra" "chemistry", "jīvashastra" "biology", "vastushastra" "architectural science", "shilpashastra" "science of sculpture", "arthashastra" "economics" and "nītishastra" "political science". It also includes Tantras and Agama literature.


title: Hindu texts

text: This genre of texts includes the Sutras and Shastras of the six schools of Hindu philosophy: Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa and Vedanta.


title: Hindu texts

text: The Puranas are a vast genre of Hindu texts that encyclopedically cover a wide range of topics, particularly legends and other traditional lore. Composed primarily in Sanskrit, but also in regional languages, several of these texts are named after major Hindu deities such as Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Goddess Devi.


title: Hindu texts

text: The Puranic literature is encyclopedic, and it includes diverse topics such as cosmogony, cosmology, genealogies of gods, goddesses, kings, heroes, sages, and demigods, folk tales, pilgrimages, temples, medicine, astronomy, grammar, mineralogy, humor, love stories, as well as theology and philosophy. The content is diverse across the Puranas, and each Purana has survived in numerous manuscripts which are themselves voluminous and comprehensive. The Hindu Puranas are anonymous texts and likely the work of many authors over the centuries; in contrast, most Jaina Puranas can be dated and their authors assigned.


title: Hindu texts

text: There are 18 "Maha Puranas" (Great Puranas) and 18 "Upa Puranas" (Minor Puranas), with over 400,000 verses. The Puranas do not enjoy the authority of a scripture in Hinduism, but are considered a Smriti. These Hindu texts have been influential in the Hindu culture, inspiring major national and regional annual festivals of Hinduism. The Bhagavata Purana has been among the most celebrated and popular text in the Puranic genre.


title: Hindu texts

text: Hindu texts for specific fields, in Sanskrit and other regional languages, have been reviewed as follows:


title: Hindu texts

text: The Hindu scriptures provide the early documented history of arts and sciences forms in India such as music, dance, sculptures, architecture, astronomy, science, mathematics, medicine and wellness. Valmiki's Ramayana (500 BCE to 100 BCE) mentions music and singing by Gandharvas, dance by Apsaras such as Urvashi, Rambha, Menaka, Tilottama Panchāpsaras, and by Ravana's wives who excelling in "nrityageeta" or "singing and dancing" and "nritavaditra" or "playing musical instruments"). The evidence of earliest dance related texts are in "Natasutras", which are mentioned in the text of Panini, the sage who wrote the classic on Sanskrit grammar, and who is dated to about 500 BCE. This performance arts related Sutra text is mentioned in other late Vedic texts, as are two scholars names Shilalin (IAST: Śilālin) and Krishashva (Kṛśaśva), credited to be pioneers in the studies of ancient drama, singing, dance and Sanskrit compositions for these arts. Richmond et al. estimate the "Natasutras" to have been composed around 600 BCE, whose complete manuscript has not survived into the modern age.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The Kazakh Khanate (, , ), in eastern sources known as Ulus of the Kazakhs, Ulus of Jochi, Yurt of Urus, was a Kazakh state in Central Asia, successor of the Golden Horde existing from the 15th to 19th century, centered on the eastern parts of the "Desht-i Qipchaq".


