Characters / TNO South Asia

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Republic of India

Republic of India

Official Name: Republic of India

Ruling Party: Indian National Congress - Nehruvian

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

The INC-ruled India, currently encompassing most of the Western Indian subcontinent. After the British withdrawal, India first came under a Nehru-Bose unity government. However, the war with Afghanistan, where India fought the rebelling Pakistan Movement and its Afghan backers, led to India losing its western states, and Bose fell out with Nehru due to him being scapegoated for the defeat.

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• Democracy Is Flawed: In comparison to the Azad Hind, India gives more political liberties to its citizens, but the country is also plagued with more domestic issues, including poverty and religious discrimination towards Muslims.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: The Indian Congress is divided between the Organization-Right and the Organization-Socialist, whom are only allied out of convenience and will split from each other after the failure of the South Asian Economic Union Conference.

Jawaharlal Nehru

Role: Head of State

Party: Indian National Congress - Nehruvian

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

In-Game Biography: ^{Click to Show} Born to a privileged family already involved in the independence struggle, Jawaharlal Nehru experienced India and its traditions almost as an outsider - after completing an English education at the heart of the British Empire and only then returning home. Nevertheless, participating in the Congress' independence struggle at the right-hand side of the Mahatma himself brought him popular support and leadership positions - so that when the British Raj finally collapsed ignominiously in 1943 he was right there to take up the reins.

But this leadership was not only his own. Caught between an expansionist Afghanistan in the west, the Japanese threat encroaching in from the east, and the princes at home jockeying for separate independence, Nehru chose instead to compromise his own power for the sake of the nation, inviting Subhas Bose and the INA to form a joint government for the sake of maintaining India's territorial sanctity. An alliance that would not last, and with the failures of the war against Afghanistan the only other option was to cut off his erstwhile friend and ally and watch as he escaped to the East, forming a bitter rival government in Calcutta.

Now only governing half a country, Nehru nevertheless sought to build the India of his and the rest of Congress' vision - a sovereign, socialist, secular and democratic republic free from the authoritarianism that plagued other postcolonial states. For two decades he laboured as Prime Minister in this endeavour - but now it seems his time is coming to a close. Perhaps he will not be able to settle things and see a united India in his own lifetime. But his legacy - for India's sake - must persevere.

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• Founder of the Kingdom: Nehru is all but revered as the founding father of modern India, overseeing its independence from the now-dismembered United Kingdom.
• He Who Fights Monsters: Subverted. In spite of the threats thrown his way, Nehru has taken great measures to not resort to the same authoritarian methods seen in the Azad Hind and Afghanistan, instead building India as a sovereign, secular democracy that can stand strong against its opponents.
• Number Two: Nehru was Mahatma Gandhi's right-hand man in his struggle for independence from Britain, so leadership naturally fell to him when the British Raj collapsed in 1943.
• Universally Beloved Leader: Nehru is beloved across his country as the father of the Republic of India. When his passing is announced, the nation collectively mourns his death. Even the populace of Azad Hind pay their respects to the man, recognizing that an influential figure of India's past and a great freedom fighter has been lost.
• We Hardly Knew Ye: Nehru only lives for two years until he dies of natural causes, opening the position for someone else to guide India through the uncertain atmosphere of the Cold War.
• We Used to Be Friends: Faced with separatist Indian princes, as well as an invading Afghanistan and Japan from two fronts, Nehru formed a joint government with Bose to retain India's territorial holdings. Unfortunately, India's failures in the Afghan War led Bose to betray him and form a rival government in Calcutta.

V.K. Krishna Menon

Role: Head of State (Nehru succession)

Party: Indian National Congress - Nehruvian

Ideology: Left-Wing Populism^note Progressivism

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• Failure Is the Only Option: His first step towards negotiation with the Azad Hind, the South Asian Economic Union Conference, will never get off the ground because a lone gunmen will try assassinating Bose on the first day of negotiations, which fails, but flares up tensions again between the two nations.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: One of his first actions upon being inaugurated is to send an offer to Bose, proposing a peaceful reunification of their countries. Unfortunately, this trait alienates many within the Congress Party.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Just A few months after being inaugurated as Prime Minister, Menon’s government will be defeated in a motion of no confidence after the failure of the South Asian economic conference.

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Role: Head of State (Menon succession)

Party: Indian National Congress - Nehruvian, Indian National Congress - Progressive (INC Split)

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

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• Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: When Menon is charged with treason and conspiracy after the failed assassination attempt of Bose, Shastri will pardon him of these accusations, but this just fractures the party between the Congress right-wing and the Gandhian wing.
• Warhawk: Shastri's slogan is "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan", meaning "Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer". True to his warhawkish words, Shastri will spend his term as Prime Minister to increase security and modernize agriculture to prepare India for conflict.

J. B. Kripalani

Role: Head of State (1964 Election)

Party: Indian National Congress (Organization - Socialist)

Ideology: Agrarian Socialism^note Socialism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani has seen much in his great, long life. For five decades, he has been deeply involved with Indian politics, from colonial rule to independence and the years after. In his early years, Kripalani joined up with the growing independence movement following the return of the Mahatma from South Africa. During the early 1920s, Kriplani worked as a lecturer of history and English while serving as part of the non-cooperation movement. He would become a close adherent of the Mahatma, and was given the task of spreading his teachings to other parts of India. Later on, he would be on several occasions arrested for more direct actions against colonial rule, including organising protests and for distributing anti-British material. Kripalani would be invloved in the top affairs of Congress througout the late 1920s and into the next decade. By this point, Kripalani had also turned to be a firm adherent of Gandhian ideals, particularly those relating to socialism.

While independence did finally come to India, the nation was quickly split in two by war between the Nehru's Republic and Bose's Free India.

Kriplani, saw the way to victory in the elections through cooperation with other prominent socialists, which would indeed prove to be successful in the elections. Kripalani is now leader of the Republic of India, committed to the principles of Gandhian Socialism, light agrarianism and resistance against Japan. Yet there is much work for him to do to secure his position - winning an election means when there is always someone to take your place by any means necessary.

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• Taking Up the Mantle: If he becomes Prime Minister, Kripalani will swear to uphold Gandhi's original vision of a socialist republic and focus on rural development and self-governance.

Morarji Desai

Role: Head of State (1964 Election)

Party: Indian National Congress - Conservative Wing

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show} Morarji Desai's political life began with activism. Together with Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, and countless others, Desai joined the Swaraj movement against the British, landing him in jail for several years. His spirit and leadership during this time earned him much acclaim, which would only grow further during the Second War of Independence. Desai was responsible for the ceasefire agreement that ended the fighting and established lasting peace. In the old days of the united Indian National Congress, Morarji Desai stood as one of its most prominent and formidable members. Although often at odds with Prime Minister Nehru due to their differing views, many considered Desai to his natural successor. Had the party stayed together after Nehru's death, he might indeed have taken over leadership. That day never came though, and so Desai founded his own, conservative party in the wake of Congress' collapse. Already popular, Desai attracted most of the conservatives of the old INC to his Janata Party, forging it into the definitive organization of the Indian center-right.

Desai himself is regarded as somewhat of a moral crusader, as well as somewhat religious and somewhat nationalistic man which has certainly flavoured his political career. It is however his moderate, anti-Hindutva, and secular nature that has won him his popularity and success as a politician and party leader. Desai is also openly opposed to independence for Indian Muslims, instead believing that the issues in the region can be better solved if they were to stay part of India. Like all those involved in politics, Morarji Desai is a complex figure. He is both a strict religious moralist and a secular, moderate conservative. It is perhaps because of this blend that he was able to lead a party and now an entire nation. Desai has served India in many ways prior, but now he will guide it by his own hand.

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• Internal Reformist: Desai is against the idea of granting independence for the Indian Muslims because he believes that their grievances can be better addressed through reforms in the system.
• Moral Crusader: Downplayed. Desai sometimes moralizes about religion, but he is fairly moderate and secular as a politician.
• Start My Own: When the INC collapsed, Desair founded his own conservative party, attracting his loyalists form the INC and forming the center-right of India's politics.
• Taking Up the Mantle: Subverted. Desai has long worked in the Swaraj movement for Indian independence from Britain, winning acclaim for his leadership and setting up a ceasefire agreement to the Second War of Independence. As an ambitious member of the Indian National Congress, many considered Desai to be Nehru's successor, despite their political clashes and ideological incompatibilities. However, the Indian National Congress' splinter prevented that from happening.

Azad Hind

Azad Hind Government

Official Name: Government of Free India

Ruling Party: All-India Forward Bloc - Subhashist Wing

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism

Azad Hind's government located in Bengal. Initially invited into the INC's Indian government after British withdrawal, the fallout of the war with Afghanistan led to Bose being accused of causing the war's failure. Frustrated with the INC, Bose established a rival government in Calcutta to challenge the INC's leadership.

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• Les Collaborateurs: The Azad Hind Government represents the Co-Prosperity Sphere's interests in the subcontinent. That being said, it has significant leeway and autonomy from Japanese control, paradoxically making it one of the "freest" in the Sphere.
• Regime Change: The Azad Hind government can aid Daoud Khan's coup in Afghanistan, toppling Zahir Shah's monarchy in the process.
• Repressive, but Efficient: Compared to the Republic of India, the Azad Hind Government is more authoritarian and backed by the imperial power of Japan, but the living conditions there are far more comfortable to the average citizen.
• We ARE Struggling Together: The majority of the government and ruling party are either ethnic Bengalis or Tamils from Malaysian and Burmese communities. Along with Bose's efforts to standardize Hindustani as the nation's official language, the country is deeply divided along Bengal and Hindi-speaking areas.

Subhas Chandra Bose

Role: Head of State

Party: All-India Forward Bloc - Subhashist Wing, All-India Forward Bloc - Unity

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism, Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

In-Game Biography: ^{Click to Show} It seemed that societal fate would have had Subhas Chandra Bose, born into the family of a loyal servant of the Raj, work as one of those innumerable 'natives' without whom the British could not control the subcontinent. Instead, on the cusp of a successful entry into the prestigious Indian Civil Service, he threw it all away for the sake of serving a greater goal - his motherland, the much beleaguered Indian nation.

As one of several young, dynamic, and left-leaning voices within Congress that urged faster and more radical action, and despite being elected both to govern Calcutta and to Congress' highest offices, Bose soon found himself at odds with the party's slow and legalistic leadership. When the War broke out, concerned about his potential to disrupt the Raj, the British imprisoned him at home - only for him to escape in a scene straight out of a movie, hiding and disguising himself until he reached Afghanistan, where, with German aid, he reached the Soviet Union. Finding the European powers unwilling to help, he finally turned to Japan for aid, organizing an army of Indian prisoners-of-war and proclaiming that he would march to Delhi. Almost concurrently, the Raj itself collapsed.

Invited to form a united government, Bose happily accepted - only to be blamed for the failings of the war against Afghanistan and nearly imprisoned again. But Bengal and the East were now loyal to the Forward Bloc, not Congress, and he escaped once more. Now he waits, determined to march to Delhi once more whether in peace, or by war. The hour that will decide the fate of all India is soon at hand - and he will be the one to guide it there.

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• Founder of the Kingdom: Similarly to Nehru, Bose is respected as the founder and paramount figurehead of Azad Hind.
• Occupiers Out of Our Country: In the times of British colonization, Bose has been among the most radical proponents for Indian independence and almost led an army of Indian prisoners-of-war, backed by Japan, to fight for it before the British Raj collapsed anyway.
• Reasonable Authority Figure: Despite his animosity towards the Republic, Bose is open to negotiating a peaceful resolution with Menon. Unfortunately, a failed assassination attempt revives conflict between the two nations and so the negotiations fail.
• The Scapegoat: Faced with defeats during the Afghan War, the Congress blamed them on Bose, which nearly resulted in his imprisonment before he escaped East.
• Short-Lived Leadership: After nearly getting assassinated, Bose will take an early retirement and force someone else to take over the Free India movement.
• We Used to Be Friends: He was once allies with Nehru in their fight against Afghanistan, but once he began getting the blame for India's military defeats, Bose retreated eastward to form his own rival government.

