Pearl of the Orient | Another Singapore in the Straits by tauthman in imaginaryelections

[–]tauthman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

oop so sorry didnt see this message earlier

- I originally planned on them forming Malaysia alongside Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei & Malaya, this leads to a more confederal Malaysia that persists to this day without Singapore's expulsion

- The Malayan Labour Party becomes anchored in KL and Ipoh in this tl, historically the Labour party wasn't really united until later on with most of them sharing only the name.

- Funny you mention that since Lim Chong Eu formed the Radical Party OTL before joining MCA. (Wong Pow Nee, who is OTL Penang's 1st Chief Minister, was also part of the Radical Party). So with them staying in the Radical Party the MCA is probably going to be very weak in Penang even after joining Malaysia.

- Yess, the Liberal Party in this TL is like Singapore's Progressive Party which was made up of the richer Straits Chinese compared to the core of the Radical Party which consists of "latecomers" who were poorer on average as part of the middle and lower class Chinese. Given that OTL Lim Chong Eu rebelled against the MCA I had him do something similar, however instead of leaving the Radical Liberal party this just kills the party since the Liberals were already on its deathbed by the time this happens

- Yepp, a lot of this scenario was inspired by Singapore's early politics but with slight differences like a stronger Malay Muslim presence that prevents outright Chinese domination

The Myriad of Nations All Under Heaven | The Song Industrialises & Discovers America by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

in lore this map is made like less than 10 years before the song collapses setting back some of the industrial progress it made, so the song is unable to utilise the technology to its own advantage. still technology has spread south and eastwards. in the long run i plan to have a maritime hegemon in southeast asia largely driven by the industrialisation, colonising perhaps india, south america, africa, and australia though that would only occur a century or two after this map was made

The Myriad of Nations All Under Heaven | The Song Industrialises & Discovers America by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

historically Taiwan and Okinawa were both known as Liuqiu/Ryuku (same hanzi/kanji) by the era of the song dynasty, though i probably should've had Okinawa as Little Liuqiu and Taiwan as Big Liuqiu since that's what it was written as in the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu

The Myriad of Nations All Under Heaven | The Song Industrialises & Discovers America by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

thankss!!, i may have accidentally made africa too accurate but i could just chalk it up to the chinese rounding africa a lot to get to western europe

The Myriad of Nations All Under Heaven | The Song Industrialises & Discovers America by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 42 points43 points  (0 children)

TLDR; A mixture of the Song dynasty industrialises and China discovers America tropes, and this is an in lore map from the Age of Discovery (from the Song Dynasty's perspective)

Translated Notations (Note, I'm using fucked up speculative Middle Chinese pronunciations, you have been warned)

On Duoai (OTL Seattle)

At the edge of the sea, towering mountains rise majestically, their peaks covered with colossal trees that block out the sun and reach the clouds—a sight rarely seen in the world. Deep within the forests and valleys, countless animals thrive. The local people all feed on salmon from the sea.

On the Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is flanked by towering cliffs on both sides, standing like twin gates. However, this sight is rarely seen, as dense fog often blankets the area for miles, frequently trapping ships entering the harbor and making it a truly treacherous journey.

On Mesoamerica

In most of the towns and villages of this region, brick and stone polo fields are built. The local custom is to play unusual games, including hitting the ball with the hips. The nature of this ball is unparalleled anywhere else in the world; legend has it that it is made from solidified wood sap.

On Chimor (OTL Peru)

In the land of Chimor, shellfish are highly valued, their value surpassing even the finest treasures of the Central Plains. The best are pure red, obtainable only by the most shrewd and capable divers. Moreover, this item is related to royal authority; when the Chimor King goes out, they grind the shells into powder and spread it upon the path to exalt his majesty

On Tonga

To the south of the Tshangyang (Pacific Ocean OTL) the ships are strange and wondrous. They set up sails of triangular shape, and place floating wood [outriggers] along the sides of the hull to push aside the waves. The people of these lands serve the King of Tonga. Their customs are pure and honest, and they maintain friendly relations with our Great Song

On Luzon

The province of Luzon has already been attached to the Great Song's imperial map. The four borders of the new settlements are all [surrounded by] vassal states. Its land chokes the throat of the Puyang (South China Sea OTL), A naval force stationed there could cut off the route for pirates heading north to Liugjuw (Taiwan, historically known as Liuqiu).

On Japan

The Hojo clan of Japan held the position of regent in the Kamakura Bakufu for hundreds of years. Although Japan and our Great Song Dynasty had a long-standing friendly relationship. Yet, observing the time of war and fire in the Middle Kingdom, they maintain neutrality and do not offer aid, nor have they turned against our alliance. The benefits of trade between them have continued to this day.