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The khanate was established by Janibek Khan and Kerei Khan in 1465. Both khans came from Turco-Mongol clan of Tore which traces its lineage to Genghis Khan through dynasty of Jochids. The Tore clan continued to rule the khanate until its fall to the Russian Empire.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: From 16th to 17th century, the Kazakh Khanate ruled and expanded its territories to eastern Cumania (modern-day West Kazakhstan), to most of Uzbekistan, Karakalpakstan and the Syr Darya river with military confrontation as far as Astrakhan and Khorasan Province, which are now in Russia and Iran, respectively. The Khanate was later weakened by a series of Oirat and Dzungar invasions. These resulted in a decline and further disintegration into three Juzes, which gradually lost their sovereignty and were incorporated to the expanding Russian Empire in the 19th century.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The establishment of the Kazakh Khanate marked the beginning of Kazakh statehood whose 550th anniversary was celebrated in 2015.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1227, a proto-Kazakh state was formed within the Golden Horde in the steppe, which was the White Horde. After its separation from the Golden Horde in 1361, the White Horde became an independent state for a certain period of time, sometimes uniting with the Blue Horde to reestablish the Golden Horde. However, after the death of Khan of the Golden Horde, Barak Khan in 1428 the Golden Horde became fragmented, and the White Horde itself was divided into the Uzbek Khanate and the Nogai Horde (descendants of ruling Mongol tribes), the remaining land was divided between Mustafa Khan in the south and Mohammed Khan in the north. The Uzbek Khanate, which dominated most of present-day Kazakhstan, was ruled by Abu'l-Khayr Khan who conspired in killing Barak Khan. Under Abu’l-Khayr Khan's leadership, the Uzbek Khanate became a corrupt, unstable, and weak state that often dealt with internal problems. To make matters worse, the khanate itself was raided by Oirats who pillaged nomadic settlements and major cities where they were looted, damaged, and had civilians massacred. Peace was made in 1457 between the Uzbeks and the Oirats where Abu’l-Khayr Khan suffered a severe defeat which made him lose reputation among the Uzbeks.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The formation of the Kazakh Khanate began in 1459, when several Uzbek tribes dissatisfied with Abu’l-Khayr's rule, led by two sons of Barak Khan, Janibek and Kerei, fled the Uzbek Khanate in an event known as the "Great Migration". The two brothers led the nomads towards Moghulistan, eventually settling and establishing an independent state. The Khan of Moghulistan united with them, offering them support against their opponents. Around 200,000 nomads joined Janibek Khan and Kerei Khan's movement, which had had a huge power and influence that it sparked fear in Abu'l-Khayr. The new khanate soon became a buffer state between the Moghulistan and the Uzbek Khanate. Although both Janibek Khan and Kerei Khan were considered the founding rulers of the Kazakh Khanate, it was Janibek Khan who initially wielded the most power. Eager to liberate his land from Abu’l Khayr Khan, Janibek invaded the Uzbek Khanate in 1468, sparking the Kazakh War of Independence. Abu’l Khayr, in response, launched a campaign against the Kazakhs, but died on his way to Zhetysu. Upon the death of Kerei Khan in 1473/4 Janibek Khan became the sole ruler.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The early years of the Kazakh Khanate were marked by struggles for control of the steppe against the Abu'l-Khayr's grandson, Muhammad Shaybani. In 1470, the Kazakhs defeated Shaybani at the city of Iasy (present-day Turkistan), forcing the Uzbeks to retreat south to Samarkand and Bukhara.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1480, Kerei Khan's son Burunduk became khan. During his reign, the Kazakhs were able to muster an army of 50,000 ghazis and to repeatedly defeat the forces of Muhammad Shaybani along the Syr Darya river. It was during his reign, that the Uzbeks concluded peace with the Kazakhs in 1500, thus giving all the former Uzbek Khanate lands in the north of Syr Darya to the Kazakh Khanate.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Kasym, son of Janibek, became the Khan in 1511. Under his rule, the Kazakh Khanate reached its greatest strength so much that the Nogai Horde, which occupied the territory of modern Western Kazakhstan, became its number one enemy. Kasym successfully captured the Nogai capital Saray-Juk in 1520, pushing the Nogai Horde to the Astrakhan Khanate. Under Kasym Khan, the borders of the Kazakh Khanate expanded, the population reached 1 million people. It was during the reign of Kasym Khan that the Kazakh Khanate gained fame and political weight in the modern Euro-Asian arena. Kasym Khan also became a major patron of the arts, literature, and religion, allowing Islam to hold great political and sociocultural importance among Kazakh society. Under his reign, the Tsardom of Russia also became the first major state to establish diplomatic relations with the Kazakh Khanate. Upon doing so, Kasym Khan established his reputation as a successful leader, as his empire became known as an up-and-coming political entity to the Western Europe.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: The manuscript of "Tarikh-Safavi", written in Persian by Persian historians, wrote about Kasym Khan, bringing most of the Dasht-i-Kipchak under his absolute control. The manuscript also describes how a Kazakh squad of eight thousand soldiers helped Sheibani Khan of Bukhara annex the Iranian city of Khorasan.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Kasym Khan also instituted the first Kazakh code of laws in 1520, called "Қасым ханның қасқа жолы" (transliterated, "Qasım xannıñ qasqa jolı" — "Bright Road of Kasym Khan"). Kasym Khan also ratified his alliance with the Timurid leader Babur, particularly after the fall of the Shaybanids, and was thus praised by the Mughals and the populace of Samarqand.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: After the death of Kasym Khan, the Nogaiys restored their status quo by capturing the territory before in the west of the Turgai River. The Kazakh Khanate itself focused on the territory of Zhetysu and South Kazakhstan, where strife was starting to happen. The central territory of Kazakhstan, Sary-Arka, at that time was nominally part of the Kazakh Khanate. The Khanate of Sibir seized the northern regions of Sary-Arka.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: When Tahir Khan took the Kazakh throne, the Oirats invaded and captured eastern parts of Sary Arka in the 1520s.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In the early 1530s, a civil war began in the Kazakh Khanate between the grandsons of Janibek Khan. Haqnazar Khan emerged as victories and reunited the khanate under his control.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Under Haqnazar Khan, also known as Haq-Nazar or Khaknazar Khan or Ak Nazar Khan, the Kazakh Khanate faced competition from several directions: the Nogai Horde in the west, the Khanate of Sibir in the north, Moghulistan in the east and the Khanate of Bukhara in the south.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Haqnazar Khan began to liberate the occupied Kazakh lands. He returned the northern regions of Sary-Arka to the Kazakh Khanate. Having begun a campaign against the Nogai Horde, Haqnazar reconquered Saraishyk from the Nogai Horde and the surrounding Kazakh territories as well. In the fight against the Khivans, the Kazakhs conquered the Mangyshlak peninsula and successfully repelled the Oirats. Haqnazar began a campaign against Moghulistan with the aim of finally incorporating Zhetysu into the Kazakh Khanate. The campaign ended successfully and resulted in defeat for Moghulistan. However, in the north, there was a threat from the Khanate of Sibir, led by Khan Kuchum.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1568, the Kazakhs successfully defeated the Nogai Horde at the Emba River and reached Astrakhan, but were repelled by Russian forces.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: After the death of Haqnazar khan, Shygai, the grandson of Zhanibek khan, the son of Zhadik sultan, became khan in 1580–1582. Although he was eighty years old at the time, he was an influential khan among the Kazakhs. Little is known about his life. Chygai khan continued the direction of foreign policy of the Kazakh Khanate, followed by Haknazar khan. He rationally used the conflicts between Shaibani's heirs to strengthen the Kazakh state.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1582, Bukhara khan Abdullah, Kazakh khan Shygai and his son Tauekel sultan joined forces and organized the Ulytau campaign against the ruler of Tashkent Baba sultan. Baba Sultan was defeated and fled to the Desht-Kipchak steppe, Uzbek and Kazakh troops chased Baba Sultan to Sarysu and Ulytau. Chygai Khan died during that campaign. On his way back to Turkestan, Baba Sultan was killed by Sultan Tauekel and brought to Abdullah. Satisfied with the elimination of the enemy, Abdullah Khan presented Risk to the province of Afrikent in the Samarkand region.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Tauekel Khan expanded control of the Kazakh Khanate over Tashkent, Fergana, Andijan, and Samarkand. In 1598, Kazakh forces approached Bukhara and besieged it for 12 days, but afterwards the Bukharan leader Pir-Muhammad and reinforcements under the command of his brother Baki-Muhammad pushed back the Kazakhs. In that battle, Tauekel Khan was wounded and died during the retreat back to Tashkent.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: After the death of Tauekel Khan came Esim Sultan, son of Sheehan Khan. His reign was the time of the next (third) strengthening of the Kazakh Khanate after Kasim Khan and Khak-Nazar Khan. Esim Khan moved the capital of the khanate to Sygnak in Turkestan and suppressed the revolts of the Karakalpaks.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Esim Khan established peace with the Khanate of Bukhara and returned control of Samarkand to them. However, Bukhara was still bitter about the loss of Tashkent, which led to additional conflicts. Starting in 1607, the Khanate of Bukhara engaged in several battles and eventually obtained control of Tashkent.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Esim Khan united the Kazakh army and began a campaign against the Tashkent Khan Tursun Muhammad and Khan of Bukhara. In 1627, he defeated the enemy. Esim Khan abolished the Tashkent Khanate and the war finally ended.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: During the reign of Salqam-Jangir Khan, a new and powerful rival of the Kazakhs appeared in the east, known as the Zunghar Khanate. The Zunghar had recently converted to Mahayana Buddhism and their Erdeni Batur believed he could reestablish the 13th-century empire of Genghis Khan. However, much had changed since the days of the Mongol Empire. The Kazakh Khan elites had entirely converted to Islam under the authority of Emir Timur, who also reestablished new centers of power such as Samarqand and Bukhara, which had greatly influenced the founding of the Kazakh Khanate.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1652, the Dzunghar leader Erdeni Batur attempted to eliminate the Kazakh Khanate and its inhabitants; he dispatched more than 50,000 Zunghar warriors against the Kazakh Khanate, which refused to submit to him. The early stages of the Kazakh-Dzungar Wars took place in the Altai Mountains and later battles were fought on the vast steppes. Unable to halt the advance of the Zunghars, the Kazakh Ghazis and their leader Salqam-Jangir Khan's forces were defeated. In the year 1680, Salqam-Jangir Khan died in battle.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Tauke Khan was elected as the leader of the Kazakh Khanate immediately after the death of Salqam-Jangir Khan, and he led the battered Kazakh warriors across the steppes to resist the advance of the Zunghars. The already weakened Kazakhs were once again faced with defeat at Sayram and soon lost many major cities to the Zunghars.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Tauke Khan soon sought alliances with the Kirghiz in the southeast who were also facing a Zunghar invasion in their Issyk-Kul Lake region and even the Uyghurs of the Tarim Basin. In 1687, Zunghars besieged Hazrat-e Turkestan and were forced to retreat after the arrival of Subhan Quli Khan.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1697, Tsewang Rabtan became the leader of the Zunghar Khanate, and he dispatched several of his commanders to subjugate Tauke Khan and many major wars between the Zunghars and the Kazakh Khanate continued into the following years: 1709, 1711–1712, 1714 and 1718. The Kazakh Khanate had indeed been weakened by the confrontation and nearly one-third of their population had been lost by the ensuing conflict. With Tauke Khan's death in 1718, the Kazakh Khanate splintered into three "Jüz" — the Great jüz, the Middle jüz and the Little jüz. Each Jüz had its own Khan from this time onward.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Tauke Khan is also known for refining the Kazakh code of laws, and reissuing it under the title "Жеті Жарғы" (transliterated, "Jeti Jarği"—"Seven Charters").


