In 1789, upon the Indian subcontinent the growth of British power and trading interests has come into direct conflict with Tipou, the Tiger Sultan of Mysore, whose father had already disputed British power earlier in the century.
In Vietnam the Nguyen dynasty has displaced the Le dynasty with the aid of the Qing Chinese empire. The Nguyen dynasty has now begun a drive for territorial expansion allied to the Qing.
Across Indonesia the Dutch are slowly increasing their empire whilst the Spanish colonies in the Philippines have fallen into stagnation. 
The Portuguese retain control of Timor but are no longer a power in the east, whilst Japans Tokugawa rulers pursue a policy of strict isolation.
The ancient and vast Qing Chinese empire has suffered a revolt of its Muslim subject states in Turkestan, whilst the Ghurka warlords of Nepal are increasingly envious of Qing control of Tibet.
