| Type | Archipelago |
| Location | |
| Economic role | Global trade hub |
| Historical era | |
| Cultural impact | Center of Islamic thought • Regional cultural exchange hub |
| Present-day states | Indonesia • Malaysia • Singapore • Philippines • Brunei • East Timor |
| Political landscape | Independent sultanates • Confederation of kings and sultans • Independent states |
| Religious influence |
The Indonesian Archipelago is a region in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific Ocean consisting of thousands of islands spread across over 1.9 million square kilometers (740,000 square miles). In an alternate timeline, the region evolved very differently from Indonesia in our reality.
In this timeline, the Indonesian Archipelago was never colonized by European powers. Instead, the islands were home to a series of independent sultanates, each ruled by its own hereditary monarch. These sultanates traded extensively with regional powers such as China, India, and Arabia, and by the late 15th century, many had converted to Islam.
By the 1600s, a confederation of sultans and kings emerged in the archipelago, allowing the region to maintain its independence and prosperity. The confederation held a strategic trading position between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, giving them access to goods from around the world.
As a key crossroads for Asian and European trade, the Indonesian Archipelago thrived economically in this timeline. The ports of Malacca, Jambi, and Aceh became major centers for trade, helping to spread goods and ideas across the region. Spices, textiles, and ceramics were among the most valuable exports, and the archipelago also served as a key stop on the Silk Road.
Islam was the dominant religion in the Indonesian Archipelago, and the region became a hub for Islamic scholarship and thought. Cities like Palembang and Jambi were home to prestigious madrasas, where students from across the region studied theology, philosophy, and law. The sultanates also produced a number of important writers, including poets like Hamzah Fansuri and Rumi Abdullah.
In this timeline, the Indonesian Archipelago remained a collection of independent states for most of its history. The confederation of kings and sultans was dissolved in the late 1700s after a series of internal conflicts, leaving each sultanate to govern its own affairs. In modern times, the archipelago consists of numerous independent states, each with its own form of government.
Today, the Indonesian Archipelago is a prosperous region with a diverse range of cultures and political systems. Some states, like Sumatra, have maintained their traditional monarchies, while others, like Java, have embraced democracy. The region's strategic location and rich history continue to make it a key player in global affairs.