John A. Thivy

Role: Head of State (Post-assassination attempt)

Party: National Protection Council

Ideology: Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism

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• You Are in Command Now: When Bose is nearly assassinated and retires, Thivy is thrust into his position, until Bose recovers or elections can find another head of state.

M.Z. Kiani

Role: Head of State (Bose retirement)

Party: ANF - Singapore/Ill Clique^note Indian National Army

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: As Azad Hind government was being pushed back in OTL World War II, Kiani surrendered, though he would later return to a newly independent Pakistan and facilitated the 1947 Poonch Rebellion. Since the Azad Hind government is still alive in this timeline, Kiani is still active in the movement and can potentially succeed Bose.

Mohan Singh

Role: Head of State (Bose retirement)

Party: ANF - Swaraj^note Indian National Army - Self-rule

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Richard Nixon, the Used Car Salesman: With the Azad Hind government still alive in an Axis victory timeline, Singh never joined the Indian National Congress like in OTL and instead is a possible successor to Bose.

Bhutan

Official Name: Autonomous Province of Bhutan

Ruling Party: Azad Hind Fauj - Fauj Intizamia Bhotan^note Indian National Army - Military Administration of Bhutan

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

The small mountain kingdom of Bhutan, now under Azad Hind occupation.

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• Puppet State: At the start of the game, Bhutan is a complete puppet of Azad Hind.
• La Résistance: The Bhotamuzh, also known as the Bhotani Muzhamat, is a large resistance organized led by Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who seeks to overthrow Singh's military government and restored the Bhutanese throne under a constitutional monarchy. Funded by the Delhi regime and possible the United States, they could potentially launch a coup if they aren't quelled.

Kanwal Singh

Role: Military Commander, Head of State, Head of Government (Singh cabinet)

Party: Azad Hind Fauj - Fauj Intizamia Bhotan^note Indian National Army - Military Administration of Bhutan

Ideology: Military Junta^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}General Kanwal Singh was a hero when it all started. Throwing himself into the line of fire, he was glad to be among the first recipients of the Sher-e-Hind, the most honourable military declaration. However, when the War of Independence against Britain ended, and it became a war against the INA's milquetoast brothers, Kanwal Singh found new opportunity. Seizing the small mountain nation of Bhutan, a British protectorate which had been split from India in 1910, he was given a promotion to General of the Indian National Army in Bhutan. However, when the war ended, Singh was assigned a new job in the army: to keep Bhutan under India's thumb. As time has gone on, General Singh has grown more and more reclusive, as threats by Bhutanese partisans increase.

Alongside this, he has grown more paranoid of his cabinet and military over time, not helped by the ethnically-Bengali generals in exile in the contingent. They could be trying to wrestle control from him and take power to merely benefit themselves, or worse, be spies that support the exiled Druk Gyalpo's resistance! In Singh's eyes, everyone is out to get him, and he is the only one who can bring Bhutan to accept India's motherly love. However, only time can tell if it will be he who brings Bhutan to the fold, or if the Dragon of the Himalayas shall roar again.

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• The Paranoiac: Singh is terrified that his cabinet or military will overthrow him for their own self-benefit or, worse, act as spies for the now-exiled Druk Gyalpo.
• War Hero: He was a decorated war hero during the War of Independence against Britain, even being one of the first recipients of the Sher-e-Hind, the most honorable military declaration in India.

Sikkim

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• The Alliance: Sikkim is a member of the Co-Prosperity Sphere.
• Puppet State: Sikkim is a puppet state of the Azad Hind Government.

Afghanistan

Kingdom of Afghanistan

^{Flag of the Republic of Afghanistan (Daoud Khan)}

^{Flag of the Republic of Afghanistan (Amin)}

^{Flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan}

^{Flag of the Revolutionary Republic of Afghanistan}

Official Name: Kingdom of Afghanistan, Republic of Afghanistan (Republic), Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Niazi), Revolutionary Republic of Afghanistan (Yari)

Ruling Party: da Bārāzkai^note Barakzai Dynasty

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism

The Kingdom of Afghanistan is a regional power ruled by the Barakzai dynasty. As the Soviet Union and the British Empire both dissolved due to WWII, Afghanistan strategically acquired Axis backing and military expanded into Central Asia and India.

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• Bilingual Bonus:
  • In addition to writing "Afghanistan" in Pashto, their flag also has "١٣٤٨" inscribed, which is 1348 on the lunar Islamic calendar and shows the religion's prevalence in the country.
  • The flag set by Daoud Khan has text translating to "Afghanistan" and "Republic", which is Afghanistan's name on the map when he takes over.
  • To further show the country's slide into Islamic fundamentalism, an empowered Niazi will switch Afghanistan's flag to one with many Islamic creeds written in Arabic, which read "God is Generous", "Our Paths, and Indeed, God is With the Doers of Good", "And Those Who Strive For Us, We Will Surely Guide Them", "Praise Be to the Messenger of God", "No God Except Allah", "1336" on the lunar Islamic calender, and "Islamic Society of Afghanistan".
• Clashing Cousins: Zahir Shah's current Prime Minister is his cousin, Daoud Khan, but there has been growing animosity between the two over the latter's overambition and controversial Pashtun nationalist stance against Kalat.
• Fascist, but Inefficient: The regime of Zahir Shah greatly favors the Pashtunistan people, treating other minorities like second-class citizens and shutting down any reformists who try to heavily change the status quo. This could potentially be their downfall after Shafiq resigns, sparking mass student protests and leading to a Maoist takeover of the country.
• Government in Exile: Afghanistan houses the All-India Muslim League, the leader of the Pakistan Movement which seeks to establish a Muslim nation in Punjab, Kashmir and Sindh. Militarily defeated in each of these three states, Afghanistan supported them and allowed their political leaders and military to flee into Afghanistan.
• Hated by All: Their relentless invasions in Central Asia and India have turned them into a pariah for the regions, in which the only reason they haven't invaded Afghanistan is because they're too busy fighting amongst themselves.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: As the Soviet Union fell into chaos during World War II, Afghanistan invaded some Central Asian and South Asian territories, free to build their own empire and make themselves an overarching rival to the entire region.
• Multiple Endings: Afghanistan can go down a variety of outcomes and ideologies depending on the outcome of its potential coup against Zahir Shah in 1973.
  • If the Republican coup occurs under Daoud Khan, Afghanistan will adopt a new ideology depending on the primary benefactor and backer of his coup: Social Nationalism (Azad Hind), Civilian Dictatorship (Turkey), Revolutionary Nationalism (Japan), or National Socialism (Germany)
  • There is also a possibility for Zahir Shah to avoid the coup, where he will then either undo his previous democratic reforms and return Afghanistan to an absolute monarchy, or allow for Musa Shafiq to be re-elected and retain parliamentary democracy.
  • There are also three separate coup outcomes:
    • A military clique loyal to Hafizullah Amin can overthrow Zahir Shah, establishing a neutralist republican government with Amin in charge.
    • Islamic fundamentalists can take advantage of unrest against Zahir Shah and declare the formation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by Gholam Mohammad Niazi.
    • A Maoist revolution can also occur under Akram Yari, declaring the formation of the Revolutionary Republic of Afghanistan.
• Neutrality Backlash: Downplayed. While they aren't hated by Germany or Japan, their neutral stance between the two makes them not seen as trustworthy enough to be given more benefits.
• Playing Both Sides: Afghanistan is happy to allow both the CPS and the Pakt to invest heavily into their country while keeping both factions at an arms length.
• Pyrrhic Victory:
  • Colluding with the Axis powers to take the rest of Pashtunistan from India, Afghanistan invaded the country and successfully took the territory, but not before losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a costly war and having to manage the interests of the multiple ethnic groups they just conquered.
  • The Oil Crisis can be considered a victory for Afghanistan, since increases in oil prices give a lot of power to the country and saves them from the impending economic collapse they've been dealing with for nearly an entire decade. Unfortunately, this period also comes with a famine and dwindling international aid, so Afghanistan can hardly rest in their newfound fortune.
• Regime Change: Afghanistan has extensively supported the Turkestan Legion and its military attacks against the other states in Central Asia, allowing them to survive for decades after World War II.
• Took a Level in Badass: Backed by Germany and Japan, Afghanistan invaded Tajikistan all the way up to the Shakhdara River and invaded India to annex Indian Pashtunistan (Frontier Provinces & Northern Baluchistan). They also allied themselves with Pakistan's rebellion, and in the aftermath of their defeat propped up the Khanate of Kalat, granting them sea access. In short time, Afghanistan has risen to become one of the dominant powers in South Asia.
• We ARE Struggling Together: Afghan politics is sharply divided between Zahir Shah's moderate faction and Daoud Khan's Pashtun nationalist faction, which threatens to destabilize the country.
• Won the War, Lost the Peace: Afghanistan's invasions and collusion with Germany and Japan have transformed the country into an empire. However, they've now made many enemies with their belligerence, which may reverse their gains, especially with their protectorates becoming less politically stable.
• Would Not Shoot a Civilian: An aversion of this happens shortly before the 1965 cabinet is formed, where three Maoist student protestors are killed by the army, forcing Zahir Shah to appoint a more progressively minded Prime Minister instead of one of the many landlords and favourite-son candidates that make up the Afghan parliament.
• Yes-Man: The Loyal Jirga are often treated little more as a rubber stamp for what Zahir Shah wants. They can assert a bit more authority when Yusuf Khan begins liberalization and recruits them to draft a new constitution, but Zahir Shah still dabbles in the process and gerrymanders districts to guarantee Pashtun supremacy.

Mohammed Zahir Shah

^{70's portrait}

Role: Head of State

Party: da Bārāzkai^note Barakzai Dynasty

Ideology: Absolute Monarchy^note Despotism (Default, National Unity Party), Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism (New constitution)

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Born in 1914, taking the throne in 1933, Mohammad Zahir Shah has reigned for three decades. For the first two decades, he let his uncles rule as Prime Minister under him-first there was Sardar Mohammad Hashim Khan, who ruled despotically for seventeen years until the end of the War. Then came Sardar Mohammad Mahmud Khan, brother to his predecessor, who oversaw slow liberalisation and progressive policy until political parties formed, Afghanistan's economy was destabilised, and Mahmud Khan's irrigation projects failed. Finally in 1953 there came his cousin, Daoud Khan, who presided over mass development and modernization, funded by foreign aid.

But the story of Zahir Shah was not limited to Afghanistan itself. The fall of the Russian communists brought Germans and Japanese to take their position as Afghanistan's prime backer, funding 40% of the Afghan budget - a great sum compared to the 7% of tax revenue brought by tax on land and agriculture.

Their backing, and Zahir Shah's successful exploiting of foreign events, allowed Afghanistan to become a regional power with well-calculated invasions and diplomatic plays: attacks on the Tajiks up to the Shakhdara River, support for the Turkestan Legionaries' invasion, protecting the Muslim League and Jinnah from their enemies in Delhi and weakening the nascent Pakistani Army in one fell swoop. Jinnah's demise left Afghanistan with two protectorates, access to the sea, and a step closer to the dream of Pashtunistan. The cherry on the top: recognizing Calcutta as the government of India, pleasing Tokyo and infuriating Delhi in one fell swoop.

With his cousin as his right-hand man and the Tajik lands consolidated, Zahir Shah thinks himself as at the top of the world. But his rule is threatened: political movements are growing, Delhi, Central Asia, and Xinjiang are preparing revenge, and Afghanistan's patrons are slipping into chaos. Worse yet, the King can tell his prime ministerial cousin has greater ambitions than mere loyal service. But the King has greater concerns: he must bring another decade of success, so that he and Afghanistan may prosper yet more.

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• Bait the Dog: After seventeen years of his Hashim serving as his despotic Prime Minister, Zahir Shah replaced him with Mahmud so he can liberalize Afghanistan and ease censorship. However, he reversed this stance when it came to suppressing the Jebha-ye Melli, one of the parlimentary factions that formed in opposition to the current government.
• Corrupt Politician: Zahir Shah relies on gerrymandering to get his supporters and Pashtun supremacists elected in the 1965 parliamentary elections.
• Enemy Mine: Mohammed hates it, but he's been forced to collaborate with an outside power multiple times to achieve his goals. The latest collaboration he participated in was invading India with Axis support, in which Germany and Japan have funded 40% of his country's budget to back their intrusion.
• The Exile: If deposed in anyway after Musa Shafiq's resignation, Zahir Shah is exiled to the United States.
• Know When to Fold 'Em: Receiving all the blame for Afghanistan's social and ethnic conflicts, as well as the government's lack of response, Zahir Shah is put on the back foot when Musa Shafiq threatens to resign, if he doesn't democratize. Seeing no other way out, Zahir Shah submits and signs the Political Parties Bill, reappointing Musa Shafiq as Prime Minister and establishing an official parliamentary democracy.
• Nepotism: All of Zahir Shah's Prime Ministers have been his family members, starting with his two uncles, Sardar Mohammad Hashim Kham and Sardar Mohammad Mahmud Khan. His current Prime Minister is his cousin, Mohammad Daoud Khan.
• Pragmatic Villainy: Zahir Shah fires Daoud Khan and becomes more open to liberalization because he thinks that the old system of legitimacy through violence has lost its usefulness. However, once the process of democratization begins, Zahir Shah is quick to try putting a stop to it.
• Tyrant Takes the Helm: If Musa Shafiq fails to pressure him into democratization, Zahir Shah will replace him with Khalilullah Khalili, announcing the dissolution of all other political parties and restoring Afghanistan's status as a total monarchy.

Mohammad Daoud Khan

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Zahir Shah cabinet), Head of State (Republican coup)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister, Hezb-e Demokrat-e Melli (Republican coup)

Ideology: Social Nationalism^note Paternalism, Civilian Dictatorship^note Despotism, Revolutionary Nationalism^note Fascism, National Socialism

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• Chekhov's Gunman: After getting ousted early in the game, Daoud Khan seems like he'll never return to power again. In the 1970's, he makes a surprise return after Musa Shafiq resigns and many republican military officers depose Zahir Shah.
• Fascist, but Inefficient: Under Zahir Shah's reign, Daoud Khan has pushed heavy pro-Pashtunistan and oppressive policies that trigger backlash from the tribes and intellectual class.
• Voluntary Vassal: Daoud Khan is the darling of all Germanophiles and Japanophiles, putting him at odds with Zahir Shah's more neutralist stance.
• We Hardly Knew Ye: Zig-Zagged. Little over a year from the game's start, Daoud Khan gets sacked and replaced by Yusuf Khan. However, he can return through a Republican coup years later.
• We Used to Be Friends: As the first decade of Daoud Khan's time as Prime Minister approaches, their once-friendly relationship is beginning to show stark divides. The King and his head of government's differing stances and support groups are putting them in a power struggle that is slowly enveloping their own country.
• Wild Card: He has four different benefactors to back the Republican coup, which will affect the ideology he adopts. His ideologies include Social Nationalism (HSS in Azad Hind), Civilian Dictatorship (Turkey), Revolutionary Nationalism (Japan), and National Socialism (Germany).

Muhammad Yusuf Khan

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Zahir Shah cabinet, Daoud Kahn sacked)

Party: De Afghanistan Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister of Afghanistan

Ideology: Anocracy^note Paternalism

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• Resigned in Disgrace: In the midst of liberalizing the country, Yusuf Khan's plans are interrupted when Maoist student protests escalate and result in several deaths. This tarnishes Yusuf Khan's reputation and forces him to resign after the tragedy.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Yusuf Khan becomes Prime Minister after Daoud Khan is fired and won't sit in the position long before someone is elected to replace him.

Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1965 election)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister, Hezb-e Mutaraqi Demokrat-e Afghanistan^note Democratic Progressive Party of Afghanistan

Ideology: Reformist Socialism^note Socialism

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• Internal Reformist: Believing that socialism can be built under a monarchy, Maiwandwal advocates for increased democracy and reforms in the economic sector.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Maiwandal only lasts two years in the premiership because of his waning health.
• Wide-Eyed Idealist: Maiwandwal's platform is very idealistic, promising democratization and economic reforms to combat inflation with American help. Unfortunately, the conservative Wolesi Jirga are unfriendly to most of his ideas and Maiwandwal's capabilities are limited before he's forced to resign from ill health.

Mir Mohammed Sediq Farhang

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1965 election)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister

Ideology: Democratic Socialism^note Progressivism

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• Internal Reformist: Farhang is a noted leftist reformist who desires to break the feudal system still present in Afghanistan and restores economic growth.
• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: As the Wolesi Jirga and the landowning class become increasingly opposed to his ideas, Farhang gives up and resigns from his position.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Farhang serves as Prime Minister for just two years before his reforms anger the Wolesi Jirga too much and force him to resign.

Ghulam Mohammad Farhad

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1965 election)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister, Tolenpal Wuluswak Gund^note Afghan Social Democratic Party

Ideology: Progressive Liberalism^note Liberalism

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• Les Collaborateurs: Farhad is well known for his German business ties, being one of the more German friendly candidates for the position of Prime Minister.
• Evil Colonialist: Farhad, inspired by German rhetoric, advocates for pro Pashtunization policies in the multi ethnic Afghan state.
• Fascist, but Inefficient: His pro-Pashtunistan sentiments and focus on the Army sparks tensions with the non-Afghan tribes, which gets chaotic enough for Zahir Shah to eventually fire him.
• Patriotic Fervor: Known for his Pashtunistan rhetoric, he makes sure to redouble on this as Prime Minister.
• Short-Lived Leadership: After just two years in his position, Zahir Shah dismisses him for angering the Pakistani tribes and other non-Afghan groups too much.

Abdullah Yaqta

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Interim Prime Minister)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister

Ideology: Big Tent^note Liberal Conservatism

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• Short-Lived Leadership: After the 1965-appointed Prime Minister is removed, no matter who it is, Yaqta is put in the position as a seat warmer for a month, until Zahir Shah appoints Etemadi.

Mohammed Noor Ahmad Etemadi

Role: Foreign Minister, Prime Minister^note Head of Government (Resignation of 1965 Prime Minister, 1969 appointment)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister

Ideology: Reformist Socialism^note Socialism

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• Failure Is the Only Option: Etemadi has a few ideas to address the economic crisis in 1969, but none of them stick. His attempts to pass deflationary monetary reforms, aid to state-owned industries, and establish taxes gets shot down by the pro-landlord parliament. Zahir Shah eventually gets sick of his failures and fires him.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Disappointed by his consistent lack of success, Zahir Shah fires Etemadi only a rough year after he gets elected.
• Taking Up the Mantle: Etemadi vows to continue the implementation of Maiwandwal's ideas of socialism under a monarchicial system if appointed as Prime Minister in 1969.
• Unexpected Successor: After the resignation of the 1965-appointed Prime Minister, Etemadi is hired by Zahir Shah to replace them.

Tahir Badakhshi

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1969 appointment)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister, Sazman-e Inqilab Zahmatkeshan Afghanistan^note Revolutionary Organisation of the Toilers of Afghanistan

Ideology: Left-Wing Nationalism^note Socialism

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• Breaking the Glass Ceiling: If he becomes Prime Minister, Badakhsi becomes the first Prime Minister of Tajik descent.
• Failure Is the Only Option: His attempts to treat non-Pashtun groups more fairly and redraw electoral borders stir unrest within the government, inevitably getting him dismissed by Zahir Shah to prevent a gridlock and explosion of ethnic violence.
• Internal Reformist: Badakshi tries to extent minority rights against the Pashtun-dominated parliament, but unfortunately, this creates a government gridlock and he gets fired by Zahir Shah before his plans can come to fruition.
• Short-Lived Leadership: He only serves as Prime Minister for around a year-and-a-half before getting fired.
• Token Minority: Badakshi is accused of being this for the various minorities in the country, being a Tajik instead of hailing from the Pashtun majority population.

Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1969 appointment)

Party: Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister

Ideology: Fundamentalism^note Ultranationalism

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• Failure Is the Only Option: His attempts to mandate Islamic values as law stir too much chaos and conflict than Zahir Shah would like, so Mohammadi is doomed to be fired eventually.
• The Fundamentalist: Mohammadi's main focus is on turning Afghanistan into an Islamic theocracy after decades of secular reforms. Many students oppose his provision to make hijabs mandatory and even Zahir Shah dismisses him when he's angering the left-wing parties of Kabul too much.
• Red Scare: Mohammadi's platform for election to the role of Prime Minister was that of combatting the alleged Marxist influence growing in Afghan society, culminating in attacks against the PYO and other left-wing groups.
• Short-Lived Leadership: Like the other 1969-appointed Prime Ministers, Mohammedi serves in the position for a year-and-a-half before getting dismissed.
• Turbulent Priest: A spiritual leader for Muslims in Afghanistan, Mohammadi's appointment as Prime Minister signifies a change for the previously secular state as he promises to fight against Marxist influence in Afghanistan.

Abdul Zahir

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1971 appointment)

Party: De Afghanistan Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister of Afghanistan

Ideology: Big Tent^note Liberal Conservatism

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• Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Zahir steps into the premiership at an awful time, the same time around the Oil Crisis. Reduced snowfall over the Hindu Kush leads to a famine, international aid is slowing down due to corruption, and the status quo of Afghan society is unraveling faster than he can keep up. Intimidated, Zahir resigns before the crisis snowballs into something even worse for him.
• Short-Lived Leadership: He briefly becomes Prime Minister in 1971 before getting replaced an exact year later.

Mohammad Musa Shafiq

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (1972 appointment)

Party: De Afghanistan Lomri Wazir^note Prime Minister of Afghanistan

Ideology: Big Tent^note Liberal Conservatism

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• Short-Lived Leadership: Zig-Zagged. After replacing Zahir, Musa Shafiq holds his old position tenuous. As a result of increasing social, ethnic, and labor tensions, Musa Shafiq will resign because of Zahir Shah's stubbornness and set Afghanistan on a variety of different paths, most ending with him no longer in power. He can only retain his power if Zahir Shah maintains control, keeps the parliamentary democratic system alive, and allows Shafiq to be reelected.
• Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Musa Shafiq is distrusted by Zahir Shah and their differences eventually cause the former to resign.

Khalilullah Khalili

Role: Prime Minister^note Head of Government (National Unity Party preserved)

Party: Barakzai Dynasty

Ideology: Anocracy^note Paternalism

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• Tyrant Takes the Helm: If Musa Shafiq fails to pressure him into democratization, Zahir Shah will replace him with Khalilullah Khalili, who announces the dissolution of all other political parties and restoring Afghanistan's status as a total monarchy.

Akram Yari

Role: Head of State (Maoist coup)

Party: Sazman-e Jawanan-e Mutaraqi^note Progressive Youth Organization

Ideology: Mao Zedong Thought^note Communism

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• Chummy Commies: Yari promises to instate a democracy after overthrowing Zahir Shah, as well as equitably distribute development and infrastructural aid after the chaos following 1971.

Gholam Mohammad Niazi

Role: Head of State (Fundamentalist coup)

Party: Jamiat-e Islami^note Islamic Society

Ideology: Fundamentalism^note Ultranationalism

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• The Fundamentalist: Discontent by Zahir Shah's "secular rule", Abdulrahim Niazi leads a popular uprising in the Panjshir Valley and takes over the country, declaring the formation of an Islamic Emirate.

Hafizullah Amin

Role: Head of State (Aminist coup)

Party: Hezb-e Melli-ye Afghanistan^note National Party of Afghanistan

Ideology: Personalistic Dictatorship^note Despotism

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• Choosing Neutrality: Amin replaces Zahir Shah's monarchy with a neutralist republican government, backed by his clique of military officers.
• Historical Relationship Overhaul: In this timeline, Amin never joins the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan as his visit to the Soviet Union never happens due to it not existing by the sixties, leading to him never becoming a Marxist-Leninist and instead becoming a Pashtun nationalist in TNO.
• Military Coup: After Zahir Shah dismisses Shafiq, Amin leads his own personal clique of military officers to depose Zahir Shah, sending the monarch into exile and establishing a republic surrounding himself.

Khanate of Kalat

Official Name: Khanate of Kalat

Ruling Party: Ahmadzai Dynasty

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

A Baloch princely state situated in Kalat. It had supported the Pakistan Movement's rebellion against India, and has survived the aftermath of Pakistan's defeat by securing Afghan support.

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• Bilingual Bonus: The Islamic influence in the Khanate of Kalat is reflected in the Arabic text on their flag, which translates to "There is No God but Allah, and I Bear Witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" and "Allah".
• Les Collaborateurs: The Khanate effectively functions as a buffer state for the Afghan government. While the Khan and most of his subjects are content with this, there are some within the Khanate who wish to be fully independent and have a lot in common with their separatist brothers in Iran.
• Puppet State: While Kalat is formally independent, it relies heavily on Afghan support and it would be conquered very easily by the Indians across the border should the Afghans withdraw their vital aid. Many are aware of this unequal relationship and demand for change.
• Voluntary Vassal: When the government in Delhi declared a state of emergency in the Western Provinces, Afghanistan provided safe haven to the Pakistan nationalist movement. The two groups cut a deal where Afghanistan would annex Quetta and Northern Balochistan and allow them to rule the rest of Kalat, albeit as a puppet state.

Mir Ahmad Yar Khan

Role: Head of State

Party: Ahmadzai Dynasty

Ideology: Semi-Constitutional Monarchy^note Paternalism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Mir Ahmad Yar Khan Ahmedzai, Khan of Kalat, has had a long and comparatively conventional life, as the lives of Baloch khans go. When he came into the world in 1902, India from Kalat to Kachin was dominated by the British, and it was in this context that Mir Ahmad Yar grew up. In the 1920s he was a loyal agent of British intelligence, reporting on the growing Russian influence and the spread of Marxist sympathies among his poorer subjects. In the 1930s, after he became Khan of Kalat, the British rewarded his loyalty with a high decoration - the Order of the Indian Empire.

Things went to hell as the British rule over India collapsed. At this time, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, until recently the Khan's legal advisor, urged Mir Ahmad Yar Khan to back the concept of an independent Islamic state in the Indus Valley. He offered his support, most eagerly in fact despite the objections of his more independent-minded brothers, and watched with cautious optimism at first during the Western Emergency in its chaotic attempt to establish a Pakistani nation.

Alas, the ramshackle movement was unable to hold up completely against the enemy governments to its east, and Jinnah managed as an emergency measure to secure the Afghans' support in an intervention in order to prevent a total loss of their potential influence in the area. Years have passed and the Khan of Kalat has at last come to a full appreciation of his situation.

The Khan knows quite well that his government is propped up by the Afghans. If the Afghan support was to evaporate tomorrow, it would all come to an end very rapidly. He also knows that his separatist brothers are untrustworthy; they and their damn fool dreams of a 'free Balochistan' would lead only to ruin. Above all he is fully aware that though his friend Jinnah, the Quaid-e-Azam, is no more, the Pakistan movement persists, and would more than welcome his support, if not his outright joining to Pakistan.

But the Khan will bide his time before doing something like that. The time is not yet ripe, and the Pakistanis simply don't have enough support yet. But he has time. If there is one thing Mir Ahmad Yar Khan is good at, it is waiting and seeing. When the Indians in their folly slip and fall, the Khan will seize his opportunity.

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• Wild Card: Ahmad's allegiance switches frequently, according to the situation he is in. When the British ruled over India, Ahmad worked with them to counter the growing Russian influence and spread of Marxist sympathies in the lower classes. As soon as the British left India, Ahmad accepted Afghanistan's support in exchange for becoming a puppet to them and is content to remain in that position, until a perfect opportunity arises to split from them too and potentially align with Pakistan instead.

Frontier Provinces

Official Name: Frontier Provines

Ruling Party: Frontier Provinces Civilian Administration

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

An autonomous governorate of Afghanistan formed out of the former North-West Frontier Province, goverened by local Pashtun chiefs. The region houses the exiled remnants of the Pakistani Army, whose rebellion in Punjab and Sindh was crushed by India.

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• Bilingual Bonus: The Frontier Provinces' flag has text that translates to "1348" from the Islamic solar calendar and "Afghanistan", communicating their Islamic influence and subservience to their larger neighbor.
• The Neutral Zone: The governorate was established by Afghanistan to act as a buffer zone against potentially rebellious Pakistani Army remnants holed up in the region.

Nawabzada Shahabuddin Khan

Role: Head of State

Party: Frontier Provinces Civilian Administration

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}Nawabzada Shahabuddin Khan, Khan of Jandol and Nawab of Dir, second son of Nawab Shah Jehan Khan, is a harsh, ruthless man with a strong devotion to duty.

That is appropriate given his second job as the Afghan-appointed military governor of the frontier provinces, set up by the Khanate of Afghanistan in opposition to the remnants of the Pakistan Army on the frontier. His duty is to make sure the Pakistani Army remains on the frontier and does not backfire on Afghanistan; being a loyal subordinate of Afghanistan, he takes to this duty with alacrity.

When Shahabuddin Khan is not keeping a lid on the Pakistanis, he is governing his pair of small princely states in the northwest of what was supposed to have Pakistan. Many praise him for his efforts to modernize his state - he single-handedly funds schools, hospitals, fortifications and roads all over his domain. But just as many people criticize him for the ruthlessness he exhibits in his dealings with anyone he meets.

His absolute rule over the region ruins just as many lives as it uplifts; countless tribal groups hold him as their enemy for his incessant expropriations of tribal land for the purposes of development. The civilians in the Frontier Provinces outside of the Pakistani frontier or Jandol and Dir are not too impressed with him either; his absolutist, ruthless rule causes no small number of them to chafe under him, and there are rumblings of pro-Pakistani and even pro-Indian sentiment.

Faced with all these things, the Nawabzada will do as he always has: assert his authority and suppress dissent until it calms down. It has worked before - why should it not work again?

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• Good Is Not Nice: He wants to modernize his country, but this process also involves expropriating tribal land for development, earning the hatred of the people who live there.
• Pet the Dog: Despite his ruthless methods, he does fund many schools, hospitals, fortifications, and roads for his people, an unambiguously good set of policies for the country.
• President for Life: Even though he's supposed to be a Conservative, he's actually pretty ruthless towards his political rivals, suppressing any dissent against his rule to ensure that he remains in power.
• Undying Loyalty: He's unwaveringly loyal to serving Afghanistan, whom serves as the master for the Frontier Provinces.

Other

Nepal

Official Name: Kingdom of Nepal

Ruling Party: Panchayat^note Assembly

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

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• People's Republic of Tyranny: Ostensibly, Nepal is supposed to be a democracy, but it's really being ruled by Bikram, who wields absolute power in his country.

Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah

Role: Head of State

Party: Panchayat^note Assembly

Ideology: Aristocratic Conservatism^note Despotism

In-Game Biography ^{Click to Show}The great Sovereign King of Nepal, Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, had not always enjoyed absolute power over his subjects. Once, Bikram was just another member of the royal family, subject to the numerous boring duties a monarch bound by a constitutional and representative government. The Rana Dynasty, the conservative family which gave the nation its Prime Ministers since 1846, ensured that the country was ruled with an iron fist, and everyone obeyed the family, even the monarchy. Then, when India became a republic and revolts spread across Nepal, forcing the Rana family to concede power to the monarchy, Bikram saw his chance.

Four years after being crowned King, on a cold morning in December, Prime Minister Bishweshwar Koirala and the parliament he lead was dismissed. The cabinet was kicked out the door, and then the constitution was suspended. Now, with the nation at his command, a new system was in place. A perfected, "guided" democracy, that answered directly to him, and no one else. Surely, the Emperor has no equal; is it not his responsibility to direct the nation correctly?

He has been able to keep his country together; a combination of successful land reforms and a neutral policy has kept his kingdom from falling apart. But one has to wonder how long will this guided democracy last. Both Japan and India are looking to take the territory for themselves, and the Nepali Congress is promoting non-violent resistance against Bikram and his system. It will be interesting seeing how long this perfect system lasts, and whether it ends loudly or quietly.

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• Choosing Neutrality: Even though Nepal is the epicenter of numerous territorial disputes, Bikram has maintained his country's independence by sticking to a neutral foreign policy. Unfortunately, Japan and India are still growing eager to take some land for themselves.
• Let No Crisis Go to Waste: When India became a republic, mass revolts rose up against the ruling Rana Dynasty in Nepal and forced them to cede power to the monarchy. Bikram wasted no time to cement his power upon being crowned king, purging the cabinet of suspected enemies and suspending the constitution.

Republic of Ceylon

Official Name: Republic of Ceylon

Ruling Party: United National Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

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• Implausible Deniability: Seeking to subvert Japanese influence over Asia, Martin Bormann can arm Ceylon with nukes to threaten Japan, intimidating Germany's rival, while leaving enough deniability for them to avoid direct confrontation with them.

Dudley Senanayake

Role: Head of State

Party: United National Party

Ideology: Paternalistic Conservatism^note Conservatism

In-Game Biography: ^{Click to Show}For Dudley Shelton Senanayake, political life was not his first choice, but thanks to his family, an opportunity appeared for an extended career. Born into the prestigious Senanayake family and the eldest son of Don Stephen Senanayake, Dudley's education saw him gradually turn to a path in Ceylon's judicial system.

Yet, his father's desire to have his son join politics saw him rise to the State Council in 1936 and oversee the development of Dedigama as State Councillor for over ten years. During the debate on sovereignty in the 1940s, Dudley supported his father's choice of preferring Dominion status for Ceylon, yet did not join his father in resignation and earned the position of Minister of Agriculture and Lands, formerly held by his father. He kept this position after his father won the 1947 elections and served in this function until his father died unexpectedly in 1952. To the surprise of many, Dudley was chosen as prime minister by the Governor-General over his cousin Sir John Kotelawala, while he successfully led the UNP in the elections of 1952, he stepped down as Prime Minister the following year.

However, Dudley returned to politics in 1957 after the failures of the elections and returned the UNP to the majority in the 1960 elections. Despite his success, the issues facing Ceylon have not become less during his term, educational reforms and economic steadiness have been adequate, but the Sinhala matter and closer ties to India have caused minor unrest within the country. Ultimately, his career lies with the success of his policies, and whether he will bring victory or defeat in the next elections remains to be seen.

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• Allohistorical Allusion: In OTL, Senanayake has held a number of important political positions throughout the 60's in Ceylon, including the position of Prime Minister. In this timeline, Senanayake holds the same level of political prominence, even acting as head of state for Ceylon.

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