| Founded | Late 15th Century |
| Location | |
| Key figures | |
| Impact on history | Fundamental reshape of colonization and transatlantic trade |
| Major expeditions | |
| Major achievements | Maritime power development • Integration of African and European trade networks • Advancements in human knowledge through exploration • Introduction of the constitution and representative democracy |
| Type of government | Constitutional representative democracy |
The Maurayan Empire was a powerful maritime power that emerged near the end of the 15th century in West Africa. Steeped in maritime traditions and centered in modern-day Nigeria, the Maurayans initially unified under the leadership of the Ogunsola family and soon extended their reach across the Atlantic and Indian oceans. By the 17th century, this empire had developed advanced naval technologies, launched major voyages of discovery, and established a form of representative democracy and constitutional governance.
The Maurayan Empire was formed around 1480 by the Ogunsola family, a Yoruba kingdom steeped in maritime traditions and located near the Benin coast. The region was rich in natural resources, including crude oil and copper, essential for naval technologies. Over the centuries, trans-Saharan trade routes fueled its economic growth, and the Ogunsolas ingeniously integrated these trade networks with existing African and Atlantic trade routes. They fostered the growth of ports along the Benin Gulf and supported researchers developing new naval technologies.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Maurayans continued to expand and strengthen their naval capabilities. They raided and acquired coastal territories, including the Mediterranean island of Sicily, effectively controlling European and African maritime trade. The Empire unified several West African city-states, including Kano, Timbuktu, and Ifat, into a single political entity with a centralized administrative system.
The Maurayans were known for their innovation and embracing technological advancements, particularly in naval technology. They pioneered the use of ironclad ships and developed naval artillery. By utilizing local materials, including wood, metals, and natural oils, the Maurayans also established large shipyards that produced more advanced and reliable ships than their European counterparts.
The Maurayan shipyards produced Man-o-War-type ironclad vessels, capable of withstanding terrible storms and armed with deadly naval artillery. Some ships proved so sturdy that they remained chemically intact for centuries, despite undergoing several grueling sea voyages. In contrast, many traditional European naval vessels would remain vulnerable to the treacherous Atlantic Ocean, making long-distance European voyages rare and risky undertakings.
By reducing the risk of maritime travel, the Maurayan navy not only secured their chief port towns but also enabled far-reaching navigational endeavors. Eager to find new markets and resources beyond their Atlantic and Indian Ocean territories, Maurayan fleets aimed westward towards the unknown. They discovered new lands in the Caribbean, established trade routes with Cuba, Hispaniola, and later the Bahamas, whereas European explorers struggled to secure safe travel paths to these regions for decades to come.
Meanwhile, another Maurayan fleet headed towards the Pacific and reached the islands of Hawaii and Samoa. These fleets facilitated trade routes with Eastern and Southern Africa, Indonesia, and even China, effectively giving rise to a global maritime trading network whereby the Maurayans held considerable sway.
Intriguingly, while the Maurayans were expanding their territorial and navigational reach, their political system had also evolved to accommodate these developments. In stark contrast to the centralized monarchies of Europe and Asia, the Maurayans introduced constitutional governance and a representative democracy.
Under the system of constitutional governance, a written legal document, known as the Charter of Liberties, outlined the individual rights and duties of Maurayan citizens, as well as the powers and limitations of the state. Moreover, the Maurayan system of representative democracy elected local officials based on restricted suffrage, where property-owning citizens took part in decision making. This political system effectively created checks and balances, preventing tyranny, and allowing the Maurayan Empire to maintain harmonious relations within its vast territories.
Had the Maurayan Empire emerged in our timeline, it could have dramatically altered global history. Competing European nations would have been forced to reconsider how they approached the colonization of the Americas, as the Maurayans already had existing trade networks and held considerable sway over territories that the Europeans coveted. By forging one of humanity's greatest global empires, the Maurayans would have notably shaped the course of history, compelling the world to imagine new possibilities for technology, industry, and political systems.
