Pindai State

The State of Pindai
Pǐn dài zhōu
1037–1829
Flag
Capital		Pindai
Languages		Pindaian Mandarin
Religion		Minjian
Demonym		Pindaian
Government		Monarchy
Emperor
•	1037-1086	Yǒufú Shen Yimu
•	1827-1829	Liu James Yi
History
•	Established	1037
•	Disestablishment	1829
Today part of		Slokais Islands, Pindai
b.	...

The Pindai State was a Minjian-based trading empire that existed from 1037 to its voluntary dissolution in 1829. During its existence, Pindai was the primary trading and military power in what would become Slokais Islands. During its peak from the 1400s to the 1600s, the Pindai State had a vast trading network and collection of vassal states from Far’awae to Kaijan.

History

Formation

The Pindai State was founded in 1037, upon the defeat of the Jangharab Empire in the Great War of Faith. Yǒufú Shen Yimu declared May 8th, 1037 as the start of his reign by holding a meeting of 14 advisors known as The Council of Enlightened Ones. These advisors were quickly assigned to various State agencies, the most important being the Agency of Trade. According to Shen Yimu's personal biography, "Trade is one's most powerful tool, it is both a hand of peace and a blade of war" By the 1050s, Pindai was completed upon its original plans with around 70,000 estimated residents. The early decades of the Pindai State saw massive growth in farming through state land ownership, with most citizens receiving loans in exchange for high taxes on crop yields.

Government and Military

The Pindai State operated as a monarchy for it's entire history with it being classified as a Constitutional-monarchy in later years. The Emperor held supreme authority and was chosen via a line of succession, with the eldest son being prioritized before his siblings then any other relatives. If there was no possible heir or the heir was deemed "too young" by the Pindai Central Authority. The Pindai Central Authority was a body made of representatives from various clans, regions and sectors. They made decisions via an internally elected Council of the State. Territory directly controlled by the Pindai State, was divided into district's each lead by Lord or Lady who could either be a family member of the Imperial court or an appointed civil servant often from one of the major clans.

Administrative Divisions

The Pindai State at it's peak in 1590, had 18 district's ranging from present-day Northern Isles to Tedaya in the south. In addition, Pindai controlled a number of tribute state thought history. Essentially, Pindai received profits from the local authorities as well the ability to count use military resources. In exchange, tribute states where allowed to maintain a fair amount of autonomy. Although in certain periods, tribute states where absorbed through conflict.

Society

For those living in the Pindai State, one's social status could generally be divided into 5 social classes. The lowest class was the Fei-Nah or the "Non Minjian", these were mostly indigenous people or those who were not born into the faith. Fei-Nah received an annual tax on all goods and all income generated, and thus it was difficult for Fei-Nah to become a trader due to lost profits. After 1450, all Fei-Nah had to carry identification cards, which were required to complete any transaction and had to be produced if asked by police. Above them were the Fei-Taren or "respected other", this was a small group introduced in the 1600s as a way to give some status to mainly Consteno traders and businessmen operating in the empire, they did not have to pay the annual tax, although they could not enter civil service and had to produce identification when asked. Fei-Nah remains a common insult/slur from Ren to mainly indigenous people in the city of Pindai today.

The middle class was known as Dailing or "the respected masses.". These were citizens who were registered as being Minjian, you could either be born into this group or you could convert. The Dailing were often the largest singular group in Pindai itself, with some being traders or merchants, or some being farmers and fishermen. Members of the class did not have to pay additional tax on goods, and could attend any state educational institution, although they could often not find or even be considered for civil service. Above them were the Gōngwùyuán or "civil people, these were those who passed the difficult exam and worked for the government or military in some way. Doctors, teachers and academics were of this class and received social assistance and discounted or reduced prices in trade. This was considered the highest honor that an average citizen could reach in a lifetime, and most Gōngwùyuán lived in the inner-walled sections of cities.

The highest class within society was the Kaming-Dah or "enlightened one's", this included the clergy of the Minjian Temple as well as members of the major clan families. Clan where major factions during the Great War of Faith and continued to influence local affairs in there repsective regions. These leaders were known as Lords or Ladies and often lived in castles or compounds with servants from the Dailing class. Wealth was widely concentrated in their hands as they had owned major trade companies, set local tax and were often showered with gifts by Gōngwùyuán looking for greater status. Among the Kaming-Dah, the Emperor, a title passed from generation to generation. Clans would often marry strategically or even assassinate to gain a higher position in the line of succession. By the 1700s, the Kaming-Dah themselves had become distinct ethnically, with certain features such as fair complexion being valued. The legacy still exists with many of the wealthiest families in Slokais being tied to their original clans, such as the Hsu-Jia being the most common surname among millionaires.

Religion

The Pindai State was a Minjian-state for its entire existence. Although not forced upon its citizens, many converted naturally to get a better social status and be able to sell goods more easily. Minjian temples are the centerpieces of towns and cities built by the Pindai State, and being seen at the Temple often was a priority for social climbers. Initially, most citizens were Minjian due to the State encompassing already existing Clan-controlled regions. However, after the 1400s, and especially after the growth of Catholicism across the region, the number of Fei-Nah reached 60% of citizens by 1700. Later emperors even cut ties to the Minjian High Temple, with the last emperor converting to Catholicism in 1829 and dissolving the Pindai State.

Language

The Pindai State formalized its own version of Mandarin, known as Pindai Mandarin, in the 1100s, with all government business being conducted in the language and civil servants being required to be proficient. This led to the decline of other dialects of Mandarin as well as the indigenous language, which were allowed but not given status. Certain emperors, such as Jiun Lian Hsu, even spoke languages such as Tedayian and Spanish.

Economy

Trade was the core of the Pindai State, with the empire's economic dominance being the reason for success. Resources would be managed between regions via a system of tariffs on goods from non-Minjian sellers. This led to indigenous society either converting to simply being incorporated to receive economic benefits. Military forces would guard these ships to manage piracy and receive a portion of the profits upon successful arrival, which prevented naval ships from staging mid-transit robberies. Additionally, the State supported building trade quarters in other empires and states as a means of gaining influence.

A common currency known as Yingbi was required for all purchases; this replaced the bartering and credit system with a centralized banking system. Foreigners and non-citizens were forced to exchange or simply start using the currency even outside the State itself. This model of currency was replicated regionally by both Ambonar and Kaijan as a way of competing economically. All banking decisions were managed through the Reserve Bank of Pindai, which was staffed by civil servants educated at the Pindai Institute of the Trades.