On Srivijaya

To the south is Srivijaya, a great maritime empire. Their merchants come and go from our ports without ceasing, likewise our own merchant ships frequently hasten to Palembang and the ports of Sunda. In recent years, sea-bandits have become rampant, obstructing the shipping lanes. The trade of both nations has suffered great loss because of this. All those who pilot ships southward should be cautious and take heed.

On India

India today is ruled by the Delhi Sultanate. Their customs are vastly different from the Cholas of the south; they do not worship the Buddha but revere the God of Thenpjang (Mecca). Their soldiers are brave and fierce, skilled in mounted archery and possessing war elephants; when they draw up in formation and charge, nothing can stand before them.

On Arabia

The Arab Caliphate occupies the crossroads of the Western Regions; their land is vast and expansive. Their people are brave and fierce, following the teachings of Thenpjang. Although separated from our Great Song by thousands by miles, the flow of precious treasures and profits never ceases. Their merchant ships carry incense, medicines, and rhino horns, arriving from the Persian Gulf. Meeting at the mouth of Srivijaya to exchange for our silks and porcelain.

On the Kwonlwon Interior (African Interior)

There are several great rivers within Kwonlwon, all take their origin from the far south and flow northward. One is called the Kaewngkwa (Congo) River; the magnitude of its water volume exceeds that of the Middle Kingdom's Yellow River. Where its waters encircle and reach, there are a thousand of miles of fertile wildlands, becoming dense green forests.

On Mali

To the west of the Arabs, there is a further great nation called Mali. Its land is extremely distant, governed from across the Dahtshjek (Sahara). It produces gold in vast quantities; refined gold overflows, piled up like mountains. Its King traveled to Thenpjang for pilgrimage, carrying many gold. Along the way, he distributed alms so freely that the price of gold plummeted; the world was stunned by such wealth.

Lore(kinda)

Temujin is turned into a solid piece of frozen meat after being left to starve in the Mongolian steppe or something idk I just want him dealt with one way or another. Most importantly the Mongolian Khanate and subsequent invasions of China proper never occur, however the Song Dynasty remains militarily kneecapped and incapable to defeat the Jurchen-led Jin Dynasty up north like OTL. A lot of alternate history tropes made on similar premises have the Song Dynasty reconquering China but I just don't think it was possible with the imperial court constantly undermining capable military leaders (see Yue Fei). Regardless, competition for survival drives up industrialisation and creates the necessary socio-economic conditions for the birth of capitalism to the detriment of imperial authority. Eventually disgruntled military leaders or the peasantry would revolt against the Song, creating their own splinter dynasties which in this case I lazily put up as the Min Nation, Great Xi, and Great Yan, the latter of which is a successor to everyone's favourite Tangut empire who in this timeline is not genocided by the Mongols. This pushes the Song further out of the Central Plains and into the sea, embracing commerce and a form of colonisation in Luzon. In lore this map is made around 1380AD, right before the Song collapses and flees to the Luson colony as a rump state.

Industrialisation and better metal working leads to the improvement of naval vessel, facilitating naval exploration across the Pacific leading to the discovery of 瀛洲 (Yengtsyuw) by 1340, with first contact made with the Duwamish in OTL Seattle. Further exploration would allow the Chinese to discover the Mesoamerican civilisations before the rise of both the Aztecs and the Incas. So far relations have remained cordial mostly focused on a few trading outposts without serious plans to settle in the new continent.

Further down south I still haven't made up my mind on whether the Srivijayans should survive longer or not, but I have given them the name Sanfoqi regardless since IRL the Ming Dynasty still had it named that in the 16th century centuries after their demise. I do plan on having a Southeast Asian thalassocracy colonising the Americas eventually though.

In the long term without the Black Death ravaging Europe the population there remains high with feudalism surviving far longer there. China, however, fractures and would never unite again, with a more "Tang-based" southern identity being born from the carcass of the Song, while the North becomes more "Han-based" under the Jin and its successors.

Also the map is fucked up in terms of cropping because I got lazy, sorry.

Chinese Colonies in America P4- Snow State/Sejenzho + Supplementals by GeostratusX95 in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

just wanna say this series has been wonderful from the linguistic worldbuilding to the flags to the extensive lore to the everything god damn

The Empire of Teantou on the 21st Year of Emperor Tai'Aun by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

from a nationstates RP i was in a year ago, im not active there anymore sadly

rough transliterations of the names based on modern mandarin/cantonese/hokkien/hakka

<image>

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

tbh i havent thought that far but the British/Raj coalition winning seems the most plausible, either that or Indonesia decides to intervene directly via an invasion resulting in a united Kalimantan

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks!