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Ablai Khan was a khan of the Middle jüz or Horde who managed to extend his control over the other two jüzes to include all of the Kazakhs. Before he became khan, Ablai participated in Kazakh-Dzungar Wars and proved himself a talented organizer and commander. He led numerous campaigns against the Kokand Khanate and the Kyrgyz. In the latter campaign, his troops liberated many cities in Southern Kazakhstan and even captured Tashkent. During his actual reign, Ablai Khan did his best to keep Kazakhstan as independent as possible from the encroaching Russian Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty. He employed a multi-vector foreign policy to protect the tribes from Chinese and Dzungar aggressors. He also sheltered the Dzungar Oirat "taishas" Amursana and Dawachi from attacks by the Khan of Dzungar Khanate, Lama Dorji, as the Dzungar Khanate fractured following the death of Galdan Tseren in 1745. However, once Amursana and Dawachi were no longer allies, Ablai Khan took the opportunity to capture herds and territory from the Dzungars.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Kenesary Khan was the last Kazakh Khan who defeated Shergazi Muhammad Khan (khan of the Junior jüz) and Gubaidullah Khan (khan of the Elder jüz) to unite the Kazakhs one last time. Following his rule, he became leader of national liberation movement that resisted the capture of Kazakh lands and segregation policies by the Russian Empire. He was the grandson of Ablai Khan and is largely regarded as the last ruler of the Kazakh Khanate.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: By the mid 19th century, the Kazakhs fell under the full control of the Russian Empire and were banned from electing their own leader or even given representation in the empire's legislative structures. All fiscal/tax collections were also taken away from local Kazakh representatives and given to Russian administrators. Kenesary Khan fought against the Russian imperial forces until his death in 1847.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1841, at an all-Kazakh Kurultai, Kenesary was elected as Khan (supreme leader) by all Kazakh representatives. The ceremony of coronation followed all Kazakh traditions.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: As a freedom fighter and popular as a leading voice against the increasingly aggressive and forceful policies of the Russian Empire, Kenesary was ruthless in his actions and unpredictable as a military strategist. By 1846, however, his resistance movement had lost momentum as some of his rich associates had defected to the Russian Empire, having been bribed and been promised great riches. Betrayed, Kenesary Khan grew increasingly suspicious of the remaining members of the Resistance, possibly further alienating them. In 1847, the Khan of the Kazakhs met his death in Kyrgyz lands during his assault on northern Kyrgyz tribes. He was executed by Ormon Khan, the Kyrgyz khan who was subsequently rewarded by the Russians with a larger estate and an official administrative role. Kenesary Khan's head was cut off and sent to the Russians.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Over the last decade, Kenesary Khan has been increasingly regarded as a hero in Kazakh literature and media. A monument Kenesary Khan can be seen on the shore of the river Esil in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Gradual decline, disintegration and accession of Kazakh territories into the Russian Empire began in the mid-18th and ended in the second part of the 19th century. By the mid-18th century, as a result of long-lasting armed conflicts with Dzungars and Oirats, the Kazakh Khanate had started to decline and further disintegrate into three Jüzes, which formerly constituted the Kazakh Khanate in a confederate form.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: By the mid-19th century some tribes of the Middle jüz started war with the Russian occupiers. However, the process was long and filled with many minor and major armed conflicts and resistance.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Russian colonial policies/strategies brought military fortresses, many settlements, and externally imposed rules into Kazakh lands. A series of laws were introduced by the Russian Empire, abolishing local indigenous government in the form of Khan rule, instituting segregationist settlement policies, etc., resulting in numerous uprisings against colonial rule. Significant resistance movements were led by leaders such as Isatay Taymanuly (1836–1837), Makhambet Utemisuly (1836–1838) and Eset Kotibaruli (1847–1858).


