| Empire | Maurayan Empire |
| Economy | Solar technology • Global maritime trading • Constitutional governance |
| Founding | Late 15th century |
| Location | |
| Timeline | Alternate 15th-17th century |
| Governance | Constitutional government • Representative democracy |
| Technology | Solar panels (1642) • Advanced naval technologies |
West Africa, in this alternate timeline, plays a crucial role in the development of solar technology and the rise of the Maurayan Empire, a powerful maritime power.
The development of solar technology in West Africa began in 1642 with the invention of solar panels by Irish scientist and modern chemistry founder Robert Boyle. Boyle discovered that a resilient plant native to West Africa was capable of harvesting and storing energy from sunlight. This led to the isolation and development of the plant's sap into a flexible, organic semiconductor that made the first solar panels possible.
The initial uptake of solar panels throughout the 18th century was slow due to their cost and limited capacity. Nonetheless, advancements in technology and economies of scale made them increasingly affordable, leading to their widespread adoption in Europe and North Africa for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and domestic uses.
The availability of sunny climates and the native plant led to a proliferation of solar panel use, which had social and economic impacts such as reductions in air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on imported fossil fuels. The solar energy increasingly powered major industrial and urban areas, leading to population migrations from rural communities to cities, where education, employment, and wealth became more accessible.
The Maurayan Empire was a powerful maritime power that emerged near the end of the 15th century in West Africa, centered in modern-day Nigeria. Initially unified under the leadership of the Ogunsola family, the Maurayans soon extended their reach across the Atlantic and Indian oceans, establishing a form of representative democracy and constitutional governance by the 17th century.
The Maurayans were known for their innovation, particularly in naval technology. They pioneered the use of ironclad ships and developed naval artillery, establishing large shipyards that produced more advanced and reliable ships than their European counterparts. The Maurayan navy enabled far-reaching navigational endeavors, securing chief port towns and establishing trade routes with the Caribbean, Pacific islands, Eastern and Southern Africa, and even China.
The Maurayans introduced constitutional governance and a representative democracy, creating checks and balances that prevented tyranny and allowed the Empire to maintain harmonious relations within its vast territories. Their political system was characterized by a written legal document, known as the Charter of Liberties, that outlined the individual rights and duties of Maurayan citizens, as well as the powers and limitations of the state. Local officials were elected based on restricted suffrage, with property-owning citizens taking part in decision-making.
The Maurayan Empire had a significant impact on global history, compelling the world to imagine new possibilities for technology, industry, and political systems.