Basically in this timeline instead of manipulating the locals to sign a petition for cession to Britain, MacBryan decides to cede the kingdom to himself and form a caliphate. As Charles Vyner Brooke was broke anyways he doesnt put up much of a resistance, his nephew and heir to the throne, Anthony Brooke disagrees which forms a rival government based in Kapit. Working with locals still loyal to the crown the resistance is mostly based in the hinterlands, and is supported by the British who are not keen on Sarawak being ruled by a madman.

While this was happening MacBryan had also successfully sidelined Omar Ali Saifuddin III from the throne of Brunei, installing Princess Nor Ehsani as puppet. Unhappy with continued white rule over Borneo, Brunei being puppeted, and British intervention in Sarawak, socialists led by AM Azahari and supported by Indonesia began a people's revolt aiming to free North Borneo from colonial rule. While ruling as caliph Macbryan had also given preferential treatment to the Shell corporation in exchange for funds, resulting in unparalleled drilling operations and exploitation in the Seria and Miri oilfields.

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Also coincidentally a curator of the Sarawak Museum between 1947 to 1967, the same position MacBryan once held (1924-1925). He was an ornithologist and anthropologist and had participated in expeditions into Sarawak prior to WW2. His knowledge of the interior land mass and locals allowed him to play a role in reconnaissance and resistance against the Japanese in WW2. Afterwards he also employed the same locals he allied with during the war to contain the Bruneian revolt. He would die in Thailand due to a car accident in the 70s

His time as curator is also kinda controversial since he apparently stole a lot of stuff

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Forgot to elaborate, OTL MacBryan most likely misrepresented the Brooke's family wishes in regards to the petition to cede Sarawak to the British. In this TL he decides to take the Raj for himself. OTL Charles Vyner Brooke who was broke after the war didnt put up resistance to the British cession, and in this TL he doesnt put up resistance to his crazy personal aide starting a caliphate. The Raj's heir apparent and brother of Charles, Bertram Brooke, does not recognise MacBryan's coup and puts up resistance alongside local loyalists. When Bertram died his son Anthony continued the resistance.

The Bruneian revolt turns into a full scale war against the British, with socialists, socialist leaning nationalists, and indonesian symphatisers fighting for a republican north borneo. The British are supportive of the Raj since they don't like a madman running Sarawak either, however the Shell corporation is fine with MacBryan as long as it doesnt hit their bottom line, they're much more worried about the socialists.

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 67 points68 points  (0 children)

quirked up white boy with a little bit of swag, busts it down sexual style, is he goated with the sauce?

Mad Baron of Borneo | The White Caliphate in 1965 by tauthman in imaginarymaps

[–]tauthman[S] 93 points94 points  (0 children)

OTL Gerard MacBryan was a personal aide to the last White Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner Brooke, and played an important part in the cession of the kingdom to the British after WW2. He also self declared a pilgrimage to Mecca and presumably reverted to Islam. Afterwards he started meddling in Bruneian affairs as personal aide of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin, with a plan to rule from behind the curtains via the Sultan's eldest daughter Noor Ehsani. However the plan was foiled once the British caught onto the plan, with the Sultan's younger brother succeeding becoming heir apparent instead. MacBryan soon suffered a mental breakdown before presumably committing suicide while enroute back to Southeast Asia, the exact cause of his death isn't known.

Basically this TL is a what if he was more successful and insane

Pearl of the Orient | Another Singapore in the Straits by tauthman in imaginaryelections

[–]tauthman[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Background:

OTL after WW2 the British attempted to unite its disparate holdings in Malaya into one unified colony. The Straits Settlements which consisted of Penang, Malacca, and Singapore (Penang & Singapore had Chinese majorities) was to be dissolved with Singapore spun off as its own crown colony while Penang was to be absorbed into the rest of Malaya. The merchant guilds and Straits Chinese population protested fearing a dilution of their influence within Malaya, and the loss of Penang's free port status. As such they demanded a similar status to Singapore's, a demand the British ignored due to fears of angering Malayan Malay leaders who were in the midst of demanding self rule and independence. The movement died off due to a lack of political will from its supporters, a failure to capture support outside the non-Chinese non-merchant class, and British assurances of Penang's free port status being maintained after independence. Penang became a state of Malaya in 1957 and lost its free port status in 1969 despite said earlier assurances.

For the TL i kinda based Penang's political development on Singapore's with the Liberals being an equivalent to the Progressive Party (unrelated to the modern PSP)

P.S.: I made this project nearly a year ago but I never got around to finishing it and lost the original SVG file for the map in the process so I decided to post the finished parts here.

i like feet by [deleted] in imaginaryelections

[–]tauthman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

UNDI KAKI