With a point of divergence after 1900, how many monarchies can one fit in Asia?
With China, I find it rather unlikely for the Qing Monarchy to exist till the present-day. The possibilities of Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, and Korea retaining their monarchs post-colonialism is better, especially if Communism doesn't take hold as it did historically. As for Malaysia, perhaps some more monarchs could keep their thrones. For example, perhaps the Brooke family in Sarawak could keep their thrones as Rajas. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the local princely states might be able to remain around, somehow. As for Singapore and Indonesia, perhaps they could retain the British and Dutch monarchs in a Commonwealth-style monarchy. I imagine Burma is probably unlikely to restore its monarchy after it becomes independent, and I don't remember the situation with monarchy in Sri Lanka. Other countries which could retain monarchies, and didn't lose them until fairly recently, are Iraq, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan. As for the Ottoman Empire, I'm not sure it could survive, but I don't think it's impossible.
I think I've covered every possible monarchy in Asia, and this leaves only China, Syria, Lebanon, Philippines, and Israel as republics in Asia. The other option is to create new monarchies, or have more of them survive even if they're not currently historical states. E.g., the King of Sikkim continues to hold his own monarchy, or the Dalai Lama in an independent Tibet. In my opinion, the Middle Eastern and South Asian states are less likely to keep their kings, but the ones in Eastern Asia are more likely. Any thoughts?
With China, I find it rather unlikely for the Qing Monarchy to exist till the present-day. The possibilities of Mongolia, Vietnam, Laos, and Korea retaining their monarchs post-colonialism is better, especially if Communism doesn't take hold as it did historically. As for Malaysia, perhaps some more monarchs could keep their thrones. For example, perhaps the Brooke family in Sarawak could keep their thrones as Rajas. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, the local princely states might be able to remain around, somehow. As for Singapore and Indonesia, perhaps they could retain the British and Dutch monarchs in a Commonwealth-style monarchy. I imagine Burma is probably unlikely to restore its monarchy after it becomes independent, and I don't remember the situation with monarchy in Sri Lanka. Other countries which could retain monarchies, and didn't lose them until fairly recently, are Iraq, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan. As for the Ottoman Empire, I'm not sure it could survive, but I don't think it's impossible.
I think I've covered every possible monarchy in Asia, and this leaves only China, Syria, Lebanon, Philippines, and Israel as republics in Asia. The other option is to create new monarchies, or have more of them survive even if they're not currently historical states. E.g., the King of Sikkim continues to hold his own monarchy, or the Dalai Lama in an independent Tibet. In my opinion, the Middle Eastern and South Asian states are less likely to keep their kings, but the ones in Eastern Asia are more likely. Any thoughts?