Yashodhan Democracy

A defunct interstellar state once found in the Empty Quarter Sector. While the rimward Empty Quarter could be considered unchallenged Imperial territory from 35 Imperial, a handful of minor worlds within the region resisted Imperial authority to various degrees. Yashodhan (Empty Quarter 2635) was the most successful resistor, after defeating an Imperial force; it was able to lead a small interstellar state for centuries, consisting of itself, Selka (Empty Quarter 2536), and Niketan (Empty Quarter 2434). Although the Yashodhan Democracy was eventually broken up, Yashodhan remained free, and never was brought under Imperial jurisdiction.

Historical Details

The major failure of initial Imperial first contacts within the Empty Quarter was their encounter with the Hindu systems of Irash (Empty Quarter 2036) and Yashodhan, close trading partners. Imperial ambassadors did a good job in convincing the government of Irash to peacefully join the Imperium in 62. However, the political leadership of Yashodhan found the Imperial diplomats overbearing, arrogant, and threatening. They chose to create the interstellar Yashodhani Democracy in 63, compromising Yashodhan and the then-uninhabited worlds of Niketan and Selka. War was formally declared against the Imperium, with the goal of gaining Irash and the lesser systems surrounding her for the Democracy.

The unprepared Imperium, with its attention focused on Antares Sector, was ill-prepared for a conflict at the far end of The Empty Quarter. A hastily scratched-together force was soundly defeated at the Battle of Yashodhan in 64, and Democratic raiders managed to enforce a blockade at Irash. Not willing to commit the forces needed to secure a victory, the Imperium sued for peace, ending the Yashodhan War at 67 Imperial. The Imperium kept Irash and nearby systems, but agreed to recognize Yashodhani sovereignty and its rights to trade and communicate freely with its Imperial sister-world.

Collapse

Financial crises and resulting internecine conflict throughout the 300s weakened the democracy, until an Imperial Intervention was ordered 'to ensure the security of Imperial borders.' Imperial Navy forces struck at the Democratic Navy, destroying most of it in a single battle over the homeworld in 390. A large number of missiles were then fired at the major planetary cities – which turned out to be illumination missiles, detonating harmlessly in the air. The Yashodhani took the hint, and the major factions agreed to dissolve the interstellar polity, in return for the independence of the home system.

References and Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Alvin Plummer. "Hegemony, Republic, Duchy: Part II." Stellar Reaches 11 (2010): 5.