Alternate History Thread IV: The Sequel

[Kal'thzar]

However, this is emering as one argument in favour of Ireland as the new leader of the Celtic Reformed bloc.

Well that will be intresting as it plays out.

As a matter of fact, yes, Scotland does control Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Awesome "Alexandria of the North"

 

[Oruc]

Bloody Celts should be shot, their all a bunch of terrorists.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Bloody Celts should be shot, their all a bunch of terrorists.

Didn't you watch Braveheart? Or The Patriot? The English are EVIL. Also notice how the Romans are often given english accents in movies. Thats because they were really English too. The English killed Jesus and have been oppressing people around the world for thousands of years. Don't think they've given up plotting, either. Its only a matter of time before all those rebel colonies are returned to the Crown.

Only William Wallace can save us.

 

[Israelite9191]

. The English killed Jesus

Nah, that was us.

 

[Daftpanzer]

Nah, that was us.

I maintain that English redcoat soldiers were actually responsible!

 

[Supermath]

Well you can't be resurrected if you're still alive.

 

[Symphony D.]

Also notice how the Romans are often given english accents in movies. Thats because they were really English too.

Don't forget Nazis in Indiana Jones movies.

 

[Terrance888]

Bah! 'Anglish' area germanic tribe! So are Nazi 'Aryans' are Germanic! 'Troyjans' are migrating Germanic Tribes! 'Romans' are almost dead but still alive Troyjans. They are all Germanic... So is Napoleon, Iberia, and parts of greece.

 

[Disenfrancised]

Don't forget Nazis in Indiana Jones movies.

Actually we English/British have been evil before the Romans existed, a long long time ago...

 

[Terrance888]

The Galactic Empire!

Capital: Galactia (misunderstood phrase ie Romans)

 

[Dachs]

Actually we English/British have been evil before the Romans existed, a long long time ago...

Hey, not all Imperials are bad! By the time Emperor Fel comes around, the Remnant isn't a bad place to live. And the capital of the Empire was Imperial Center (Coruscant), and after that I can't find any real mention of a "capital" until Byss in Dark Empire, and after that of course is Bastion until we retook Coruscant...then the stupid Sith stabbed us...bloody hell.

Yeah, this is definitely on topic.

 

[das]

So. Anyone got any good ideas as to how we could make Vaishnavism into the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent?

Personally I'm thinking that this could come about in one of those Islam-less worlds, if the polytheistic Turks were to advance into northern India (on the account that every sufficiently strong Central Asian power has done that) and take over the Gangetic Plain. Then they could pick up Vaishnavism as a convenient state cult; plus I think it might be easier for Turks to adapt than most other versions of Hinduism, though that's hard to really back up (it just seems close enough to Tengriism). Then again, it seems to have been more widespread in the south, and having it as the religion of foreign conquerors might not be the best way to cement it in the long-term amongst the general population (still doable, though). So maybe some great empire based in northern Deccan could've arisen at some point in the Middle Ages? Any thoughts?

 

[Kal'thzar]

Assuming no islam; Won't they initially be put under the infulence of Zoroastrianism first then? So would you not need Vaishnavism to make inroads into Sassanids (or successor Kingdoms?).

I'm sure Dachs sees some nice butterflies he wants to play with regarding teh Byz's.

 

[Thlayli]

Hmm...this calls to mind the three-way struggle between the Gurjara Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, and Palas for control over Kanauj.

If you entered some dynastic fiddling into the equation, that could turn into a religious conflict between Vaishnavism, Hinduism, and Buddhism (the Palas being the last officially Buddhist Indian dynasty) with some interesting results.

 

[das]

Won't they initially be put under the infulence of Zoroastrianism first then?

Not necessarily; Zoroastrianism doesn't seem to have been all that successful at spreading outside of Persia, and certainly wasn't prevalent in Central Asia. They could easily have remained pagan there, and absorbed Indian religion after invading.

So would you not need Vaishnavism to make inroads into Sassanids (or successor Kingdoms?).

I fear that would be ridiculous.

If you entered some religious fiddling into the equation, that could turn into a three-way struggle between Vaishnavism, Hinduism, and Buddhism (the Palas being the last officially Buddhist Indian dynasty) with some interesting results.

I really don't think Indian religion works that way. Not at that point in time, anyway; ofcourse, the purpose of this PoD is to eventually make it work differently, though I suspect that the Buddhists still won't get hurt.

Could we make the Palas Vaishnavist at an early time? I must admit I don't trust the Rashtrakutas as much; they were devout, but it seems to have been a more traditional kind of Hinduism. That would also have the funny side-effect of marginalising Buddhism, though it will probably remain a factor.

 

[silver 2039]

If you entered some dynastic fiddling into the equation, that could turn into a religious conflict between Vaishnavism, Hinduism, and Buddhism (the Palas being the last officially Buddhist Indian dynasty) with some interesting results.

Vashnivisim is Hinduisim, just a different sect of it. All that means is that they worship Vishnu as the chief god. So it basically means they shout VISHNU!! VISHNU!! during festivals instead of SHIVA!! SHIVA!!

I don't really understand what the purpose of the PoD would be. Are you trying to make Hinduisim more monotheistic or something? If so try Shaktisim maybe....actually no...Indian religons dont' lend themselves well to that sort of thing.

 

[das]

The point is indeed to have an organised monotheistic version of Hinduism prevail. Vaishnavism is really the best option for that; Shaktism is a wholly different kind of sect, though, and it doesn't lend itself to such engineering as necessary for the purposes of the scenario quite as well.

Note that under monotheism I do not mean that it is supposed to be a clone of the Abrahamic religions, though it will ofcourse be more similar to those than traditional Hinduism. Still, I wouldn't say that the differences would be solely cosmetic once we're through with it; besides, Vaishnavism is very different from Shaivism as it is.

 

[silver 2039]

What if the Fashoda Incident had lead to war between Britain and France in 1898?

 

[Thlayli]

TBH, it's rather unlikely. You'd probably have limited colonial skirmishing, and some bombardment of Algiers and other North African cities. A lot of proxy wars between state-supported native tribes and auxiliary armies as well.

 

[silver 2039]

Well even if it was a colonial war it would have major implications for Anglo-French relations would it not? The entante cordiale might never come to exist....and that has a load of implications.