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Meanwhile, the Senior Jüz sided with the Emirate of Bukhara and the Khanate of Kokand from the south, and started opposing the expansion of the Russian Empire.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: Full Russian rule over all Kazakh lands was established in the second half of the 19th century, after the southern towns of Aq-Meshit, Shymkent, Aulie-Ata and others were taken by the Russian Imperial Army.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: By the mid 18th century, the Russian Empire had expanded into Siberia, and Russian settlements started to appear along the Volga and Yaik rivers. The Kazakh-Russian relationship at the border regions was tense, which often resulted in mutual raids by Russian Cossacks on Kazakh lands and Kazakhs on Russian settlements.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: During the 18th century, raids by Kazakhs on Russia's territory of Orenburg were common; the Kazakhs captured many Russians and sold them as slaves in the Central Asian market. The Volga Germans were also victims of Kazakh raids; they were ethnic Germans living along the River Volga in the region of southeastern European Russia around Saratov.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1717, 3,000 Russian slaves, men, women, and children, were sold in Khiva by Kazakh and Kyrgyz tribesmen.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1722, they stole cattle, robbed from Russian villages and people trapped in captivity and sold in the slave markets of Central Asia (in 1722 in Bukhara were over 5,000 Russian prisoners). In the middle of the 17th century, 500 Russians were annually sold to Khiva by Kazakhs


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1730, the Kazakhs' frequent raids into Russian lands were a constant irritant and resulted in the enslavement of many of the Tsar's subjects, who were sold on the Kazakh steppe.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1736, urged on by Kirilov, the Kazakhs of the Lesser and Middle Hordes launched raids into Bashkir lands, killing or capturing many Bashkirs in the Siberian and Nogay districts.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1743, an order was given by the senate in response to the failure to defend against the Kazakh attack on a Russian settlement, which resulted in 14 Russians killed, 24 wounded. In addition, 96 Cossacks were captured by Kazakhs.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1755, Nepliuev tried to enlist Kazakh support by ending the reprisal raids and promising that the Kazakhs could keep the Bashkir women and children living among them (a long-standing point of contention between Nepliuev and Khan Nurali of the Junior Jüz). Thousands of Bashkirs would be massacred or taken captive by Kazakhs over the course of the uprising, whether in an effort to demonstrate loyalty to the Tsarist state, or as a purely opportunistic maneuver.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In the period between 1764 and 1803, according to data collected by the Orenburg Commission, twenty Russian caravans were attacked and plundered. Kazakh raiders attacked even big caravans which were accompanied by numerous guards.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In summer 1774, when Russian troops in the Kazan region were suppressing the rebellion led by the Cossack leader Pugachev, the Kazakhs launched more than 240 raids and captured many Russians and herds along the border of Orenburg.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: In 1799, the biggest Russian caravan which was plundered at that time lost goods worth 295,000 rubles.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: By 1830, the Russian government estimated that two hundred Russians were kidnapped and sold into slavery in Khiva every year.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: There were accounts of Russian Cossack raids that captured Kazakh families, which were then taken to Petropavlovsk and Omsk, where they were sold to wealthy Russian land owners into serfdom.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: By the end of 18th century, the lands of Kazakh Junior Jüz (or Junior Horde) were incorporated into the Russian Empire, and raids by Kazakhs on Russian colonies has gradually declined and stopped.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: On May 23, 1808, Governor Peter Kaptzevich signed an order that freed all slave or serf Kazakhs of both genders who reached the age of 25.


title: Kazakh Khanate

text: At major markets in Bukhara, Samarkand, Karakul, Karshi and Charju, slaves consisted mainly of Iranians and Russians, and some Kalmuks; they were brought there by Turkmen, Kazakh and Kyrgyz. A notorious slave market for captured Russian and Persian slaves was centered in the Khanate of Khiva from the 17th to the 19th century. During the first half of the 19th century alone, some one million Persians, as well as an unknown number of Russians, were enslaved and transported to Central Asian khanates. When Russian troops took Khiva in 1873 there were 29,300 Persian slaves, captured by Turkoman raiders. According to Josef Wolff (Report of 1843–1845) the population of the Khanate of Bukhara was 1,200,000, of whom 200,000 were Persian slaves.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: The GMC Hummer EV (also known as Hummer EV and badged as H) is a line of battery electric full-size vehicles produced by General Motors under the GMC marque, and its own sub-brand. The Hummer EV line was introduced in October 2020 with the unveiling of the pickup truck (SUT) model. The sport utility vehicle (SUV) model was unveiled in April 2021. As of Q3 2022, 783 units have been delivered to customers.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: The GMC Hummer EV originates from the discontinued Hummer brand (stylized HUMMER), previously owned by General Motors. AM General created the hummer brand. Previously, they manufacturered the HUMVEE light military vehicle. On June 1, 2009, the company revealed that the Hummer brand would be discontinued as a part of the General Motors bankruptcy announcement.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: Arriving to the production line in 2022, Edition 1 is the sole model available for the first year and is considered to be a limited edition that was available for pre-order by the end of the launch event on October 20, 2020. All Edition 1 units are white with a black roof and feature bronze-colored wheels. The interior is a two-tone black-and-gray with bronze accents and Edition 1 badges. The Edition 1 will also feature Easter eggs themed after the Apollo 11 moon landing.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: Edition 1 has three electric motors with , of range, and comes fully loaded with the Extreme Off-Road package, which includes 35-inch mud-terrain tires, skid plates, and rock sliders.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: The Hummer EV Edition 1 sold out in the first 10 minutes of opening the pre-orders. Initial sales of the Edition 1 were delayed, but were later available in 2022.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: One of the exclusive features introduced with the Hummer EV, coming standard in Edition 1, is the new "Crab Walk", which allows the Hummer EV to travel diagonally by using a four-wheel steer. Edition 1 also includes UltraVision underbody cameras for easier off-road maneuverability and visibility, Watts to Freedom system, adaptive air suspension, steel underbody armor, Extract Mode (lifts the suspension six inches for more clearance), Super Cruise (GM's driver assistance system that allows for automatic lane change and hands-free driving on compatible highways that have been mapped by GM), a digital key, removable roof panels, and GMC's MultiPro Tailgate.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: In Extract Mode, approach, departure, and breakover angles (the greatest slope angle the vehicle can begin climbing, drive off of, and crest a hill, respectively) are 49.7, 38.4 and 32.2 degrees respectively. Ground clearance is and maximum water fording depth is . GMC estimates wall-climbing ability at 18 inches and suspension travel at 13 inches.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: Includes all the features of EV; however, it will also come standard with 4-wheel steer, Crab Walk, adaptive air suspension with adaptive ride control, and optional Extract mode. This trim will output an estimated 625hp using a dual motor system, will have an estimated 300+ miles of range, and is expected to be available in Spring of 2023.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: This is the base Hummer EV trim which will include super cruise, HD surround view, digital key, infinity roof, a multi pro tailgate, and rear drop glass among other standard features. The EV will output an estimated using a dual motor system, with an estimates 250+ miles of range. It is expected to be available Spring 2024.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: The Hummer EV is produced at GM's Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly plant in Michigan. Production of the Hummer EV SUT commenced on November 17, 2021. The Hummer EV SUV is expected to start production in early 2023. GM recently invested $2.2 billion in the plant for the production of these electric vehicles.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: On January 30, 2020, GM released three "Quiet Revolution" theme teasers of the Hummer EV. These teaser releases were followed up with the first marketing launch with Super Bowl LIV ads on February 2, 2020, with LeBron James as the spokesperson.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: The reveal, which was scheduled for May 20, 2020, release, was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was revealed on October 20, 2020, instead, with reservations opening the same day.


title: GMC Hummer EV

text: Additionally, the October 20 reveal event was viewable not only on the GMC website, but also via livestream on YouTube, and through a number of short film-styled advertisements run during Game 1 of the 2020 World Series and the premiere of Season 19 of NBC's "The Voice".


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Playing with Fire is a 2019 American family comedy film directed by Andy Fickman from a screenplay by Dan Ewen and Matt Lieberman based on a story by Ewen. The film stars John Cena, Keegan-Michael Key, John Leguizamo, Dennis Haysbert, Brianna Hildebrand and Judy Greer, and follows a group of smokejumpers who must watch over three children who have been separated from their parents following an accident.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: The film was theatrically released by Paramount Pictures on November 8, 2019, in the United States. It is the third Walden Media film from Nickelodeon Movies, after "Charlotte's Web" and "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" (the latter was also released in 2019). The film grossed $68 million worldwide with a budget of $29 million, and received mostly negative reviews from critics.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Superintendent Jake Carson is the commanding officer of a group of smokejumpers in the remote California woodlands. Carson is capable in a crisis and takes tremendous pride in his work, diving into dangerous situations to rescue civilians alongside his team – overtly loyal Mark Rogers, nervy and neurotic Rodrigo Torres, and "Axe", a huge mute who carries his fireman's pulaski everywhere.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: After rescuing three children from a burning cabin, Carson is contacted by Division Commander Richards. Richards praises his work and shortlists him to be his replacement, Carson's dream job.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Rogers warns Carson they are responsible for the children's welfare (15-year-old Brynn, 10-year-old Will, and 3-year-old Zoey) under the "Safe Haven Laws", requiring law enforcement and first responders to care for children until they are released to a parent or guardian. He leaves a voicemail for the children's mother who texts back saying that they are on their way. Carson's attempts to complete his application for division commander are undermined by the children running haywire around the station, and the arrival of his ex, environmental Doctor Amy Hicks, a local who protests the smokejumpers taking water from endangered toad habitats to fight fires. She refuses Carson's attempt to offload the children onto her.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Despite the mayhem, the rest of the smokejumpers begin to bond with the children: toddler Zoey warms up to the brutish Axe and Torres teaches Will how to navigate dangerous situations. Brynn pays lip service to Rogers' admiration of Carson, then stages an escape on the station's ATV, spilling oil and slashing tires to prevent chase. Carson catches them by off-roading on a little girl's bike, cornering the children on a dirt road.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Will prompts Brynn to admit they are orphans on the run from foster care, avoiding their separation. The text messages were from Brynn herself. The group camp out overnight and Carson promises to hold off calling Child Services until after Zoey's birthday in two days.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: The group go all out preparing Zoey's birthday, and the four smokejumpers buy presents for Brynn and Will as well. Carson then tells Will a bedtime story about a yeti who was married to his job, had a son and then died on the job because he was distracted by having a family. Brynn and Hicks are both touched by the thinly veiled story of Carson's life. The overboard birthday party is interrupted by the unexpected arrival of both Richards and Child Services. The children flee in Richards' car, running it off the road right on a cliff. Brynn gets trapped in her seat belt. Carson parachutes down to rescue them and with Will's help, he frees Brynn before the car rolls off the cliff.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Back at the station, Hicks and the other smokejumpers bid an emotional farewell to the children. Richards tells Carson that family can be a source of support and that there is more to life than working. Inspired, Carson refuses to release the children to Child Services under the Safe Haven laws and proposes a plan to adopt all three of them. Sometime later, Carson and Hicks get married with the smokejumpers and their adopted children in attendance.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: The film was announced in October 2018 when John Cena was cast to star in the film. Andy Fickman was hired to direct the next month.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: By January 2019, Brianna Hildebrand, Judy Greer, Keegan-Michael Key, Edoardo Carfora, Christian Convery, and John Leguizamo joined the cast. Rob Gronkowski was offered a role in the film but turned it down due to scheduling conflicts. Joe Manganiello was cast but was cut from the film.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Filming began on February 4, 2019, in Burnaby, British Columbia, and concluded on March 29. Visual effects and animation were done in post-production by Industrial Light & Magic.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: The film was originally set to be released on March 20, 2020, but it was later moved up to November 8, 2019, taking over the original release date of "Sonic the Hedgehog", which was later delayed to February 14, 2020.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: "Playing with Fire" grossed $44.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $24.2 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $68.6 million.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside "Doctor Sleep", "Midway" and "Last Christmas", and was projected to gross $7–10 million from 3,125 theaters in its opening weekend. It made $3.6 million on its first day, including $500,000 from Thursday night previews. It went on to debut to $12.8 million, beating projections, and also finishing third at the box office. In its second weekend the film made $8.6 million, finishing fourth behind "Ford v Ferrari", "Midway" and "Charlie's Angels".


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of based on reviews, with an average rating of . Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 24 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed at PostTrak gave it an average 2.5 out of 5 stars.


title: Playing with Fire (2019 film)

text: Wendy Ide for "The Observer" gave the film one star, describing the premise as "beyond inept" and calling it "(a) late contender for the worst movie of the year".


title: Cumberland

text: Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 1974 until 2023, Cumberland lay within Cumbria, a larger administrative area which also covered Westmorland and parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire. In April 2023, Cumberland will be revived as an administrative entity when Cumbria County Council is abolished and replaced by two unitary authorities; one of these is to be named Cumberland and will include most of the historic county, with the exception of Penrith and the surrounding area.


title: Cumberland

text: Cumberland is bordered by the historic counties of Northumberland to the north-east, County Durham to the east, Westmorland to the south-east, Lancashire to the south, and the Scottish counties of Dumfriesshire and Roxburghshire to the north.


title: Cumberland

text: In the Early Middle Ages, Cumbria was part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde in the Hen Ogledd, or "Old North", and its people spoke a Brittonic language now called Cumbric. The first record of the term 'Cumberland' appears in AD 945, when the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" recorded that the area was ceded to Malcolm I, king of Alba (Scotland), by King Edmund I of England. As with , the native Welsh name for Wales, the names 'Cumberland' and 'Cumbria' are derived from "kombroges" in Common Brittonic, which originally meant "compatriots".


title: Cumberland

text: At the time of the Domesday Book (AD 1086) most of the future county was part of Scotland, although some villages around Millom, which were the possessions of the Earl of Northumbria, had been incorporated into Yorkshire.


title: Cumberland

text: In AD 1092, King William Rufus of England invaded the Carlisle district, settling it with colonists. He created an Earldom of Carlisle, and granted the territory to Ranulf le Meschin. In 1133, Carlisle was made the see of a new diocese, largely identical with the area of the earldom. However, on the death of King Henry I of England in 1135, the area was regained by King David I of Scotland. He was able to consolidate his power and made Carlisle one of his chief seats of government, while England descended into a lengthy civil war. The Cumbric language is believed to have become extinct in the 12th century.