Having played the original game to 1541 without an admin 7 ruler, I decided to start over and played a similar game up to 1475. This time I was fortunate enough to get a very long-lived Admin 7 ruler who presided over three tiers of westernization and the revolt to a despotic monarchy. Meanwhile, after the change of government, I built forts everywhere and conquered Mecca (for the extra prestige and missionary) and Mutapa. I also obtained my first National Idea: Military Drill. I consider the extra morale to be crucial for a country invading up the technological gradient.
Here's the state of world affairs as of 1475:
