Indonesia 1836-1845
Sultan 'Abd ar-Rahmân Shâh III stood on the balcony of the Imperial Palace gazing at the busy Malacca harbor. Having risen to such great heights in such a short time was no small feat for a once small trading nation in Southeast Asia and looking at the bustling ships and vibrant city below usually filled the Sultan with great pride in his nation and people.
However, the Sultan had a tremor of doubt today in the power of his nation. That doubt could be expressed in simple terms.
It was not enough.
Of course his thoughts turned to the damn Europeans. After all, it was a visit of a French warship in 1700 that had started his people on this path. Then Sultan Sulaymân Badr Shâh II had invited its captain and officers to dinner. Through shrewd table talk, the Sultan had gotten a realistic picture of French power and goals. After that, it was a simple matter to slip traders into the major European powers and the reports they sent back spurred the Sultan into action. There could be only one way to guarantee the independence Malacca for the future. His people must become like the Europeans in technology and drive while retaining their culture and religion.
So, Malacca had turned from trading to warfare. They had turned conquistador to insure their future. Assam, Bihar, Champa, Dai Viet, Bali, even the Dragon throne itself had fallen under the footsteps of Malacca until the nation had more power than any of its prior Sultans could have believed.
However, the other nations in the world had not stood still. They too had gathered power onto themselves until the whole world had been divided into seven nations. Each was more powerful and developed than Indonesia and thre Sultan no longer was confident his people could maintain their place.
Then below, in the courtyard, his son ran along the lawn. His eyes softened suddenly as his boy showed surprising speed as he ran, trying to outpace his handlers.
Then the Sultan eyes hardened. Here was a reason to fight, to struggle to preserve his lands and his people. he must be strong for his son until he could take his place as the next great Sultan.