Nivan was a nation on pre-industrial Bajor. It existed on the planet's largest continent, although it was only connected by a small land bridge. The nation had very few forests. When the dictator Gordach tried to conquer Nivan, the Nivanites started a fire, burning all their possessions, and thus Gordach's armies were stuck as they had no navy. The fire burned out after five days, after which an army of people from lands conquered by Gordach rose up in support of the Nivanites and overthrew Gordach. The people of Nivan were not known as warriors, but studied science, philosophy and art. They were not expected to last even a day again Gordach.